The Dent de Vaulion is a 1,483 m summit in the Vaud Jura, overlooking the Vallée de Joux and Vallorbe. Climb it on foot or on snowshoes, or drive up to the mountain café, for a panorama over the region’s lakes, the Alps and Mont Blanc.
Viewpoints & lookouts
Dent de Vaulion
Main highlights
- Panorama from 1,483 m over the region’s lakes, the Alps and Mont Blanc
- 10 km loop from Le Pont, through forests, wooded pastures and Pétra Félix
- Mountain café near the summit, reached by a dead-end road, a 15-minute walk away
Overview
The Dent de Vaulion rises to 1,483 m. It is one of the three Swiss Jura summits overlooking Lac de Joux and ranks among the best-known viewpoints in the region, between the Vallée de Joux and Vallorbe.
The summit lies within the Jura Vaudois Regional Nature Park. The park stretches from the summit of La Dôle to the medieval village of Romainmôtier and brings together 30 municipalities. The landscape alternates between spruce forests, wooded pastures and dry-stone walls typical of the Jura. Several routes let you choose your approach according to your fitness level.
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Things to see and do
A 10 km loop starts from Le Pont, on the shore of Lac de Joux, near Lac Brenet. It climbs to the summit and returns via the Bois de Pétra Félix, a former defensive barrier position and military site of national importance. Allow about 3 hours for 440 m of elevation gain.
From the summit, the view takes in several lakes, including Lake Geneva and the lakes of Neuchâtel, Biel, Joux and Brenet, with the Alps and the Mont Blanc massif as a backdrop. On the way up, you may spot chamois and marmots amid a varied flora.
In winter, waymarked snowshoe trails start from Le Pont, Vaulion or the Col de Pétra Félix and cross snow-covered forests and pastures to the summit. The ascent is also popular with ski tourers, with a descent possible depending on snow conditions.
Practical information
Access : from the Pétra-Félix car park, a waymarked trail reaches the summit in about 45 minutes. A dead-end road passes the Auberge du Morez and leads to the mountain café car park, a 15-minute walk from the summit.
Visit duration : from 30 minutes from the mountain café to about 3 hours for the loop from Le Pont.
Suitable for : families, keen hikers and ski tourers.
On site : the Buvette de la Dent de Vaulion, near the summit.
Visitor tips
If you drive up, check the road conditions, especially in winter or in bad weather. The mountain café is busy at weekends and during school holidays : book your table in advance.
On foot, wear suitable footwear and bring clothing for weather that changes quickly at altitude. The summer months offer the best visibility, and arriving early in the morning helps avoid the crowds.
Nearby attractions
- The Vallorbe Caves form an underground network carved by the Orbe river, rich in stalactites and stalagmites.
- The Romainmôtier Abbey Church traces fifteen centuries of monastic history in well-preserved architecture.
- Fort de Pré-Giroud, built between 1937 and 1941, can be visited with a guide in the hills above Vallorbe.
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