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Discover the job of the custom's officer
7-step circular cycling route starting from Morteau (F) or Saint-Ursanne (CH), look out for the clues to dismantle a smugglers' organisation.
During your cross-border patrol around the river Doubs, you will come across numerous towns brimming with history such as La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle as well as countless stunning views over the surrounding landscape and mountains.
THE PATROL OF THE GABELOUSFoil the smugglers' tricks
During a tracking patrol accompanied by a former Basque smuggler, collect the clues left behind on the ground in order to arrest the instigator of a cross-border smuggling band.
In the shoes of a customs officer from the beginning of the 20th century, cycle along the smugglers' paths in search of clues to identify the smugglers' leader from a list of French-Swiss offenders. You will also be required to carry out daily missions, which will allow you to enhance your knowledge of the area.
During your classes at the mobile customs office of Morteau, you will enjoy the privilege of cycling across the exceptional landscape of the Valley of Doubs while improving your knowledge of the local heritage in order to expose the smugglers' tricks.
Marking
| In France |
In Switzerland |
 |
|
| Carte IGN 3524 OT - Morteau Saut du Doubs 3523OT - Vallée du Dessoubre |
Carte Swiss Topo |
Highlights of the route
The Saut du Doubs waterfall and the basins of the river Doubs, the Echelles de la Mort (the steps of death), the La Cendrée Viewpoint, the Sommêtres viewpoint and the customs officers' huts
Technical data file
The 252 km Gabelous circular cycling route will allow you to immerse yourself in the daily life of the customs officer, the "tax soldier" of a bygone era who patrolled the French-Swiss border for the purpose of tracking down smugglers.
Along the 7-step route around the river Doubs, you will have the opportunity to discover a number of remarkable tourist sites such as the Saut du Doubs waterfall and the Echelles de la Mort (the steps of death). You can either begin the trail at Morteau (F) or at Saint-Ursanne (CH). Bicycles are available for hire in both locations.
In addition to the architectural heritage of the UNESCO towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, along the trail you can also admire the ingenuity of the local men who built the Châtelot, la Goule and Refrain dams in order to generate electricity as well as the underground mills of Col des Roches.
ONLINE MAP
ASCENT PROFILE
31ppi311p714
31lpi211l844Les Gabelous - Etape A
| DISTANCE : 41.004Km | ASCENT : 1022m11 | Walking time : 5h0055 |
Your journey begins at the Cul de la Lune Campsite in Morteau and continues in the direction of Switzerland ascending the ridges of the Doubs valley.
Once you have crossed the border in the locality of Brédot, you will pass through Brévine, a village which holds the record for the coldest temperatures ever recorded in Switzerland
On your way, don't miss
. The tuyé farms (for smoking meats) of the Pays horloger (watchmaker country) and the Grand Cachot farms
The Cerneux-Péquignot boundary markers
. Lake Taillères in the la Brévine valley
A short distance from the trail
. The Obertino bell foundry in Morteau
. The Marais Rouge (Red Marsh) peat bogs of Ponts de Martel
31ppi311p21431lpi211l844Les Gabelous - Etape B
| DISTANCE : 43.004Km | ASCENT : 1086m11 | Walking time : 5h3055 |
During this step, you can discover two towns (Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds) that feature on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their watchmaking town planning.
Upon arrival in the locality of l’Escarpinea, stop for a break and enjoy the magnificent view over the lac de Moron and the Châtelot dam.
On your way, don't miss
. The Underground Mills of Col des Roches (Le Locle)
. The Saut du Doubs waterfall and the basins of the river Doubs
The watchmaking urban ensemble of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, UNESCO world heritage sites
A short distance from the trail
. The International Museum of Horology in La Chaux-de-Fonds
. The Town Hall of Le Locle
. The view over lac de Moron in L’Escarpineau
31ppi611p71431lpi211l844Les Gabelous - Etape C
| DISTANCE : 38.503Km | ASCENT : 732m77 | Walking time : 4h3044 |
During this step, you will come across wooded pastures characteristic of the Franches-Montagnes, where horses and herds of cows roam freely. Not far from the village of Goumois in an idyllic setting, you will find the Theusseret falls.
Before arriving at your destination, you can also take in the view over neighbouring France from the Sommêtres mountains.
