The moor of Lac des Rouges Truites, the trails through the landscape and the history of Les Thévenins give a stay in Lac Des Rouges Truites several points of focus. Those looking to combine nature watching with a walk or a glimpse of local building and cheesemaking traditions will find practical pointers here to help with planning.

Moorland and biodiversity

The moor of Lac des Rouges Truites is part of the Ramsar site “tourbières et lacs de la montagne jurassienne” and has been designated an Espace naturel sensible by the Département du Jura. The ZNIEFF known as “LAC DES ROUGES TRUITES” is a type 1 ecological zone covering 79 hectares in Lac-des-Rouges-Truites; it is subject to a prefectural decree protecting its biotope.

Within this zone, the small lake is surrounded by an alkaline fen. Typical plants found there include bog bilberry and cranberry. A floating peat mat with pools leads to the raised bog. The lake’s outflow is also ecologically significant: it provides a habitat for the white-clawed crayfish, a species protected by a prefectural decree. A 2024 publication by the Conservatoire lists almost 900 species recorded in the moor to date. Further surveys may increase this figure.

Walks and getting your bearings around the moor

The Sentier de découverte du lac des Rouges Truites « Chacun son rythme » starts at the Domaine du Bugnon car park and follows the “Sentier du tour du lac” markers. Along the trail, there are interpretive media, observation facilities and a developed platform near the moor. This trail is not accessible when there is snow; take local conditions into account when planning your visit.

The details for the Circuit de découverte du lac des Rouges Truites are precise: the interpretive walking trail is a very easy 3.9-kilometre loop. The stated walking time is one hour, with 54 metres of ascent and descent; the maximum elevation is 935 metres. These details can help with time planning. By contrast, the Sentier « Chacun son rythme » focuses on its marked route and the opportunities to observe the moor.

Vers les Moulins - 67V is another option for beginner mountain bikers. The route includes shaded and sunny trails suited to an introduction to mountain biking. As an official route in the Geotrek network of the Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura, it also showcases various aspects of Grandvaux’s heritage: a moor, a former mill, the Voie du tram and a cheese dairy.

Architecture and cheesemaking in Les Thévenins

The Église paroissiale de la Nativité de Notre-Dame in Les Thévenins dates mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, and the interior has a rib vault. The bell tower is described as having paired sound openings, while the apse has pointed-arch windows. These features also make the church interesting to visitors who would like to explore local architectural history alongside the landscape during their stay.

The Circuit de découverte passes through the hamlet of Les Thévenins, where a former cheese dairy founded in 1905 stands along the route. The area’s cheesemaking history goes back even further: cheese dairies, or fruitières, are documented from 1794. Four fruitières are named in records from 1859: le Maréchet, les Martins, les Thévenins and le Voisinal. These historical details tell the story of cheesemaking at the time; they do not indicate that any dairy is currently operating or open to visitors.

Winter trails and activities

At Domaine du Bugnon, marked trails are available for cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoeing, including a groomed multi-use trail. The Site Nordique du Lac des Rouges Truites has trails for classic cross-country skiing and skating: five green, two blue and one red trail, as well as a connection to Foncine-le-Haut and Chapelle-des-Bois. Trail layouts can change with snow conditions or changes to the network; check current conditions before your trip.

Cross-country skis, sleds and snowshoes can be rented at Domaine du Bugnon for the Site Nordique. Since rental availability may vary, it is a good idea to check before you arrive. The difference between the seasons is clear: in winter, activities depend on snow and ski trails, while the loop around the lake is notable above all for its moorland, observation facilities and stated walking time.

Discover more destinations: Gigny, Le Larderet, Grange-De-Vaivre, Chapelle-Voland, Saint-Laurent-En-Grandvaux, Villeneuve-sous-Pymont, La Balme-D'épy, Coisia.

For the wider travel overview: Jura.