The trail starting from the Joux valley at the foot of the Jura, leads through the regional Jura Vaudois Nature Park to the highest summit of the Swiss Jura, Mont Tendre (1,679m), with a magnificent view of the Alps and the Lake of Geneva.
The Vallée de Joux with the lake of the same name lies nestled between two Jura chains. With its rugged, unspoilt natural environment, the valley is also known as the cradle of watchmaking. Find out more about its beginnings at the museum in Le Sentier, where this hike starts at the railway station. From the southwestern end of Lake Joux, the route leads through the valley, across the Orbe river and past moorlands.
During the ascent in the middle of woodland meadows typical of the region, the hiker gets a wonderful view of the lake of Joux and the Dent de Vaulion. The gentle slope finally leads to the highest summit in the Swiss Jura, Mont Tendre. Having arrived at the summit, the hiker has now walked about half the distance and now enjoys the wonderful view of the foot of the Jura, the lake of Geneva, the Alps and the whole of the Forêt du Risoux, the enormous forest which covers most of the Joux valley. The dolines and lapies in the summit area are characteristic of the Jura's limestone subsoil.
After a well-deserved break, the hiker follows the path down through the woods and woodland meadows to the railway station at Montricher. The village lies at the eastern foot of Mont Tendre. Unique in the Canton of Vaud: the church with its round tower and thick walls. From the church, you can enjoy marvellous views over the plain, lake and Savoy Alps.
