In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationBurgundy-Franche-Comté / Jura
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AgeFrom 12 - 85 years
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CO₂-Emissions70.1 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Come hike the trails of the Jura Mountains! From north to south, the route will lead you to discover this unique mountain range . The paths are lined with flora and fauna specific to the Jura : orchids, gentians, fir trees, but also foxes, chamois, and with a bit of luck, capercaillies, the region's emblematic animal ! On the Jura peaks, admire breathtaking views of the Alps and Lake Geneva. Discover the charm of the villages along the way and their rich culture. Embarking on the Great Jura Crossing means enjoying the tranquility and singularity of the Jura's natural beauty while taking on a physical challenge during your vacation!
The highlights
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A route that crosses the highest point of the mountain range
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Unique landscapes and cuisine
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Breathtaking views of the Alps
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 22 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 508 m
- Average daily descent: 517 m
- Maximum altitude: 1180 m
Management
Program
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Meet at Métabief (950 m) or Jougne (970 m).
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You will be expected and welcomed at your hotel in Métabief from 6pm onwards.
Shuttle service from Frasnes TGV station or Pontarlier SNCF station (at your own expense)
Day 1 -
Métabief / Jougne – Mouthe (950 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 640 m
- Negative elevation 640 m
- Maximum altitude 950 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You will leave the village to climb Mont d'Or (1419 m). At the summit, the view is unobstructed: the peaks of the Bernese Oberland and Valais are directly opposite. One of the most beautiful views of the Alps! You will begin the descent towards Mouthe, crossing the Franco-Swiss alpine pastures dotted with large farms. You will end the day at the source of the Doubs River, revealing springs typical of limestone massifs.
Day 2 -
Mouthe - Chapelle des Bois (1090 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 21 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Maximum altitude 1090 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Mouthe is renowned for its cold records and for its Olympic champion Fabrice Guy, medalist at the Albertville Olympics (1992).
You begin the day by following the valley to Chaux-Neuve, where a visit to the ski jumps is a must: thrills guaranteed! Then the path climbs gently through the Mont-Noir forest to the old alpine hut of Près d'Haut before descending to Chapelle des Bois. This stage deviates from the GTJ (Grande Traversée du Jura) to follow the GR 5 (Grande Randonnée 5)!
Day 3 -
Chapelle des Bois – Les Rousses (1150m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 23 km
- Positive elevation gain 480 m
- Negative elevation 415 m
- Maximum altitude 1150 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Your day begins with a climb to reach Roche Champion; the effort is rewarded by the plunging view over the village with its 2 lakes and its peat bog.
The Risoux is the quintessential Jura forest: narrow spruce trees, prized by luthiers, numerous limestone pavements, and a few lumberjacks' cabins. Pass through the village of Les Rousses, the watershed between the Rhine and the Rhône, before reaching your accommodation in La Cure.
Day 4 -
Les Rousses – Lajoux (1180 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 21 km
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 430 m
- Maximum altitude 1180 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After crossing the plateau, you climb into the Massacre forest to reach its highest point, Crêt Pela (1495 m), where a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc awaits. The gentle descent to Lajoux follows the Combe à La Chèvre, populated by… heifers.
In the village of Lajoux you can visit the house of the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park before reaching your accommodation located in Manon.
Day 5 -
Lajoux – Lelex (890 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 24 km
- Positive elevation gain 570 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Maximum altitude 890 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This final stage is an immersion in the heart of the Hautes Combes, the soul of the massif!
The route begins with a crossing of the Platières (1330 m), from where you can admire the Jura Mountains, the last barrier before the descent to Lake Geneva. A stop at the Moussières cheese dairy offers the chance to observe the production of Comté cheese and to taste it! Then the scattered hamlets of Bellecombe offer sweeping vistas. And finally, the descent to the Valserine valley…
Day 6 -
Lelex
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, you can pack your things for the end of your stay!
Day 7
Note
Extensions:
Extension 1 : It is possible to add a 2nd night in Les Rousses to do a loop hike to the summit of La Dôle (1677 m), a pretty summit which reveals two very different sides and shelters a colony of Chamois.
