Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2

The Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2 is a 20 km point-to-point trail in Franche-Comté, France, dropping 185 m in net elevation from Les Alliés to La Cluse-et-Mijoux. Rated moderate, it crosses Jura plateau farmland before descending into the dramatic Cluse de Pontarlier, passing in view of the medieval Fort de Joux on one of the International Walking Network's most historically resonant pilgrimage corridors.

About the Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2

The Via Cluny is a long-distance cultural walking route that traces the medieval pilgrimage network radiating from the great Benedictine abbey at Cluny, in Burgundy. Managed by the Association Chemin de Cluny Franche-Comté Bourgogne and recognised as part of the International Walking Network (IWN), the main itinerary runs 26 stages from the Swiss border to the Saône valley. The Morteau variant is one of two secondary access corridors — a 68 km, three-stage route that funnels hikers arriving from Switzerland or the Swiss Jura into the main trail at Les Hôpitaux-Neufs.

Etape 2 of the Morteau variant covers 20 km from Les Alliés to La Cluse-et-Mijoux, making it the shortest and topographically gentlest of the three stages. With a net descent of 185 m and no significant climbs, the stage suits walkers of all fitness levels and is often completed in five to six hours at a comfortable pace. The path begins on the open Jura plateau around Les Alliés — a commune sitting at roughly 800 m elevation — and works its way southwest through forest edges, farmland, and valley meadows before dropping into the narrow Cluse de Pontarlier. This natural rock gateway, carved between two Jura limestone ridges, has been a strategic crossing point for 2,000 years, and it is here that the iconic Fort de Joux looms over the trail.

The route is waymarked with the Via Cluny shell symbol throughout, and the trail surface alternates between forest tracks, country lanes, and well-maintained footpaths. Completing Etape 2 as part of the full Morteau variant places you one stage away from joining the 26-stage main itinerary — a logical overnight stop at La Cluse-et-Mijoux before tackling Etape 3 onward to Les Hôpitaux-Neufs. Hikers who prefer a standalone day walk will find the stage fully self-contained, with reliable public transport links at both endpoints through the nearby Pontarlier rail hub.

Route Overview & Stages

Etape 2 runs entirely through the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. Leaving Les Alliés, the trail crosses plateau pasturelands associated with Comté cheese production before entering a belt of mixed forest. A steady descent through the Larmont foothills brings the path to the floor of the Cluse de Pontarlier, where it follows the valley bottom into La Cluse-et-Mijoux. Fort de Joux can be seen clinging to the cliff above, roughly 2 km before the endpoint. The table below shows all three stages of the Morteau variant, with Etape 2 highlighted.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Fort de Joux — The fortress dominating the Cluse de Pontarlier has guarded this Alpine gateway since the eleventh century. Most historically, it was the final prison of Toussaint Louverture, the Haitian independence leader, who died in its cells in April 1803. The fort is visible from the trail and open to visitors; guided tours run from April through October.
• Cluse de Pontarlier — A narrow transverse valley cut through Jura limestone ridges, barely 300 m wide at its tightest point. Walking through it on foot is a reminder of why this corridor has served as a trade and pilgrimage crossing since Roman times.
• Jura Plateau at Les Alliés — The stage opens on grassland at roughly 800 m elevation. On a clear morning the views extend east toward the Swiss Jura, with Mont Suchet and the Chasseron ridge visible on the horizon before the forest swallows the path.
• La Cluse-et-Mijoux Village — The endpoint is a compact settlement huddled at the foot of the fort. The village church dates to the eighteenth century, and several small restaurants and accommodation options make it a natural rest point for the night.
• Comté Fruitières — The plateau sections pass through active Comté cheese country. Several traditional fruitières (cooperative cheese dairies) operate along this corridor and some welcome passing walkers. The scent of ageing Comté wheels is a distinctly Jurassien trail experience.
• Larmont Ridgeline Views — As the trail descends from the plateau, a gap in the forest opens views over the twin Larmont peaks: Grand Larmont at 1,072 m and Petit Larmont. These summits frame the eastern wall of the cluse and overlook the rooftops of Pontarlier below.
• Pontarlier — The historic capital of the Haut-Doubs, 5 km from the endpoint, is synonymous with absinthe distilling, which flourished here in the nineteenth century before the 1915 ban. The town's distillery offers tastings and a lively Saturday market makes it an ideal resupply stop before Etape 3.
• Via Cluny Waymarking — The distinctive Cluny shell symbol appears at every turn, connecting each footstep to the broader European pilgrimage tradition. For hikers continuing south on the main 26-stage itinerary, the route eventually reaches the UNESCO World Heritage-associated abbey of Cluny itself, deep in the Burgundian heartland.

