L’Echappée Jurassienne – Haut-Jura
A stay in the heart of the Jura mountains to discover the green landscapes and mountain lakes
On this final section of the Echappée Jurassienne, the route crosses the Jura high plateau, with its unique geology, dense forests, lakes and series of combes.
The hike begins at the rhythm of the water, following the narrow gorges of the Saine and Lemme rivers to reach the refreshing spruce forests of Risoux and Massacre, gateways to the high Jura combes. Then it’s downhill to the pipe city of Saint Claude, capital of pipes and diamonds. This is a land rich in nature and tradition!
This holiday combines the discovery of lush green landscapes and mountain lakes with that of the Jura’s heritage: the Fort des Rousses refining cellars or Saint-Claude cathedral, but also the skills of lapidaries, eyewear makers, watchmakers, …
Self-guided hiking tour – 7 days – Departure possible from May to September, depending on your availability and budget.
Program
Day 1
Pont de la Chaux
Reception at the hotel*** in Pont de la Chaux from 4:30pm.
Day 2
Pont de la Chaux – Foncine le Haut (22 km; +655 m)
The hiking stage from Pont-de-la-Chaux to Foncine-le-Haut on the Échappée Jurassienne offers a picturesque experience through the lush green landscapes of the Jura, with winding paths through forests and panoramic mountain views, offering hikers an authentic immersion in Jura nature. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3
Foncine le Haut – Bellefontaine (22 km; + 650 m)
The stage from Foncine-le-Haut to Bellefontaine on the Échappée Jurassienne reveals the wild beauty of the Jura, with passages through the Risoux forest, offering shady paths and picturesque clearings. Hikers can also enjoy spectacular views from the Mont Noir ridge, adding a panoramic dimension to this stage. Night in hotel.
Day 4
Bellefontaine – Bief de La Chaille (20 km; + 660 m)
The stage from Bellefontaine to Bief de La Chaille on the Échappée Jurassienne offers a variety of landscapes, from the peaceful pastures and high-altitude lakes of Bellefontaine to the wooded trails winding through the Lac de Remoray nature reserve. Hikers can enjoy the diversity of ecosystems, with panoramic views over the lake and an immersion in the unspoilt nature of the Jura. Overnight in a gîte d’étape.
Day 5
Bief de La Chaille – Portes des Hautes Combes – Hameau du Manon (18 km; +475 m)
The stage from Bief de La Chaille to Portes des Hautes Combes and the hamlet of Manon on the Échappée Jurassienne reveals the splendor of the Hautes Combes, with trails through dense forests and alpine meadows. Hikers will be enchanted by the rolling landscapes, crystal-clear streams and unobstructed views of the Jura peaks, offering an immersive experience in the heart of this unspoilt region. Night in a guest room.
Day 6
Hameau du Manon – Saint-Claude (17.5 km; + 575 m)
The stage from the hamlet of Manon to Saint-Claude on the Échappée Jurassienne offers a picturesque descent through wooded paths, gradually revealing the lush green valleys leading to the town. In Saint-Claude, hikers will discover a charming town nestled in the heart of the Jura, famous for its medieval streets, diamond craftsmen and rich historical heritage, including the majestic Saint-Pierre cathedral. Night in a guest room.
Day 7
Saint-Claude
End of the stay after breakfast. Return by train from Saint-Claude to Pont de la Chaux.
Map
Practical information
Welcome: Daily welcome from 5:00 pm at the hotel in Pont de La Chaux (39150) – Handing over of the hiking file.
Dismissal: End of your hike at Saint Claude station. Return by train to Pont de la Chaux (approx. €11). Timetable for daily trains from Saint Claude to Chaux des Crotenay: Monday to Sunday: 9.54am – 5.25pm
Supervision: unaccompanied hiking tour
Accommodation: 4 nights in a hotel, 1 night in a gîte d’étape and 1 night in a B&B. Based on 2-person room. with private sanitation. In the gîte d’étape, sanitary facilities are on the landing. The contact details of the accommodation will be provided to you with your hiking file.
Access: By car, Pont de La Chaux (commune of Chaux des Crotenay) is located in the Jura department (39), on the Besançon – Geneva axis. 14 km from Champagnole on the RN5. 55 km from Pontarlier on D471 then RN5. 30 km from Les Rousses on the RN5. By train, Chaux des Crotenay SNCF station (The station is located at Pont de la Chaux).
Parking: For the duration of the hike, you can leave your car in the free parking lot at the Chaux des Crotenay SNCF station, or in the free parking lot opposite the hotel.
Meals: Half-board: dinner, overnight stay and breakfast. For each stage, dinners are taken in the hotel restaurant or at a table d’hôte.
Lunch: In your route booklet, we indicate the various refreshment and catering options along your itinerary for each stage. They are often numerous on this route.
Luggage transport: Luggage transported by vehicle. We ask that you have only one piece of luggage per person, not too bulky, weighing no more than 13 kg. You only carry a bag with your belongings for the day.
Dates
Departures possible from May 15 to September 30. Departure possible on the following days: – From 6/7 to 1/9: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – From 15/5 to 5/7 and from 1/9 to 30/9: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please note that departures are not possible on the following dates: – From Wednesday 11/6 to Friday 13/6 inclusive – Monday 30/6 to Wednesday 9/7 inclusive – From Thursday 14/8 to Saturday 16/8 inclusive – From Wednesday 3/9 to Friday 5/9 inclusive
Prices
Below is the price list per person for the year 2025. The price depends mainly on the number of nights required, the type of room and luggage transport.
| Double room | Single room | |||
| Avec transport des bagages | Sans transport des bagages | Avec transport des bagages | Sans transport des bagages | |
| 6 nights | 855,00 € | – € | 1.010,00 € | – € |
Prices are per person.
Price includes :
- Accommodation with half board at each stage
- Luggage transport
- A road book
- The FFRP topoguide
- Loan of 1/25000 maps + map holder + GPS track (logbook)
Price does not include :
- drinks
- picnics (optional picnics available for €61 per person)
- Return by train
- The train back to Pont de la Chaux
- Personal expenses and insurance
- Everything not mentioned in the “Price includes” section.
From
855,00 €
Highlights
- Discover lush green landscapes and mountain lakes
- Excellent food
- Luggage transport
In pictures
