Hike over the high parts of the French Jura. From Les Hôpitaux-Neufs the route climbs fairly quickly over a ski area, that’s in summer is used by mountain bikers to practice their skills. Then a beautiful stretch along imposing rock walls brings you to Mont d’Or at 1463 meters. The route then descends slowly over beautiful meadows to the source of the Doubs in Mouthe.
We slept wonderfully in our improvised spot at the campsite. It could be heard that life on the campsite went on a little longer than we did, and now this morning we are the first to wake up.
Quietly we get ready for a new stage, a route of about 21 kilometers that goes up quite steeply at the beginning, over a ski area to Le Morond. The trail more often crosses the cable cars and the track used by mountain bikers. They take the cable car up and then ride the trail at high speeds over the ski runs, jumping over high ramps and hurtling down the mountain through the woods. We have to be carefull not to get run over, but it’s impressive to see. Several times we pause to admire the skills of adept MTB riders. Nahhh, we just prefer a quiet walk
Arriving at the top, we have beautiful views of the surroundings and the mountains of the Alps. But it is very crowded, so we soon walk on again. Here the trail descends to a small lake, where a fishing competition is being held today. It is a funny sight, a lake so high in the mountains with dozens of fishermen standing right next to each other, but at “appropriate distance”, around it. From there the trail goes back up through mountain meadows to Mont d’Or. We walk along high cliffs at the top. At the end we leave the trail for a short distance to get to the top of the mountain, which at 1,463 meters is slightly higher than the Grand Ballon in the Vosges. And thus the highest point of our trek so far! And wow, what a view again… Mont Blanc with a thick layer of snow on top is clearly visible in the distance.
It’s about time for a pause, so we leave the crowds and walk down a bit to take a break among the wildflowers.
The trail from here runs on beautiful trails and past lots of floral displays and forests. It’s easy to walk and the path is mostly downhill. Along the way, in a forest, we pass a couple walking this part of the GR5 with 3 large horses. Packed and loaded they walk through the woods and meadows, an idyllic sight. We imagine being 100 years back in time….
The stage ends at Source du Doubs, the source of the river le Doubs which we have been following since the beginning of the Jura. Here at the foot of a high mountain, the river flows out of a large hollow and is actually a river of size right away. Down at this source is also our campsite ‘Source du Doubs’ situated, a nice little Municipal campsite.
After pitching the tent, we rest in the shade and later on finish our meal in the evening sun at a picnic bench. What a beautiful place…
