Au fil du Doubs

This hike does full justice to its name. The trail leads from Les Brenets near La Chaux-de-Fonds to St. Ursanne, almost always alongside the River Doubs and crossing the Doubs Regional National Park from west to east.

From the Les Brenets stop, the 68-kilometre hike begins at its highest point, at around 870 m. The path leads through forest to Lac des Brenets, a natural impoundment on the French-Swiss border. Shortly afterwards, the Doubs plunges 27 metres over the rocks at Saut-du-Doubs. At Lac de Moron, the route follows the shore to the Barrage du Châtelot.

The mountain path then becomes rougher in the Gorges du Doubs and winds through wooded slopes. Later, forest alternates with open pastures until the path reaches the artificially dammed Lac de Biaufond and the houses of Biaufond. The route continues over more hills to Goumois.

From Goumois onwards, the Doubs remains the route’s constant companion for around 25 kilometres. The hiking trail follows its loops through the deeply incised, predominantly wooded valley and passes through Soubey. After one final alternation between riverbank, forest and open heights, the path descends to Saint-Ursanne. The destination lies near the St-Ursanne, Pont St-Jean/ville stop.