4- or 5-day hiking trip in the Jura Mountains: Echappée Jurassienne

There are some trips where every step is a reward. The Echappée Jurassienne hiking tour through the Jura Mountains is one of them. For four or five days, you’ll hike through a landscape that’s completely unfamiliar to most Dutch people: rolling vineyards, dramatic cliffs, narrow valleys that suddenly open up, and villages that seem to have been frozen in a more peaceful era.

The Jura, between Burgundy and the Swiss border, is the part of France known for its quiet roads. No mass tourism, but a rich culture of wine, cheese, and hiking. You hike on your own, your luggage is forwarded each day, and in the evening you round off the day with dinner and a glass of Ploussard or Vin Jaune.

You can book the Echappée Jurassienne directly through the local specialist in the Jura.

What makes the Jura Mountains so special?

The hiking trail is part of France’s “Grands Itinéraires Pédestres”: the country’s most iconic hiking trails. What sets it apart from other hiking trails is its combination of varied landscapes and culinary delights. In a single day, you’ll hike through vineyards, past a waterfall, over limestone ridges, and through meadows filled with Montbéliarde cows. Along the way: a cheese tasting, a panoramic viewpoint, and a glass of local Comté wine.

These are semi-itinerant hikes: you sleep in a different place every night, but without the hassle of carrying a heavy backpack. Your luggage (max. 13 kg per person) is shipped each day to your next accommodation. You hike freely with just a daypack.

Echappée Jurassienne: The Route, Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival in Pupillin: First Steps Through the Vineyards

Your journey begins in Pupillin, a picturesque wine-growing town three kilometers from Arbois, the quintessential wine village of the Jura. The well-maintained houses, the flowers along the facades, and the tranquility of the square: this is the real French countryside.

The first day starts off gently: a 6-kilometer walk through the vineyards (about 1.5 hours, 183 m elevation gain), with sweeping panoramic views of the Pupillin vineyards. Along the way, you’ll stop at the local wine cooperative for a tasting of Ploussard, the Jura’s signature red grape variety, which originated here.

In the evening, you’ll check in at your guesthouse, followed by dinner at the table d’hôtes.

Day 2: From Pupillin through the Reculée des Planches

23.8 km | approx. 7 hours | +902 m

This is the day when the Jura really comes into its own. The Reculée des Planches is one of those landscapes you don’t expect: a deep, dramatic valley carved into the limestone plateau, surrounded by cliffs and dense green forests.

The route winds its way past wine towns and villages, passes the panoramic Roche du Feu viewpoint with its 180-degree view, and then descends to the Tufs Waterfall, where the Cuisance River creates a natural spectacle.

After the climb to the Fer à Cheval lookout point, you’ll return to Pupillin via the village panorama. A day full of character—one that requires good physical conditioning but rewards you with wonderful memories.

Day 3: From Pupillin to Passenans via Buvilly

20.7 km | approx. 6h 20m | +853 m

After breakfast, a short ten-minute transfer to Buvilly, from where the route gently descends toward Poligny, the historic “capital of Comté.” A visit to the Maison du Comté (optional) will give you insight into the production of this AOP cheese, one of the most refined in France.

Next, you’ll climb up to the Croix du Dan, which offers breathtaking views of Poligny and the Vaux Valley. You’ll walk through meadows dotted with grazing Montbéliarde cows before the trail leads you through vineyards to the charming village of Passenans.

Check in at a hotel with a view of vineyards and meadows, followed by a hearty dinner.

Day 4: Departure from Passenans (or: an extra day)

After breakfast, the choice is yours: a transfer back to Pupillin to pick up your car, or to the train station. Check-out is at 12:00, but your luggage can be stored until your departure. If you’d like, you can take a walk around the village.

Optional 5th day: from Passenans to Château-Chalon

If you’d like to see more: add an extra day and hike from Passenans through the vineyards to Frontenay; then head up to Château-Chalon, one of the most beautiful villages in France (recognized as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France). The view of the Jura vineyards is at its best here, and at the Maison de la Haute Seille, you’ll discover the legendary Vin Jaune, the region’s most distinctive wine.

Accommodations: guesthouse and hotel in the vineyards

You’ll stay in carefully selected, small-scale accommodations: a bed-and-breakfast (chambre d’hôtes) with dinner served at the table d’hôtes in Pupillin, and a comfortable 3-star hotel overlooking the vineyards and meadows in Passenans. All rooms have a private bathroom; breakfast and dinner are included daily (half-board).

Practical Information

Fitness Level: Suitable for hikers in good physical condition. You’ll hike 16 to 25 km per day (about 8 hours), sometimes with an elevation gain of up to 1,000 m. Trails may be slippery, steep, or have steps.

Nearest train station: Arbois (3 km from Pupillin). A transfer from the station to Pupillin can be booked as an optional extra.

Booking: You can book directly with our local specialist in the Jura through Nature Travel Lab.

Distance to Pupillin: approx. 779 km from Utrecht.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in the Jura Mountains

How challenging is the hiking trip through the Jura Mountains?

The hiking days are challenging: you’ll cover 20 to 24 kilometers with elevation gains of up to 900 meters. This requires a good level of basic fitness and hiking experience. Day 1 is a gentle starter at just 6 kilometers—ideal for acclimatizing.

Is this hiking trip self-guided or guided?

The trip is completely self-guided. You’ll receive a detailed hiking guide with route descriptions and maps. There is no guide accompanying you, but you’ll be hiking on a well-marked and well-traveled trail that is part of the official French Grands Itinéraires Pédestres.

When is the best time of year to go hiking in the Jura Mountains?

The trail is open from March 1 through October 30. Spring (April–June) is ideal: the vineyards are in bloom, the waterfalls are at their most powerful, and the temperatures are pleasant for hiking. September and October are also beautiful, with the grape harvest in full swing.

Can I also go on this walking tour by myself?

Yes, solo travelers are welcome. A single room supplement applies. Please contact Nature Travel Lab for current prices and availability.

What makes the Jura special compared to other hiking regions in France?

The Jura combines scenic diversity (vineyards, cliffs, waterfalls, cheese pastures) with an exceptional culinary heritage that is rarely found in such concentration elsewhere in Europe. Comté AOP, Vin Jaune, Ploussard: this is a region you taste, not just see. And tourism here has never become mass tourism: you’ll walk along trails that most Dutch people don’t know about.

How do I book this hiking trip in the Jura?

You can book directly with our local specialist through Nature Travel Lab. This way, you support local businesses and have more of your budget left for the trip itself. Submit the form to check availability and provide your preferred travel dates.

Jura Mountains Hiking Trip on the Map