Interconnected hiking trails, a precisely defined fishing stretch on the Ain and a club golf course give Crotenay several distinct attractions. There are also scenic flights over the Jura and its lakes, as well as a viewpoint overlooking Besain and its pond. When planning, it is worth distinguishing local attractions from destinations in the wider area.

Plan hiking trails in any direction

The hiking trails in Crotenay are marked and signposted as an interconnected network. You can put together your own circular routes in any direction and download hiking routes from Crotenay through the tourist office. Check its current website before planning. The hiking trails accessible from Crotenay make it possible to discover the Champagnole Nozeroy Jura area.

Fishing on the Ain and at Étang de Malaval

The Société de pêche de Crotenay identifies a private first-category fishing area on the Ain. It starts 150 metres upstream from the Moulin des Anes and extends as far as the locality known as Les Tables. The entire fishing stretch is designated no-kill. This precise boundary helps distinguish the specified section of river from other fishing opportunities in the surrounding area.

There are also two ponds in Crotenay. Étang de Malaval is home to carp, tench, pike and small fish. The pond is open from the first Saturday in April to the third Sunday in November; check the opening dates before your visit. A point of sale for Étang de Malaval is located at the post office. If you need this for your fishing visit, check the current fishing permit requirements in advance.

Golf course and scenery

Golf des 4 Saisons is a club golf course in Crotenay, laid out on a former sand quarry. It measures 2,122 metres. The course is open to people of all ages and regardless of playing ability; check the opening and access conditions in advance. It is situated on a network of hiking trails on the slope of the Côte de l’Heute forest massif and offers views of the mountains of the Haut-Jura.

From the air and from the viewpoint

The Aéroclub de Champagnole Crotenay offers scenic flights that let you discover the Jura and its lakes from the air. The information about Belvédère de la Roche du Midi offers a different perspective: the viewpoint is at an altitude of 629 metres and overlooks the village of Besain and its pond. Each destination has a different focus—one on the lake landscape from the air, the other on a named place in view.

Other destinations in the surrounding area

The beaches of Lac de Chalain are among the excursion options in the wider Crotenay area. Fishing and canoeing on the Ain are also listed as leisure activities in the wider Crotenay area. This broader reference should be distinguished from the precisely defined private fishing stretch of the Société de pêche de Crotenay: the stretch details describe the section in Crotenay, while the other activities are associated with the wider area.

Champagnole-Crotenay airfield

Champagnole-Crotenay airfield is located in the commune of Crotenay. It has restricted authorisation, a grass runway designated 02–20, and is used for recreational activities and medical evacuations.

Discover more destinations: Les Bouchoux, Prémanon, La Pesse, Montmorot, Barretaine, Jouhe, Bellefontaine, Gevry.

For the broader travel overview: Jura.