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
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
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
Enjoy an independent stay, where you follow the program at your own pace.
Independently
Independently
Progress at your own pace and according to your desires 🌏
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
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
Métabief ou Jougne
Day 1
: 18h00
End of stay
Lelex.
Day 7
- 10h00
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
Take the train toGare de Frasnes
Frasnes TGV station (Paris - Lausanne line) + SNCF bus to Métabief and Jougne
Train schedules are available at https://www.oui.sncf/billet-train/horaires
Travel to the place of stay
Find out about parking options nearby
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 : CHF190.00 / person
- Luggage transfer for 1 person : CHF213.75 / person
- Luggage transfer for 2 people : CHF128.25 / person
- Luggage transfer for 3 to 4 people : CHF95.00 / person
- Luggage transfer for 5 or more people : CHF76.00 / person
- 5 Picnics : CHF45.60 / person
- Return transfer from Lelex to Métabief - Return transfer from Lelex to Métabief : CHF142.50 / reservation
- Additional hiking file : CHF24.70 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Equipment
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Decathlon Travel Partner
The Karine & Emma team
4.6/5
(304 reviews)
• 96 stays
With over 25 years of experience, our local partner specializes in hiking in the heart of the Northern Alps, the Jura Mountains, and the Vosges Mountains. They offer a variety of routes, which can be explored independently with a guidebook or in small, friendly groups of 8 to 12 people. Their real added value? Guiding provided by qualified professionals who live and work year-round in these mountain ranges, offering an intimate knowledge of the terrain. Committed to sustainable tourism, all their trips are designed to be easily accessible by train, combining logistical simplicity with respect for the environment.
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