The Saine's source trail

Geology

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls

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A short crossing through a meadow and a small wooded area leads to a chalky circus in which, surging out of the stone, the fresh water of the Saine river appears.

The mineral environment from which this source springs arouses much admiration. This rocky amphitheatre shows off its pleated structure and its faults, in which vegetation that is unique to this environment attemps to grow. Interpretive signs answer any questions raised by this surprising geological phenomenon.

1 point of interest

Lakes & Rivers

The source of the Saine, a karst spring

The Saine, or formerly the “Sène” springs from an intimate location at the foot of a rocky amphitheatre under the eastern slope of the Croz Mont mountain forest. Its waters have travelled a long way underground through galleries that have been carved over time into the limestone. Its flow rate varies, not according to the rainfall on that day or the previous day, but according to the rainfall having occurred several days before over the massif. The source once sprung from much higher up in the rocky fault. Today, it only uses these old exits during times of high flow rates. Above Foncine-le-Bas, the flood and temporary waters of the Creux des Joyaux are said to occur due to excess waters in the Saine’s underground reserves.

Description

From the Chez Vallet parking lot, a sign and a map mark the start of the trail. Head to the Bayard Pasture (white and red waymarking), then to the SAINE'S SOURCE (yellow waymarking). Then head back to the parking lot the same way you came. During this short walk, you will come across 5 interpretive signs relating to this landscape marked by the Saine and its geology:

The Saine's source in its landscape
The low wall, between municipal and good lands
From stone to water
Faults and chasms
Stone knives honed by the water

Departure : Chez Vallet, Foncine-le-Haut

Arrival : Chez Vallet, Foncine-le-Haut

Towns crossed : Foncine-Le-Haut

Recommandations

Be careful in the event of high waters at the Saine's source.

This trail passes through pastures with livestock and forest paths. To respect the owners and farmers granting you passage, and for the security of livestock and wild fauna, we ask that you remain on the waymarked paths.
Use the adapted passageways to get across fencing and be sure to close gateways behind you. Lastly, please keep your dog on a lead if you have one.
Wild flowers are beautiful, they may be rare and protected and often wilt quickly. Do not pick them! They will delight the next hikers.
In case of forest works (felling, skidding, etc.), for your safety, know when to stop and turn around.

Information desks

Tourist information centre - Foncine-le-Haut

60 Grande Rue, 39460 Foncine-le-Haut

http://www.juramontsrivieres.fr/

+33 (0)3 84 51 93 11

Find out more

Transport

To visit and get about in the High-Jura, visit www.reshaut-jura.fr, the eco-mobility portal listing all means of transport within the Park.

Access and parking

16 km northeast of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux via the D 437. From Foncine-le-Haut, the road to the "Chez Vallet" hamlet heads past the right of the church.

Parking :

Chez Vallet parking lot

More information

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Close by

Valeurs Parc

François and Christelle CAT

This gîte located in a typical village of the High-Jura has retained its natural surroundings and traditions. It is a wooden chalet which was largely built by François Cat himself using the wood from his own land.

Services

Jura Monts-Rivières - Foncine-le-Haut

The Jura Monts Rivière tourist office was created in 2004 by bringing together the Champagnole tourist office and that of the Pays de Haute Joux Mont Noir. Its reception offices and its dynamic, available and attentive team were maintained in Champagnole, Nozeroy and Foncine.