CLIMBING · VIA FERRATA · CANYONING · JURA

Climbing, via ferrata and canyoning in the Jura from Chalet à Comté

Depuis le Chalet à Comté, l’escalade dans le Jura près du lac de Chalain se combine avec plusieurs sites de via ferrata et de canyoning. La page rassemble les spots extérieurs, leurs distances et les informations de statut disponibles avant le départ. Les salles en intérieur restent présentées uniquement comme solution de repli lorsque la météo ne permet pas de pratiquer dehors.

OUTDOOR CLIMBING

Climbing in the Jura: Chambly, Chanet, Préla and Crenans

Doucier — Hérisson valley, above Lac de Chambly

≈ 4.5 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Chambly cliff

Many routes — public databases give conflicting figuresDemanding climbing, mainly grade 7 and above according to OmegaRoc

Height: Continuous limestone cliff; around 15 m on the FFME listing
Orientation: South / south-west depending on the source
Level: Advanced to expert
Status: STATUS MUST BE CHECKED BEFORE YOU GO

Above Lac de Chambly in the Hérisson valley, OmegaRoc describes this cliff as a major Jura site: technical, physical and overlooking the lakes.

Status: Public sources disagree about its current opening status: Oblyk reports it closed/prohibited, while the FFME still lists it and OmegaRoc still includes it in the Jura guidebook. Before going, always check the opening status with a local or official source.

Guidebook and information — Chambly cliff

Marigny

≈ 5.1 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Chanet climbing site

18 routes3a à 6b

Height: 5 à 8 m
Orientation: South-west
Level: Beginner / family
Status: Open access

A very local spot close to Lac de Chalain, suitable for beginners, families and first outdoor routes.

Guidebook and information — Chanet site

Prénovel / Nanchez

≈ 17.4 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Préla cliff

14 routes4 à 6

Height: Bolted routes
Orientation: West
Level: Beginner / progression
Status: Sport climbing site; best in the warmer season

A small friendly site in the Grandvaux forests at around 930 m altitude. Jura Tourisme particularly recommends it from May to October.

Guidebook and information — Préla cliff

Crenans

≈ 24.9 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Crenans cliff

Around 60 routes6a to 8b, with a beginner sector

Height: Sport climbing on limestone
Orientation: Woodland setting
Level: Intermediate to expert
Status: Site authorised again since 26 May 2025

The site for experienced climbers: many more routes, overhangs and lines up to grade 8, with views towards Vouglans.

Guidebook and information — Crenans cliff

VIA FERRATA

Via ferrata in the Jura: Regardoir and Roche au Dade

Moirans-en-Montagne — Lac de Vouglans

≈ 27.7 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Regardoir via ferrata

DifficultyAD to D depending on the variant

Route350 m

90 m footbridge
2 ladders
monkey bridge
view over Lac de Vouglans

2026 status: Open since 15 June 2026 according to information published this season

Access: From age 8 and minimum height 1.25 m

Price: Mandatory pass: €5 per session; €15 season pass

Please note: Closed from 15 February to 15 June to protect peregrine falcons; prohibited at night, in heavy rain and during thunderstorms.

Check opening — Regardoir via ferrata

Morez / Hauts de Bienne

≈ 21.2 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Roche au Dade via ferrata

DifficultyFairly difficult for the classic route

RouteRoute listed at around 200 m on the official 2026 page

final 70 m zip line
Nepalese bridge
footbridge
ladders
viewpoint at 918 m

2026 status: Reopened to the public since 27 June 2026: the classic route and fun areas are open; the athletic variant is closed until further notice.

Access: Free access; professional guidance recommended for beginners

Price: Free access; equipment rental available in Morez

Please note: Not permitted for inexperienced users or unaccompanied minors; comply with the official opening order.

Check opening — Roche au Dade via ferrata

CANYONING

Canyoning in the Jura: Langouette, Malvaux, Grosdar and Coiserette

Les Planches-en-Montagne

≈ 12.5 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Langouette gorges

Intermediate

Around 1 km of gorge; guided outing depending on the package

very narrow gorge
jumps
playful siphons depending on water flow
abseils beneath waterfalls

Suitable for: Guided outings advertised from age 12

The closest canyon to the Chalet: spectacular, narrow and far more vertical than a simple aquatic hike.

Safety: You must be able to swim; the canyon is sensitive to water flow and weather; professional supervision is strongly recommended.

See canyoning information — Langouette gorges

Foncine-le-Bas

≈ 14.6 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Malvaux gorges

Beginner / family

600 m · 40 m descent · around 1 hour

aquatic hike
optional jumps
natural slides
relatively easy access

Suitable for: Suitable for a first experience depending on the provider

A very good choice for a first experience: playful, aquatic and accessible, right on the edge of the 15 km local radius as the crow flies.

Safety: Dangerous during thunderstorms or high water flow.

See canyoning information — Malvaux gorges

Saint-Claude

≈ 31.3 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Grosdar canyon

Beginner to sporty depending on the section

Upper section 700 m / 190 m descent / 2 h; lower section 1,000 m / 130 m descent / 2 h

pools
jumps
abseils
final waterfall
abseils of up to 70 m on the upper section

Suitable for: The fun section is often offered to families, from age 8 depending on the provider

One of the best-known canyons in the Jura: a playful lower section for beginners and a more committing upper section.

Safety: Check water flow; abseils are compulsory on technical sections; professional guidance is recommended.

See canyoning information — Grosdar canyon

Coiserette / Saint-Claude area

≈ 36.3 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Coiserette canyon

Sporty

Full, narrow canyon route

abseils
jumps
slides
swimming
very narrow limestone gorge

Suitable for: Depends on provider and ability

The emblematic sporty canyon of the Jura, for groups looking for a full day of thrills.

Safety: Plan the outing with a professional; water level and weather are decisive.

See canyoning information — Coiserette canyon

IN BAD WEATHER

Indoor climbing in the Jura: two backup options

This is not a main activity for the stay: it is a backup plan when it rains, the cliff is wet, the via ferrata is closed or the weather makes an outdoor outing unsafe.

MFR Doucier: very close and useful as a backup option, but access conditions must be confirmed directly with the MFR. Jura Vertical in Morez: farther away, but a fully equipped climbing gym.

Doucier — Maison Familiale Rurale du Jura

≈ 5.2 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

MFR climbing wall — Chalain site

BACKUP OPTION

Indoor artificial climbing structure

around 10 m × 6 m according to the public sports inventory

indoor room
2 sports changing rooms
on the MFR Doucier sports site

Access: Open public access is not confirmed. Contact the MFR directly before travelling.

This is the most local indoor option for a rainy day, subject to confirming access conditions.

MFR Doucier — 03 84 87 28 28 — mfr.doucier@mfr.asso.fr

Check access conditions — MFR Chalain climbing wall

Morez / Hauts de Bienne

≈ 21.2 km as the crow flies from the Chalet

Jura Vertical climbing gym — Morez

BACKUP OPTION

Full climbing gym

nearly 1,000 m² of climbing wall

rope climbing
bouldering
speed climbing

Access: For non-members: FFME or CAF licence + €10 entry, according to Jura Vertical.

A farther but much more complete indoor option when the weather prevents outdoor climbing.

Jura Vertical — Gymnase de l’Hôtel de Ville, 10 quai Jobez, Morez

Check conditions — Jura Vertical Morez