Terre du Jura
HikingModerateFrom June to mid-October

From the lakes to Mont d’Or (demonstration)

A three-night trek from Château de Joux to the source of the Doubs, via Lake Saint-Point and the slopes of Mont d’Or.

in stages
3 nights
in stages
in total
44.8 km
in total
of ascent
+1,273 m
of ascent
of walking
14 h 45 min
of walking

Overview

Sample route: the accommodation options are fictitious. Route: Grande Traversée du Jura, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). An accessible walking tour in the heart of the Haut-Doubs: you leave the Pontarlier gorge, guarded by the Château de Joux, walk alongside Lake Saint-Point, then head for the pastures of Mont d’Or before reaching Mouthe and the source of the Doubs. Three stages ranging from 8 to 21 km along the Grande Traversée du Jura route, ideal for a first hiking trip.
Start
La Cluse-et-Mijoux, at the foot of Joux Castle (5 km from Pontarlier)
Season
From June to mid-October
Getting there and back
Getting there: take the train to Pontarlier, then a coach or taxi to La Cluse-et-Mijoux. Return: take the coach from Mouthe to Pontarlier (check timetables).

Map and profile

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  • 1 Stage village
  • Partner accommodation
  • Successive stages

Elevation profile

Hover over or tap the profile to follow the route on the map.

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The stages

  1. 1
    Stage 1: Malbuisson

    Night in Malbuisson

    Moderate

    La Cluse-et-Mijoux, at the foot of Joux Castle (5 km from Pontarlier) → Malbuisson

    • 15.5 km
    • +389 m / −545 m
    • 5 h 5 min
    • high point 1055 m

    From the Château de Joux, the path climbs through the forest before reaching Lake Saint-Point, which you follow as far as Malbuisson.

    Highlights
    Château de Joux; the shores of Lake Saint-Point; swimming in summer
    Food and supplies
    Shops and restaurants in Malbuisson
    Access
    Pontarlier railway station, a few kilometres from the starting point
  2. 2
    Stage 2: Les Hôpitaux-Neufs

    Night in Les Hôpitaux-Neufs

    Easy

    Malbuisson → Les Hôpitaux-Neufs

    • 8.3 km
    • +256 m / −161 m
    • 2 h 40 min
    • high point 1090 m

    A short stage through forests and pastures to the foot of Mont d’Or: the afternoon is free to visit a cheese dairy or the resort of Métabief.

    Highlights
    Mont-d’Or cheese dairies; Métabief resort
    Food and supplies
    Shops in Les Hôpitaux-Neufs and Métabief
    Access
    Car Pontarlier – Métabief (check timetables)
  3. 3
    Stage 3: Mouthe

    Night in Mouthe

    Moderate

    Les Hôpitaux-Neufs → Mouthe

    • 20.9 km
    • +640 m / −698 m
    • 7 h
    • high point 1428 m

    A long stage on the slopes of Mont d’Or, offering views as far as the Alps on a clear day, followed by a descent towards Mouthe and the source of the River Doubs.

    Highlights
    Mont d’Or (1,463 m); source of the Doubs
    Food and supplies
    Bring a packed lunch; shops in Mouthe
    Access
    Car Mouthe – Pontarlier (check timetables)

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