Lac de Chalain is a region in the Jura Mountains of France, centered around the largest natural lake in the Jura. The area features a diverse landscape of glacial lakes, limestone cliffs, and extensive forests, providing varied terrain for outdoor activities. This topography supports several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more. The region's natural features, including the lake's distinct waters and surrounding elevated viewpoints, define its character for outdoor pursuits.
136
Routes
4.5
(1263)
Average rating
11179
People visited

4.6
(80)
255
hikers
12.5km
03:49
360m
360m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.5
(36)
387
hikers
13.5km
03:46
260m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(299)
3,338
hikers
8.23km
02:44
260m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(85)
322
hikers
9.70km
02:46
210m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(17)
445
runners
15.8km
01:48
190m
190m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

89
runners
5.06km
00:33
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

48
runners
5.47km
00:34
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
42
runners
7.09km
00:50
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(76)
283
riders
29.5km
02:18
410m
410m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(31)
175
riders
12.7km
01:00
130m
130m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(12)
61
riders
38.6km
02:46
570m
570m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.7
(12)
79
riders
48.6km
03:06
590m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.4
(20)
170
riders
12.0km
01:00
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(26)
130
riders
48.1km
02:51
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(10)
63
riders
28.9km
02:02
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(7)
67
riders
32.8km
02:02
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
175
riders
31.6km
01:48
490m
490m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.0
(4)
61
riders
44.8km
02:12
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

38
riders
72.9km
03:30
910m
910m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
32
riders
45.5km
02:16
670m
660m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.3
(3)
7
riders
48.9km
03:28
540m
540m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
42.9km
03:14
550m
550m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

24
riders
58.9km
03:25
720m
720m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
5
riders
15.1km
01:02
290m
290m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5
hikers
12.0km
03:42
350m
350m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
2
hikers
8.37km
02:36
210m
210m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
2
hikers
9.89km
03:07
270m
270m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The Lac de Chalain region offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The area features over 100 routes across these sports, catering to different skill levels. Visitors have rated routes in Lac de Chalain with an average of 4.46 out of 5 stars.
Hiking options include a popular path around Lac de Chalain itself, which is approximately 7.5 miles (12 km) long. Other marked trails include a North Loop (4.5 miles) and a South Loop (6 km). The region also connects to longer routes like the GR559 and the Grande Traversée du Jura (GTJ) for more extensive treks. For more information, consult the Hiking around Lac de Chalain guide.
Lac de Chalain is a destination for mountain biking, with various routes around the lake, including a 7.5-mile (12 km) loop. The broader Jura region offers more than 2,000 km of marked trails. Routes alternate between forest passages, small villages, and viewpoints. Explore options in the MTB Trails around Lac de Chalain guide.
The Lac de Chalain region offers varied road cycling routes suitable for different skill levels, from gentle rides to more challenging ascents. Some routes are mostly paved, while others may include unpaved segments. The Grande Traversée du Jura (GTJ) is a classic route, offering over 250 miles (400 km) of marked trails. Detailed routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Lac de Chalain guide.
Yes, the Lac de Chalain region offers trails suitable for beginners and families. These include lakeside paths and routes with minimal elevation gain. Specific family-friendly options are detailed in the Family-friendly hikes around Lac de Chalain guide. For easier routes, consult the Easy hikes around Lac de Chalain guide.
Lac de Chalain is the largest natural lake in the Jura, known for its turquoise waters and surrounding limestone cliffs, which are 200 to 260 feet (60 to 80 meters) high. The Cascades du Hérisson, a prominent natural site, features 31 waterfalls and 7 cascades over 1.8 miles (3 km). The region is also part of a larger network of seven lakes, each with unique characteristics.
Lac de Chalain offers a wide array of water sports, including swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, and pedal boating. Supervised beaches are available during the season. Motorized sports are prohibited on the lake, contributing to its peaceful environment.
The western shore of Lac de Chalain is home to prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements. These sites are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, indicating human occupation since the Neolithic period. This historical context adds another dimension to the region's natural beauty.
Lac de Chalain is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 143,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region features 101 routes across various sports, which have received an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 stars from over 17,000 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for the Lac de Chalain region, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Waterfall hikes, Family-friendly hikes, MTB Trails, Road Cycling Routes, and Cycling around Lac de Chalain.
Official information for the Domaine de Chalain, located on Lac de Chalain, can be found on its website. The official website is chalain.com. For direct inquiries, the phone number is +33 3 84 25 78 78.
Yes, a popular circular path allows for cycling or walking around Lac de Chalain. This loop is approximately 7.5 miles (12 km) long. Other marked trails, such as the North Loop (4.5 miles) and South Loop (6 km), also offer circular options for exploring the area.
Lac de Chalain is the largest natural lake in the Jura, spanning 232 hectares. It is approximately 1.8 miles (3 km) in length and 0.6 miles (1 km) in width. The lake reaches depths of up to 100 feet (30 meters).

