Le Saut du Doubs — loop in the Parc Naturel Régional du Doubs Horloger

From the Saut-du-Doubs to the Châtelot – a hike between waterfalls and hiking bliss Let's go! – very close to the Saut-du-Doubs restaurant. A hike awaits. And what a hike it is 😉 The first section of the trail takes me through a wonderfully peaceful forest, gently up and down. Then… The Saut-du-Doubs. A mighty waterfall, 27 meters high, loud, wild, beautiful. Not quite 30 meters, as is often claimed – but honestly: Anyone standing here staring at the thundering water couldn't care less about a three-meter difference. I linger for a while at the upper viewpoint, take a deep breath, and think: This is exactly why I love hiking. These moments when nature sets the pace and you're simply amazed. The trail continues winding through the forest, which now becomes increasingly dramatic. And suddenly it's in front of me: a large cave, half-hidden in the rock. I approach, letting my gaze wander into the darkness – a hint of adventure hangs in the air. Could there be goblins hiding inside? Or is it more my respect for dark holes? I decide to keep it mysterious – and move on. Now comes one of the most beautiful sections of this tour: the famous cliff path. High above Lac des Brenets, the trail winds spectacularly along vertical limestone cliffs. In places, the cliffs rise up to 80 meters above the water. I walk with concentration, a slight tingling in my stomach – not from fear, but from awe. I'm alone, it's completely silent, the water deep green and completely calm. A very special atmosphere. After a slight incline, the view opens up – and there it is before me: the Châtelot Dam. An impressive structure, 74 meters high, 150 meters long, and with the power to harness 20 million cubic meters of water. Since 1953, this arched dam has been reliably supplying electricity, not only for Switzerland but also for France. The water is channeled to the turbine via a 3-kilometer-long tunnel and, with a drop of 67 meters, is used to generate energy. Engineering meets the force of nature here. The path now becomes significantly rougher, wet and muddy from the rain. A short but not to be underestimated climb demands my attention. Countless steps, rocky steps, a few roots, a steep, narrow path – but manageable with good shoes. I take it easy and remember: It's precisely these darned little challenges that make a tour truly complete. Because - after every climb, there's a view waiting, this one over the green Doubs and the endless forests is magnificent. From now on, the path calms down, becomes softer, wider, and friendlier. I approach the starting point. A few more steps, and my car is back in front of me – as if nothing had happened. But there was something... A hike full of contrasts: water in all its facets, rocks, technology, nature. And in the middle of it all, me – content, slightly sweaty, with the good feeling of having experienced another little adventure today 😉🥾🥾