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SNOWSHOE HIKING OR SIMPLY HIKING ON FOOT
Walking with snowshoes is the simplest and oldest way to walk in the snow. Both snowshoing and hiking on foot have became major winter-sport activities. You only need to know how to walk to be able to take your first steps on snowshoes, of course if you’re in good condition. 10 centimeters of powder snow are enough for you to feel like you’re floating on the white planet of the Jura.
Snowshoes have gained in popularity over the past few years and are now available at every Jura winter resort. Nowhere else is as well-equipped for this sport as the medium-altitude Jura Mountain chain.
Different trails have been set out for ‘snowshoers’ or hikers, where they make their way as they please without disturbing skiers. 3 options exist:
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On your own, in unspoilt snow, by necessity taking care not to disturb protected wildlife or plants. Good physical condition and knowledge of the rules for protecting the environment (biotopic zones, natura 2000, zico..)
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Marked out snowshoe itineraries, comparable to summer hiking trails. These require average physical condition.
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Marked out and packed snowshoe trails offering various services (maps, sometimes rest areas…), located in sectors where animals are protected (such as the breeding ground for the capercaillie, where they lay their eggs) as well as plants. These trails are easy, accessible and adapted for families. A small fee for upkeep is sometimes requested.
If you wish to go beyond a simple snowshoe outing, do not hesitate to call on professionals. You’ll be able to follow the tracks left in the snow by animals, learn about the villages you encounter, of the secrets of the forest as you go through them and the religiously kept traditions of the Jura Mountains. Many villages organise ‘outings’ by night, with the blue snow glittering in the moonlight and shining under the glare of helmet lamps. All this, crowned by a meal at an Alpine chalet, will be among the glorious memories you will take home.
Contact : snamjura.free.fr
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Marked out snowshoe trails
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Domains
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Number
of trails
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Total
kilometers
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Les Fourgs / Métabief / La Fuvelle-Malbuisson
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Les Fourgs
Métabief-Mont d'Or
La Fuvelle - Malbuisson
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2
5
2
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8,5
NC
NC
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Val de Mouthe / Chapelle des Bois
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Chapelle des Bois
Chaux Neuve
Combe Derniers
Mouthe / Chez Liadet
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4
2
3
5
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20
8
6
13
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Haut Jura / Les Rousses
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Bellefontaine
Bois d'Amont
Lamoura
Les Rousses
Prémanon
Longchaumois
Morbier
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3
2
2
4
2
1
2
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7
10
4
7.5
7
10
3
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Hautes Combes du Jura
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Bellecombe / Les Moussières
Lajoux
Les Molunes
Les Moussières
La Pesse
Septmoncel
Belleydoux
Giron
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1
3
1
2
5
2
1
3
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5
16
3
13
23
10
4
28,5
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Monts Jura
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La Vattay
La Valserine
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3
2
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22
8
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Plateau de Retord
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Cuvéry
Le Poizat/Grand Abergement
Plans d'Hotonnes
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3
2
4
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15
12
42,5
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Val de Morteau
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Crête Franco-Suisse
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2
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7
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| Pontarlier / Montbenoît / Laveron |
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Haut Saugeais Blanc
Le Larmont
La Malmaison
La Chaux de Gilley
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1
2
2
1
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5
18
7,5
5,5
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| Haute Joux Mont Noir |
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La Baroche
Cerniébaud
Mignovillard
Foncine le Haut
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1
2
1
1
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3
10
8
6
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| Grandvaux |
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Prénovel
Lac des Rouges Truites
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4
2
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19,5
19
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| Plateau d'Hauteville |
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Hauteville
Brénod
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5
2
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NC
10
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| Plateaux du Doubs |
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| Grand Colombier / Mollard de Don |
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Sur Lyand
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2
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5
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| Guided outings |
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Most French Ski Schools (Ecole de Ski Français - ESF) and the Cross-Country School Centers (Centres Ecoles de Ski de Fond) organise guided snowshoe outings.
Coordinated site by site under the heading Activities > Cross-Country Skiing
Other contacts:
- Patrick Vallet, Pontarlier, tél. 03 81 39 77 90
- OT de Saint-Laurent, tél.03 84 60 15 25/03 84 60 85 73
- OT de Morez, tél. 03 84 33 08 73
- Josiane Bertolini, tél. 03 84 33 08 73
- Hubert Courtial, Espace Évasion, tél. 03 84 60 73 46
- Jean-Michel Lacroix, tél. 03 84 60 97 10
- Xavier Hamard, tél. 03 84 41 65 78
- Thierry Nézot (label France Raquette), tél. 03 84 51 31 62
- Bureau des accompagnateurs de Lajoux-Les Moussières-La Pesse, tél. 03 84 42 70 56
- Les Accompagnateurs de la Valserine, Lélex, tél. 04 50 20 91 43
- Centre Accueil Montagnard, Giron, tél. 04 50 59 81 25
- Jean-Noël Durafour, Le Poizat, tél. 04 74 75 30 65
- OT, bureau des Plans d'Hotonnes, tél. 04 79 87 65 14
- OT du Plateau d'Hauteville, tél. 04 74 35 39 73
- Lynx action Loisirs, Seyssel, tél. 04 50 56 13 67
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MULTI – ACTIVITY TRAILS
Multi – activity trails are another recent innovation which you can enjoy at la Chapelle des Bois, les Fourgs, Métabief, and in the villages comprising the resort of Les Roussses and les Hautes Combes.
These free – access trails are packed for easy hiking, snowshoing or skiing and can be taken even with a dog on a lead.
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