The Pichoux waterfall

The Pichoux waterfall (not to be confused with the Pichoux Gorges, which the Sorne River flows through) is one of the highest waterfalls in the Jura. It is located behind the village of Péry, up the hill towards Montoz. This relatively unknown waterfall (there are not many references to it) is easily accessible from Péry by following a forest path. The waterfall is fed by the Pichoux Stream, the source of which is a little higher up and is also worth a visit.

We started at the Reuchenette-Péry train station and followed the marked trail, which first passes the ruins of Châtillon and then goes through the village of Péry. Once out of the village, we followed the Via Jura for a little while longer until we reached the point where we had to cross the Pichoux. At this point, a path branches off to follow the stream and lead to the foot of the waterfall. To continue up the hill, we followed another trail that goes over the waterfall and requires crossing a small, exposed section. Further up the hill, we joined the car-accessible path that leads to the bottom of the valley, below La Talvonne. At the end of the valley, it is worth going up to the source of the Pichoux, where the water flows out of a small cave.

For the rest of the climb, we followed the path up to La Talvonne. Above this isolated house, it is not too difficult to find the trail indicated on the map that goes around the hill and back to the pastures below the Cabane du Ski Club La Heutte, where a marked trail can be found. This trail goes up to the Werdtberg Hotel (also known as the Métairie de Werdt).

From the hotel, we continued along the marked trail and then took the trail that goes down to Châtillon and Sonceboz. The descent is through pastures at the beginning, before joining the wide crest down to Sonceboz. At the end of the crest, you must follow a section of the Transjurane before taking the road to the Col de Pierre-Pertuis to reach the centre of the village and the train station.

Route: Reuchenette-Péry (train station) – Péry – Pichoux waterfall – Source of the Pichoux – La Talvonne – Cabane du Ski Club La Heutte – Werdtberg – Châtillon – Sonceboz (train station)
Distance: 12.7km
Elevation gain: 790m
Duration: 5 hours