Belvedere of the 4 Lakes

The belvedere of the 4 lakes : Magnificent view of the waters of the lakesThe, Small, Grand Maclu and Narlay (the latter being the deepest in the Jura - 42m).

This panorama reveals an intact and wild landscape where nature offers you a sumptuous spectacle in multiple shades of green and blue.

Several access points offer the reward of the panorama:

• From the Aigle car park,

take the time for a mid-mountain hike combining effort and contemplation. Parking can be done in one of the 3 car parks in La Chaux-du-Dombief (follow the signs).

With good shoes and adequate equipment for mid-mountain hiking (backpack, water bottle, snacks, hat), set off to climb the Aigle peak (991 meters) to observe the 360° viewpoint: the Jura plateaus, Mont Blanc on a clear day, the Jura Mountains, Lake Ilay below.... The hike continues in the forest via marked trails yellow and white/red: you will reach the 1,4 lakes belvedere after 3 km. Take a break in front of Lake Ilay, the Petit and the Grand Maclu.

This viewpoint will make you want to continue to the 4 lakes belvedere, reached quite quickly.

You can then turn around to return to the center of La Chaux-du-Dombief or continue the hike along the ridges then a rather arduous descent towards Petit Maclu. The loop ends along Lake Ilay then goes back up to the car park, via Chemin du Château.

For this complete loop, it will take 9,7 km and 330 meters of elevation gain.

• From the 4 lakes,

head to the end of Petit Maclu.

Follow the yellow and white/red hiking markings indicating the Belvédère des 4 lacs as the main direction.

The climb to the ridges can be slippery in wet weather : be careful and remember the right equipment for any mid-mountain hike : backpack, water bottle, snacks, etc.

Once you arrive on the ridges, you are close to the 4 lakes belvedere.

You can continue the hike along the marked forest paths in order to reach the 3 lakes belvedere and eventually Eagle Peak and its 360° panorama.

Caution: to return to the starting point you can turn around or access the edge of the lakes via the Pic de l'Aigle car park and the Chemin du Château: the cumulative difference in altitude will be 300 meters. All you have to do is find your starting point via the path along the lakes.

• For those who cannot walk on traditional trails, a small car park is accessible on the Bois de Ban forest road, 5 minutes walk from the lookout. The access road is narrow and not recommended for motorhomes. This car park is located on a classified and protected site: it is prohibited to stay overnight.

The different hiking routes are available in tourist offices as well as on the Jura Outdoor and Haut Jura Rando websites.

This natural site is fragile : help us preserve it by having appropriate behavior: thank you for stay on marked trails, stay discreet and leave nothing behind !