On your way, don't miss
. The Musée du Paysan horloger (watchmaker-farmer themed museum) in Le Boétchet
. The panoramic view from the Sommêtres mountains
. The La Goule dam
A short distance from the trail
. The Church of Noirmont
The Centre de chevaux Maison Rouge aux Bois (The Maison Rouge aux Bois horse centre)
. The ruins of the old mill in Goumois
31ppi611pa1431lpi211l844Les Gabelous - Etape D
| DISTANCE : 32.103Km | ASCENT : 714m77 | Walking time : 4h44 |
This fourth step departing from Goumois, a small cross-border village nestled in the valley of the river Doubs, will take you to Saint-Ursanne. This village, known as "the pearl of the Jura" will captivate you with its picturesque medieval charm
On your way, don't miss
. The roue de Bollement (wooden water wheel from the medieval sawmill of Bollement) in Saint-Brais
. The Village of les Enfers
The boat trip to Tariche
A short distance from the trail
. The dry stone walls in Les Sairains
. The view over Les Sairains in Montfavergier
31ppi311p71431lpi211l844Les Gabelous - Etape E
| DISTANCE : 29.502Km | ASCENT : 890m88 | Walking time : 4h0044 |
Discover the old customs officers' huts. along the path that links Saint –Ursanne to Fessevillers. These huts were once used by the customs officers as an observation point as well as a place to shelter from inclement weather.
Part of the route then goes alongside the border, where boundary markers still mark the borderline between the two countries today. However, after the revolution, some of the boundary markers were hammered into the ground or destroyed.
On your way, don't miss
. The collegiate church and cloister of Saint-Ursanne
. The Church of Fessevillers and the master glassmakers of Clos du Doubs
. The boundary markers in the Epiquerez–Chaufour region
A short distance from the trail
. The views along the ridges of Épiquerez
The Chèvrerie de l’Eldorado (the Eldorado goat farm) in Indevillers
31ppi111p21431lpi211l844Les Gabelous - Etape F
| DISTANCE : 35.503Km | ASCENT : 1217m11 | Walking time : 6h1566 |
The one-day route will take you through the emblematic site of the Echelles de la Mort (the steps of death). In the past, people were fearful of the valley and the échelles de la mort as a result of legends and the numerous accidents attributed to this area of the Doubs gorges.
Complete your journey with a stop off at the La Cendrée Viewpoint (990 m) above the Vallée de la Mort (Death Valley).
On your way, don't miss
. The customs officers' huts.
. The Echelles de la Mort (the steps of death) site
. The La Cendrée Viewpoint
A short distance from the trail
. The Refrain dam
. The Chapel of Urtière in Saint-Roch
31ppi111pb1431lpi211l844Les Gabelous - Etape G
| DISTANCE : 37.503Km | ASCENT : 578m55 | Walking time : 5h1555 |
Diese letzte Etappe auf Ihrem Weg der Gabelous führt Sie über Les Fins, das Dorf, in dem im Jahr 1818 ein untypischer Schmuggel stattgefunden hat, nach Morteau. In der Tat musste Vater Joriot die Pfarrei verlassen, weil er am Schmuggel von Taschenuhren beteiligt war, die er in die Schweiz schmuggelte, um den Wiederaufbau und den Schmuck seiner Kirche zu bezahlen.
Entdecken Sie die Käse der Gegend in einer der Comté-Käsereien in der Region.
Auf dem Weg zu entdecken
. Bauernhof Les Louisots
. Die Kirche St Claude in Les Fins
. Der Mont Vouillot
Etwas abseits des Weges
. Aussichtspunkt Les Philiberts
. Arboretum in Les Fins
. Käsereien
Well for walking
. INFORMATIONS
Office de Tourisme du Pays-Horloger
tourisme@payshorloger.com
Office de Tourisme de saint Ursanne
. Weather
Tél. : 08 92 68 02 21 - refreshed 3 times per day
. Book your accommodation
. Take ID with you d’identité
. Préparer sa randonnée
Prévoyez: hiking shoes, backpack, rain gear , water bottle , sunscreen, hat, first aid kit, Swiss army knife , binoculars etc ...La time set for the steps is given for information only. This is an estimate based on an actual running time, which takes into account the length and height differences . Adjust your pace. Do not go too fast, take regular breaks and take time to marvel at the beauty of nature around you !
. Respect nature