Distance: 14 km Elevation gain: +650 m; -650 m Walking time: 5 hours
Extension 2 : It is possible to add a second night in Lelex to climb the Crêt de la Neige (1720 m), the highest point in the Jura mountains. Depending on whether you use the cable car, which only operates on weekends in July and August, or not, the difficulty varies.
Distance: 8 km Elevation gain/loss: +280 m / -280 m Walking time: 3h30
Distance: 13 km Elevation gain/loss: +810 m / -810 m Walking time: 5h30
Accommodation
Access
Day 7 in Lelex at the start of the day
Return car : private shuttle available as an option (see "dates and prices" section)
Return train :
Bellegarde TGV station (Geneva - Paris line)
Lelex shuttle 1:50pm – Bellegarde 2:45pm every day except Sunday (€2/person to be paid on site – other times at 8:45am or 9:10am on Tue, Fri and Sat)
Taxi for a private transfer: AB Taxi 07.76.23.08.85 (approximately €75).
Go to the starting point
Frasnes TGV station (Paris - Lausanne line) + SNCF bus to Métabief and Jougne
Train schedules are available at https://www.oui.sncf/billet-train/horaires
Métabief is 18 km from Pontarlier
Price details
The price includes
- Organizing the hike
- Half-board accommodation
- Tourist tax
- Hiking guide
The price does not include
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Means of transport to the meeting place
- The “solo supplement” if you are travelling alone
- Return transfer
- Individual equipment
- Extras
Options
- Single room : CHF182.96 / person
- Luggage transfer for 1 person : CHF205.83 / person
- Luggage transfer for 2 people : CHF123.50 / person
- Luggage transfer for 3 to 4 people : CHF91.48 / person
- Luggage transfer for 5 or more people : CHF73.18 / person
- 5 Picnics : CHF43.91 / person
- Return transfer from Lelex to Métabief - Return transfer from Lelex to Métabief : CHF137.22 / reservation
- Additional hiking file : CHF23.78 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the formalities required for entry and stay in the destination country.
You can also consult this information on the France Diplomatie website (https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/). In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries through which you transit.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after your return), visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations.
And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other possible obligations of the country of destination or transit.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Please note that extension 1 to La Dôle crosses into Switzerland; it is necessary to have insurance covering mountain rescue costs which can be high in Switzerland.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
HIKING GUIDE
- 1 GTJ-FFRP guidebook with extract of 1/50,000 scale maps
- 1 guidebook written by us, supplementing the previous one
- 1 map at 1/75,000 scale with highlighted route
Equipment to bring
- 1 sun hat or cap
- 1 scarf
- Short-sleeved T-shirts made of breathable material (1 for 2 to 3 days of walking)
- 1 long-sleeved base layer in breathable material or a shirt
- 1 fleece fur jacket
- 1 Gore-Tex type waterproof and breathable windproof jacket with hood
- 1 rain poncho or a sleeping bag cover if you own the jacket above
- 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers
- 1 pair of underwear (can be used in the evening at the campsite)
- Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of walking) – opt for wool or specific hiking socks, avoid cotton which promotes blisters
- 1 pair of hiking boots that provide good ankle support, are waterproof, and have a Vibram-type sole (test them before use, especially if they are new or have not been used for a long time)
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 pair of comfortable trousers for the evening
- 1 pair of lightweight casual shoes for the evening
- 1 backpack of 35/40 litres with a flexible frame, equipped with a waist belt and allowing for the attachment of snowshoes
- 1 large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack
- 1 pair of high-quality sunglasses with side protection
- 1 thermos or a preferably insulated water bottle (1.5 liters minimum)
- 1 Opinel-type pocket knife
- 1 small waterproof pouch for storing money, ID card, health insurance card and assistance contract
- Toiletries (prioritize the essentials: small containers, samples, travel kits)
- 1 quick-drying bath towel (if economy option)
- Earplugs or earplugs (optional)
- Toilet paper + 1 garbage bag
- Sunscreen + lip balm
- 1 airtight plastic container (minimum capacity 0.5 L) + cup + cutlery
- 1 headlamp or flashlight
- 1 survival blanket
- 1 sleeping bag (if economy option)
- Camera, binoculars (optional)
Clothing to bring
- Long-sleeved undershirt in breathable fabric
- Warm fleece
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket
- Comfortable clothes
- Swimsuit
- Hat/cap
They traveled with us
