Foncine-Le-Haut: Cross-country skiing, hikes and Comté

Foncine-Le-Haut is an appealing destination for travelers who want to combine their stay with outdoor activities and visits to local attractions. Cross-country ski areas, hiking trails, viewpoints, forest walks and insights into Comté cheese-making cater to a range of interests. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the season and the type of activity: snow affects cross-country skiing options, while hikes vary in length and difficulty. Visits with tastings are also seasonal.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing: trails and snow conditions

There are four cross-country ski areas in Foncine-Le-Haut; whether they can be used depends on snow conditions. At Chez Valentin in the Forêt du Mont Noir, ski trails connect to Chapelle des Bois, Chaux-Neuve, Pré Poncet and the Refuge du Pré d’haut. These connections are a useful point of reference when choosing a place to stay for cross-country skiing. At Les Arboux in the Forêt du Bayard, there are marked, ungroomed and free trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Les Arboux is open continuously when there is snow. The differences lie both in the trail connections at Chez Valentin and in the nature of the trails at Les Arboux. As winter activities depend on snow, check snow conditions before traveling.

Hiking to the Source de la Saine

The route to the Source de la Saine is 11.5 kilometers long, rated difficult and takes about three hours. You can therefore factor both the approximate duration and difficulty into your plans. The route starts in front of the Foncine-Le-Haut tourist office at number 60; parking is available there or nearby. As parking arrangements may change temporarily, check them before setting out. The Source de la Saine rises from a limestone basin with folded rock strata and fault lines. Distinctive vegetation clings to the rock. The route thus combines a clearly described hike with a geologically distinctive destination.

Panoramic views and trails in the village

The Belvédère du Bulay is within walking distance of the village. Alternatively, you can park at the foot of the cliff and climb an approximately 300-meter staircase to the summit. From there, enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Jura range, the green Saine Valley and the Combe d’Entre Côtes du Milieu. On clear days, you can also see Mont Poupet and Mont Blanc. These two peaks are therefore visible only when conditions are clear; the other landscapes mentioned are part of the viewpoint’s panorama.

Another trail climbs past around fifteen metal crosses to the viewpoint on the Chemin de croix de Foncine-Le-Haut, which overlooks Foncine-Le-Haut. For walks in the forest, the Forêt du Paradis is another destination. The Tourbière de l’Entre Côtes du Milieu is a sensitive natural area designated as a Natura 2000 site. There are therefore several types of nature to choose from: forest, a geologically distinctive spring area and a protected wetland.

Comté, visits and local experiences

The Fromagerie des Rebelles is a Comté cheese dairy and cooperative fruitière. Visitors can tour it and hear explanations from its members. This offers a different focus from a hike or viewpoint: the emphasis is on the local cheese dairy. If you are interested in a seasonal visit with a tasting, the Rucher du Bayard offers guided visits and tastings throughout the summer.

Trail-running routes with a wide range of distances

The Espace trail Champagnole Nozeroy Jura has four trail-running routes starting in Foncine-Le-Haut. They range from 400 meters to 22 kilometers and partly follow the route of the Val Foncine Trail. This wide range makes distance a useful point of comparison when choosing a route. As routes may be updated, check the current route before running.

Discover more destinations: Peintre, Villard-Saint-Sauveur, Pont-D'héry, Barretaine, Pupillin, Tancua, Prémanon, La Favière

For the broader travel overview: Jura.