In the heart of the French Jura: Gorges du Flumen and Gorges de l’Abîme – Paradise for nature lovers

🌿 The French Jura Off the Beaten Path

If you’re looking for a place where nature still sets the rhythm and the trails aren’t crowded, the French Jura hides two gems worth discovering: Gorges du Flumen and Gorges de l’Abîme. Tucked away near Saint-Claude – a small town known for its pipes and crystal glass – these two gorges are a true feast for hikers who love wild landscapes and quiet trails.

Gorges du Flumen – a path that follows the roaring Flumen river through a narrow valley. Along the way, you’ll find waterfalls, moss-covered rocks and a refreshing coolness that makes it the perfect hike on hot summer days.
Gorges de l’Abîme – more mysterious, winding and dramatic. Here, the Abîme river has carved whimsical rock formations. Wooden bridges, narrow passages and ledges make it feel like a mini alpine canyon.

Both spots are easy to reach yet surprisingly wild – a pure slice of Jura where you can just walk, breathe and take it all in.

Saint-Claude is a perfect base for exploring the gorges and waterfalls of the Jura. This underrated French-Swiss border town surprises with its atmosphere, mountain views, and rich history. Once famous for its pipe-making and fine craftsmanship, today it offers a network of hiking and cycling trails that start right from its doorstep.

It’s the ideal place to settle in if you want to dive deep into the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park – whether you’re chasing waterfalls, wandering through gorges like Flumen and l’Abîme, or heading higher into the alpine pastures. Here, you’ll find a slower pace, authentic local life, and access to some of the most spectacular nature the Jura has to offer.

Gorges du Flumen – Jura’s Wild Canyon

Carved over thousands of years by the Flumen River, the Gorges du Flumen is a 210-meter canyon that feels like stepping into a lost world. The full trail stretches 15.6 km and takes about 6 hours, making it a serious adventure best suited for experienced hikers or mountain bikers.

✨ Highlights along the way:

Cascade de Flumen – a triple waterfall, each drop around 20 m, roaring into the canyon below.
Sur les Grès viewpoint – sweeping views over the Flumen pass, often with birds of prey circling above.
La Roche Blanche – a steep climb (+700 m elevation gain) rewarded with breathtaking panoramas.
Chapeau de Gendarme – a quirky rock formation shaped like a gendarme’s hat.

🚗 Getting there: From Saint-Claude, follow road D436, which already feels like a scenic preview – you’ll pass extra waterfalls like Moulin d’Aval and Saut du Chien before reaching the gorge.

🌿 Cascade de Flumen – A Hidden Spectacle in the Jura

We chose the hike toward Cascade de Flumen, and let me tell you — this isn’t just another waterfall. It’s a raw natural show, tucked deep inside a canyon of steep, moss-draped cliffs and shadowy trees.

Here, the Flumen River doesn’t flow lazily. It roars, tumbling down in three parallel cascades, each dropping more than 20 meters, filling the gorge with thunder and spray.

The trail:

Start: at the old hydroelectric plant Le Martinet.
The first minutes are a gentle walk along the old path by the river.
Soon, the trail climbs sharply. The ground gets slippery in places, roots and rocks demanding your attention.
The last few hundred meters? That’s the reward — the roar of water growing louder until suddenly the canyon opens and the cascades appear before you.

It feels less like a hike and more like stumbling into nature’s private amphitheater.

The Final Approach to Cascade de Flumen

The forest slowly opens, and long before the waterfall comes into view, you hear its thunder echoing through the gorge. Then it reveals itself — a wild, untamed cascade crashing down the mossy cliffs.

In the sunlight, a fine mist rises from the triple falls, sometimes catching the light and forming natural rainbows that dance in the air. It’s one of those rare spots where time seems to stop — perfect for a longer break, playing with long-exposure shots, or simply sitting still and soaking in the raw power of nature.

It’s one of those places where words aren’t needed. Just being there is enough.

