Doubs and Dessoubre

Doubs and Dessoubre, two rivers, two valleys that shape and mold the landscapes of Doubs Horloger Regional Natural Park in which is located the Pays Horloger.

The Dessoubre

Go up the river from Saint-Hippolyte. From this characterful village where it flows into the Doubs, follow the Dessoubre for 33 kilometers to the Consolation Circus where it takes its source.

Discover this picturesque and unspoiled valley which offers a exceptional environmental wealth. With each season, the landscape changes colors and remains a pleasure for the eyes of both locals and visitors on excursions. It is a paradise for fishermen and Team walkers who appreciate the surrounding calm.

As a couple, with family, with friends, bring your picnic and enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating moment. During the scorching summer months, it's always cool on the banks of the Dessoubre! Come and dip your feet in; the river isn't very deep, making it ideal for families with young children. Finish your visit by going to see the Consolation Circus, an impressive wild retreat. You will find small family hikes, waterfalls, which in winter or spring offer a beautiful spectacle, small caves but also an ancient monastery open to visitors.

Finally, to have an exceptional view of the valley, climb to the Priest Rock lookout point, on foot or by car (direction Guyans-Vennes), take out your camera to keep a memory of this green nature.

Enjoy the Dessoubre

Hiking along the Dessoubre

1. Special family hike in Waroly

This family hike promises the most imaginative an immersion in a magical world where elves are not far away. Stream, tufa and numerous waterfalls mark the route. Haven of tranquility and freshness, you will be immersed all along the path in a wild, preserved and mysterious atmosphere, where once the mountaineers officiated their Celtic rituals... You will be nice and cool there, that's for sure, you will be able to approach the Dessoubre, and who knows, observe a fly fisherman in silence.

2. Sports hike “The Banks of the Dessoubre”

This hike is for experienced hikers. This pretty loop takes you from the heights to the banks of the Dessoubre River, boasting a variety of kilometers and elevation gains.

The Dessoubre Valley, a Natura 2000 site to be respected

Before leaving on the trails, or settling down for a picnic, here is some very useful information, in the form of a code of good conduct to understand this exceptional natural site with the good attitude.

The Doubs

453 kilometers long, the Doubs crosses 3 departments. It crosses the Pays Horloger while making a short detour through Switzerland.

All along the river, the landscapes are different and change colors with each season. This makes the walkers, kayakers, fishermen, motorcyclists, locals or tourists who like to recharge their batteries there, discover it or rediscover it. Navigate the Doubs basins in autumn during a boat trip or a canoeing and believe you are in Canada, visit the Doubs Gorges following the road of Morteau in Pontarlier, or even gain height to contemplate its course and the Jura landscape, this river offers you a multitude of possibilities to discover it on foot, by car, by motorbike, by boat.

Take the time to go see the Leap of the Doubs, fall of 27 meters, Goumois, the Franco-Swiss pearl, where the Doubs forms the border between France and Switzerland, the Entreroches parade where you will be between river and mountain or contemplate it from the many belvederes.

Who says river, says fishing, and in Pays Horloger, the Doubs offers several routes very popular with fishermen where different varieties of fish coexist and which we like to taste in the many restaurants.

Enjoy the Doubs

1. From the Saut du Doubs to the Châtelot dam

Unmissable in the Val de Morteau with the Leap of the Doubs as a highlight and three belvederes, 2 in France and the other in Switzerland accessible using a footbridgeThe hike, on the French side, runs along the Moron Lake, reservoir of the Châtelot damThis is where the difficulty begins with the climb to the Châtelard viewpoint. The view of the lake is magnificent! The ridge path continues then descends back to the starting point through forests and meadows.

2. On both sides of the border

An accessible hike, without too much elevation gain, to cool off in summer. Enjoy thethe freshness of the forest and have a little Swiss side getawayThe route allows for several very pleasant stops, such as the chapel and the drinks break on the terrace on the Swiss side. This hike will take you follow the banks of the Doubs on the French and Swiss sides, a true “Franco-Swiss Pearl”

3. The banks of the Doubs

A nice hike that allows you to follow the Doubs and discover this place rich in its past smuggling with an atypical name, the Death Valley ! You will initially take the famous Scales of Death...