Monday, October 12, 2015

Trail Vallée de Joux

We spent a lot of time over the summer exploring the Jura, and in particular the Vallée de Joux. Daniel does much of his training here and we both love the area for its rolling hills, forests and open spaces. On Sunday, Daniel rounded off his trail running season with the Trail Vallée de Joux, a 54km race on some of our favourite hiking routes.

The race started in L'Abbaye before heading up and down to Dent de VaulionCol du Mollendruz, Châtel, Montricher, Mont Tendre, Col du Marchairuz and ending in Le Sentier. It was a fast race and Daniel did brilliantly to finish third overall - his second podium finish in as many weeks!

It was a beautiful time of year to be in the Jura as the landscape is a riot of rich Autumn colours, providing beautiful pictures and great backdrops for action shots of Daniel!

Daniel at Col du Mollendruz, an hour after the start 

The road down from Mont Tendre

Arriving at Col du Marchairuz

The finish was in Le Sentier

Daniel smiling as he heads down the finishing straight

Daniel on the podium!!!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Col du Mollendruz - Châtel (5: Jura)

We enjoyed a scenic autumn hike from Col du Mollendruz to Châtel in the Jura. The hike started at a cross country ski and snowshoe hut (something to check out when the snow comes next month!) and went up through the forest to La Buvette du Châtel, which lies at 1,432m in the Jura Parc Vaudois. The colours are changing on the leaves and it is a beautiful time of year to be in the mountains!

We went up par le pâturage and came down par la route

Through woods...

... and forests

At the top!

Beautiful autumn scenery!

A great trail marker!

Cute mountain cottage... One day... :)

Turnstile on the way down

On our way there we passed a traditional 'Désalpe', a bringing down of the cows from the mountains to the lower pastures for winter. The cows are garlanded with elaborate flower designs and their cow bells are ringing proudly - it was quite a sight!