🍂🌿 Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore the gorges. During these months, the water level is at its peak, making the waterfalls especially spectacular. According to local guides, the hiking season runs from March to November, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy these natural wonders without the harshness of winter or the summer crowds.

If Gorges du Flumen is the wild force of the Jura, then Gorges de l’Abîme is its poetic soul. Shorter, gentler, yet equally enchanting. Within just a few minutes of walking, you’re greeted by walls of greenery, the cool breath of stone cliffs, and the sound of the rushing stream that fittingly bears the name Abîme — “the abyss.”

Here, nature has worked for millennia, carving a narrow gorge now crisscrossed with wooden walkways and suspended bridges. In just 1.4 kilometers, you’ll cross bridges, climb stairways, wind through bends — and pass three charming waterfalls. The path is safe but can get slippery after rain, so good shoes and a bit of attention are all you need.

Best part? You don’t need hours to enjoy it. The most beautiful views reveal themselves within the first five minutes, and the full trail takes only about 30 minutes — making it a perfect outing for families, couples, or even casual walkers.

🚗 Practical Tips – Gorges de l’Abîme

Access & Parking: Trailhead is just outside Saint-Claude (5 minutes by car or 15 minutes on foot from the center). There’s a small parking lot right at the entrance.
Season: Best from spring to autumn (April–October). After heavy rains the gorge is even more dramatic, but the path gets slippery.
Trail length & time: Only 1.4 km round trip, about 30 minutes at an easy pace. Add more if you stop for photos (you will!).
Family-friendly? Yes – children love the bridges and waterfalls. Just bring sturdy shoes and keep an eye on them in wet conditions.
Extra tip: Combine it with a stroll through Saint-Claude for lunch, or pair it with the longer Flumen Gorge for a full day of nature.

Pont du Diable – a touch of historyRight at the entrance to the gorge you’ll cross the Pont du Diable (Devil’s Bridge), wrapped in moss and legend. Next to it, hidden among the rocks, are the remains of an old mill and a weathered waterwheel – silent witnesses of the time when the Abîme’s wild current was harnessed to grind grain. Today they add a rustic charm to the trail, reminding visitors that this magical gorge was once part of everyday local life.

🧭 Trail & Starting Point – Gorges de l’Abîme

Distance: ~1–1.5 km one way (2–3 km round trip)
Time: 30–45 minutes one way
Start: Parking Pont du Diable on the D69, between Saint-Claude and Cinquétral

👉 The path begins right at the Pont du Diable (Devil’s Bridge) parking area. From there, the trail follows the stream into the gorge, with footbridges and wooden walkways guiding you along the dramatic rock walls.

⚠️ Important Update:Currently, part of the upper trail is closed. Access is possible only up to the Trou de l’Abîme (the “Abyss Hole”), after which you’ll need to return the same way.

At times, you feel like you’ve stepped straight out of the French Jura and onto the set of Jurassic Park. Towering, damp rock walls draped in ferns, turquoise pools carved into the stone, thick greenery and a light mist hovering above the stream — the whole place feels raw, ancient, almost untouched by time. All that’s missing is the distant roar of a dinosaur in the background 🦖😊.

Deeper into the Abîme gorge lies its most mysterious gem: Trou de l’Abîme – the “Hole of the Abyss.” It’s a striking, water-filled opening in the rock, resembling a natural well. Plunging 45 meters down, it’s the very spot where the river bursts out from the depths of the earth. Standing here, you can almost feel the hidden power of the underground world breathing through the stone.

The Haut-Jura Natural Park is far more than just the Gorges du Flumen and the Gorges de l’Abîme. It’s a land of countless trails, hidden waterfalls, quiet mountain passes, and secret viewpoints you won’t find in most guidebooks.

Our advice: keep going. Seek out your own gorges, your own moments of wonder. The Jura doesn’t end with these two hikes – this is only where it begins.

In the heart of the French Jura: Gorges du Flumen and Gorges de l'Abîme - a paradise for nature lovers