L'Echappée Jurassienne: hikes among lakes and waterfalls

Situated in the heart of the countryside, with beautiful views over the surrounding valley, you'll soon be charmed by this small mountain village and its surroundings, which are particularly rich in natural sites. Just a stone's throw away, the Lac de Bonlieu awaits you for a bucolic stroll along its banks...

Day 1: In the late afternoon, between 4.00 and 6.00 pm, arrive and settle into your accommodation***. Dinner and overnight stay.
After a good night's sleep, Jura Tourisme invites you to get down to business with 3 superb walks from the TopoGuides® "Le Jura... à pied".

Day 2: Le Tour des 4 lacs (PR 33) - Difficult: 4h30/14km (shorter option: 3h/12km)
After breakfast, take your vehicle to the starting point of this walk, which is located in the hamlet of "La Fromagerie" (4km / 5 minutes). Borrowing a large part of the route of the Échappée Jurassienne, this is a beautiful walk around the plateau of the 4 lakes (Ilay, Narlay du Petit and Grand Maclu) allowing you to walk around them and enjoy the richness of their preserved flora and fauna. Swimming is forbidden in these glacial lakes, which is a godsend for anglers, who can cast their lines in the peace and quiet. But anglers aren't the only ones to enjoy these lakes, and hikers are not to be outdone either. As you climb the rocky promontory overlooking the 4 lakes, you'll be treated to some superb views. From the 4 lakes lookout, the 3 lakes lookout and the Pic de l'Aigle, you can admire the Vallée du Hérisson and the 7 lakes plateau below. A breathtaking hike you'll remember for a long time!
Remember to pack a picnic lunch before setting off, as refreshment points are rare on this hike.
At the end of the day, return to your accommodation ***: dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Les Cascades du Hérisson (PR32) - Average: 4h/12.5km
After breakfast, still from your hotel (with a return walk along the forest road to Moulin Jeunet), set off for a few hours of particularly refreshing hiking. Following the route of the emblematic Échappée Jurassienne, you'll hike along the Hérisson, the tumultuous river that gave its name to the valley! You're not sure you'll spot the animal along the way, but you're sure to be thrilled by the fabulous Cascades du Hérisson... 7 large waterfalls ranging in height from 30 to 65 metres follow one another over a few kilometres, while there are more than thirty jumps throughout the valley. A white-water spectacle not to be missed. The walk then takes you as far as the village of Menétrux-en-Joux, from where you can admire the valley and in particular the Eventail waterfall from a magnificent vantage point!
Refreshments are available along the way at the Maison des Cascades, Menétrux-en-Joux and the hamlet of La Fromagerie (remember to book in advance). This hike is best done in spring and late autumn, or after a heavy spell of rain, so that the water level is at its highest, and you can return home with unforgettable memories... and some great photos!
At the end of the day, return to your *** accommodation: dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Chalain (PR31) - Average: 3h30/13km
From your hotel, take the road to Fontenu (15km / 15'), the starting point for this 3rd hike, which takes you around Lake Chalain, the largest natural lake in the Jura. Particularly popular with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts in summer (the water easily reaches 25°C in summer). Lac de Chalain, set in a green setting, is dominated in part by limestone cliffs offering beautiful panoramic views, making it a particularly pleasant spot for hikers.
For lunch, you'll need to leave the route and head for Doucier or one of the lake's 3 beaches. So make sure you have enough food for a dip before you set off.
At the end of the day, return to your *** accommodation: dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5 :
Breakfast, end of services. The room must be vacated by 10.00 am.

As well as your hikes, make the most of your stay to discover the 2 lakes of Clairvaux, the combe du Grandvaux and the market town of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux, or the Champagnole region and its sites of La Billaude, Les Pertes de l'Ain or the Gorges de la Langouette. You can also enjoy a swim, try your hand at paddle-boarding or kayaking on the River Ain, visit the boissellerie du Hérisson or sample Jura cheeses at one of the many fruitières in the area.

PLEASE NOTE: the accommodation is closed on Sunday evenings and all day Mondays until the end of June and from 1/9/2024. The restaurant is closed on Mondays in July and August.
Not possible from 27/4 to 01/5/2024 and from 2 to 7/8/2024.