Best Time to Hike the Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2

The Franche-Comté region has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. The Jura plateau above 700 m can hold snow from December through March, making winter hiking on the plateau sections of Etape 2 both difficult and potentially hazardous on the descent into the cluse.

Spring (April–June) brings the Jura to life: the plateau grasslands green up rapidly in May, wildflowers appear along the forest edges, and trail conditions are firm and dry by mid-May. Temperatures on the plateau average 8–14 °C in May, rising to 14–18 °C in June — ideal hiking weather with long daylight hours. June is the single best month to walk Etape 2, combining reliable trail surfaces, comfortable temperatures, and the full drama of the plateau landscape before summer heat sets in.

Summer (July–August) is warm and popular. The Doubs valley can push above 25 °C on hot days, though the plateau remains 3–5 degrees cooler. Accommodation in Pontarlier is accessible with a few days' notice, and the Fort de Joux is fully open with extended tour hours.

Autumn (September–October) is excellent for photography: the beech forests above the cluse turn amber and gold, and Fort de Joux at dusk takes on a particularly dramatic character. Trail surfaces remain good through October; rainfall increases from November onward.

As of 2026, the trail is fully waymarked and maintained by the Association Chemin de Cluny Franche-Comté Bourgogne, with no closures reported on the Morteau variant. Check the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre for any seasonal alerts or trail condition updates before departure.

Practical Information

Accommodation

La Cluse-et-Mijoux has limited but sufficient accommodation for Etape 2 hikers. Several chambres d'hôtes (B&Bs) in the village charge €45–75 per person per night including breakfast. A small gîte d'étape (hikers' hostel) with dormitory bunks is available at approximately €25–30 per night; book ahead in June and July as capacity runs to around 15 places.

Pontarlier, 5 km south by road, offers a wider range: two-star hotels from €60–90 per night, and several restaurants serving regional Jurassien cuisine including raclette, Comté fondue, and Morteau sausage. Pontarlier's Saturday market is a good resupply point if you are continuing on Etape 3 the following morning.

Hikers starting Etape 2 from Les Alliés should arrange accommodation the night before in the Morteau area (the natural overnight after Etape 1, 27 km back). Options on the plateau near Les Alliés itself are sparse, so advance booking anywhere along the route is strongly recommended in peak season.

Getting There & Back

The nearest major rail hub is Pontarlier station, served by regional TER trains from Besançon Viotte (approximately 55 minutes, with onward connections to Lyon, Paris, and Switzerland). From Pontarlier, a local taxi or the infrequent line 70 bus covers the 5 km to La Cluse-et-Mijoux in around 10 minutes. For the starting point, Les Alliés has no station; most hikers walk from Morteau the previous day or arrange a taxi from Pontarlier (approximately 25 km, €35–45).

Morteau station, the origin of the full Morteau variant, is served by TER trains from Besançon Viotte roughly six times daily (journey time approximately 45–50 minutes). The nearest international airport is Berne-Belp in Switzerland (~95 km), accessible by train via Frasne in approximately 2 hours. Basel-Mulhouse Airport is around 130 km and reachable by rail in 2.5–3 hours.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2. The route crosses no protected areas requiring advance registration. Fort de Joux charges a standard admission fee (approximately €8 adults, €5 reduced) for those wishing to tour the fortress interior — entirely optional and unrelated to the trail. GPX track files for all Morteau variant stages are available free of charge from the official Via Cluny website.

Gear & Packing List

Etape 2's 20 km and 185 m net descent suits a 30–45 L daypack when walked as a standalone stage. If you are carrying multi-day kit through the full Morteau variant, a 45–65 L pack with a structured frame is more practical. The Jura plateau section at the start of the stage can be exposed to wind, so carry a wind layer even in summer. Rain is possible year-round at this altitude — a lightweight waterproof shell is non-negotiable. Footwear should be waterproof trail boots with good ankle support for the uneven forest tracks on the descent into the cluse.

