Hiking in the Jura

The Jura département extends over 4,999 km² in the eponymous range, a karstic chain bordering Switzerland. Far from the high altitude of the Alps, the Jura offers accessible mid-mountain: high plateaus (Hautes Combes, Haut-Bugey), spectacular limestone reculées (Baume-les-Messieurs), glacial lakes and waterfalls. The Crêt Pela (1,495 m) is the highest point. The département is crossed by the Grande Traversée du Jura (GTJ) and several long-distance trails (GR 5 variant, GR 9, GR 559).

Lons-le-Saunier and Dole are served by TER from Dijon or Lyon. The region is very accessible by car from Lyon (1h30) and Geneva (1h).

Best season: May to October for hiking, December to March for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Plateau hikes (Hautes Combes) remain accessible late in the season. Fog is frequent in autumn and spring at lower elevations — weather is often clearer at altitude.

The 127 routes we offer cover the whole Jura range, from family lake walks to the full traverse via the GTJ.