In Les Planches En Montagne, striking waterscapes meet hiking routes of varying difficulty. The Langouette Gorges, the Saine and small lakes form a common thread through the routes’ landscape and cultural themes. For choosing a hike, a clear comparison is helpful: La Montagne Ronde is easy and 4.9 kilometres long; “Eaux vives, Eaux dormantes / Langouette” is a difficult 9.8-kilometre circular hike lasting 2.5 hours. This puts two very different route profiles side by side.

Routes with Different Profiles

La Montagne Ronde starts and ends at Le Martinet in Les Planches-en-Montagne. At 4.9 kilometres and rated “easy,” it contrasts with the longer Langouette circular hike, which is rated difficult. The named starting and ending point places both ends of the route within the commune.

“Eaux vives, Eaux dormantes / Langouette” is one of the Échappée Jurassienne routes. This difficult circular hike is 9.8 kilometres long and has a stated duration of 2.5 hours. Its length, difficulty and time frame together give this hike a specific profile. As trail conditions can change, check the latest situation before setting out.

“Entre Saine et Lemme” offers another route perspective: it passes through Les Planches-en-Montagne and connects the cliffs of Morillon, the Langouette Gorges and the Prés Grillet viewpoint. These three named landscape features give this route its own focus.

Gorges, Water and Heritage

The Langouette Gorges form a 47-metre-deep canyon carved by the Saine; its features include potholes, cascades and waterfalls. The “Eaux vives, Eaux dormantes / Langouette” route follows the Saine past waterfalls, deep gorges and small lakes. The striking canyon and the changing waterscape along the route thus offer different perspectives.

The gorges are also associated with legends and history. The Sentier des cascades et gorges de la Langouette has six information panels about water, geology and built heritage. Alongside the landscape, the trail also takes in features shaped by people.

The area’s former use of water is also explored: the “Eaux vives, Eaux dormantes / Langouette” route describes how water once powered mills, sawmills, forges and spectacle workshops. This historical perspective complements the views of the Saine and its water features with the connection between landscape and work.

Natural Setting and Practical Information

The protected Forêt du Paradis biotope area lies along the “Eaux vives, Eaux dormantes / Langouette” route and also includes the commune of Les Planches-en-Montagne. The route is therefore connected to a designated biotope area; this natural dimension adds another aspect to the location, alongside its waterscape and heritage.

At the Langouette site, the existing car park has been expanded and renovated. There are dry toilets on site, accessible year-round. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Gevry, Choisey, Morez, Maisod, Villechantria, Chevigny, Graye-Et-Charnay, Arsure-Arsurette.

For the broader travel overview: Jura.