Pack food and water for at least five hours of walking; there are no reliable resupply points between Les Alliés and La Cluse-et-Mijoux. A 1.5–2 litre water capacity is sufficient, though natural sources on the plateau should be treated before drinking. Understanding your calorie needs for a full day of walking helps significantly with packing; our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day covers fuelling strategy in detail.

Recommended packs for this trail:

• Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 — a 35 L Scandinavian trail pack with excellent weight distribution, well-suited to day and overnight stages on cultural walking routes like Via Cluny.
• Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 — the expandable 45+10 L volume is ideal for the full three-stage Morteau variant, with a ventilated back panel for warm plateau walking.
• Osprey Aether 65 — for hikers tackling the complete 26-stage Via Cluny main itinerary, the 65 L Aether delivers sustained carrying comfort over weeks of loaded walking.
• Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L — an ultralight option for experienced hikers aiming to keep base weight below 5 kg on a multi-week pilgrimage. See our best ultralight backpacks of 2026 roundup for full comparisons across categories.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Via Cluny sits within France's exceptional network of long-distance grandes randonnées. Hikers drawn to its cultural character — medieval heritage, waymarked pilgrimage paths, and varied landscapes — will find several compelling alternatives. For alpine circuit walking with international prestige, the Tour du Mont Blanc remains the benchmark. For something far more demanding, the GR 20 Principale crosses the Corsican highlands in 15 rugged stages. Closer in spirit to Via Cluny's literary and historical overlay, the Chemin de Stevenson follows Robert Louis Stevenson's 1878 journey through the Cévennes. The lesser-known GR 105 traces a varied route through the French Alps with few crowds. For a rare cross-border pilgrimage steeped in Waldensian history, the GRV Glorioso Rimpatrio dei Valdesi covers 325 km through France and Italy along one of Europe's most unusual heritage corridors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2?
June is the single best month. The Jura plateau grasslands are fully green, temperatures average 14–18 °C along the route, and daylight stretches past 21:00, giving ample time to cover the 20 km comfortably. April and May are viable but can leave the plateau muddy. September offers beautiful autumn colour and fewer walkers. Avoid December through March, when snow on the plateau above 700 m and icy conditions on the descent into the cluse make the route unreliable.

How difficult is Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2?
This stage is moderate. The 20 km distance is achievable in five to six hours at a relaxed pace, and the net 185 m descent means no sustained climbing. The descent through the Larmont foothills follows uneven forest tracks, so waterproof boots with good ankle support are worthwhile, but the stage presents no technical challenges. Hikers arriving tired from Etape 1 (27 km, +274 m) should note that fatigued legs feel descents more sharply than fresh ones.

How far is Etape 2 and how long does it take to walk?
The stage covers 20 km from Les Alliés to La Cluse-et-Mijoux. Most walkers complete it in five to six hours at 3–4 km/h, factoring in rest stops and a lunch break on the plateau. Strong walkers moving at 4.5 km/h can finish in around four and a half hours. Add 30–60 minutes if you plan to detour inside Fort de Joux for the guided tour, which is worth the stop.

Where can I stay along Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2?
Accommodation concentrates at the endpoints rather than mid-route. La Cluse-et-Mijoux has a small gîte d'étape (dormitory bunks, approximately €25–30 per night) and several chambres d'hôtes charging €45–75 per night including breakfast. Pontarlier, 5 km south, offers more choice including two-star hotels from €60. There is no mid-stage accommodation between Les Alliés and La Cluse-et-Mijoux, so plan to cover the full 20 km before stopping.

Do I need a permit to walk Via Cluny Variante Morteau Etape 2?
No permit is required. The trail follows public rights of way and is freely accessible year-round. Fort de Joux charges an optional entrance fee (approximately €8 for adults) if you wish to tour the fortress, but this has no bearing on walking the trail itself. GPX files for all Morteau variant stages are available as a free download from the official Via Cluny website. No advance registration with the managing association is needed before you set out.