Vallorbe to Les Hôpitaux-Neufs

 

We had initially planned to take a bus from Vallorbe to Les Hôpitaux-Neufs, but later discovered that the bus only leaves Vallorbe very early on Sunday mornings. We then had the option to spend several hours on a train and a different bus to go very far out of the way to get to Les Hôpitaux-Neufs via public transportation, or walk the 10 km (6 miles). We chose to walk.

Because this route is not part of the Via Francigena, none of the guidebooks provided directions for it. For others who may choose to do this walk, here is what we discovered.

From the Vallorbe train station, look for the marked trail heading northeast out of Vallorbe. 

Continue to follow the signage toward Jougne. Soon after turning onto Rte de Bellevue, take the left turn up the steps (again following trail markings). At the intersection with the road, stay straight. This trail goes through fields and woods, and then appears to follow an ancienne voie romaine, an old stone-lined road. 

Here we crossed the border into France.

The marked signage changes here. Follow the red and white markings. Eventually the trail with red and white markings turns left and follows a small stream. Do NOT take that red-and-white marked trail. It follows the border and heads west. Instead, stay straight on the trail marked with small blue and yellow stripes. Eventually the trail passes a ski lift at the base of Mont D’Or and continues to Les Tavins. At the picnic area, take the dirt trail to the left. At a fork, take the logging road to the right. This trail was very muddy (I stepped off the stone path where water runs down the trail and sunk my whole foot into the mud!) and slow-going but is only about 1 km long. At the end, turn right, then immediately turn left onto a narrow foot path through the field. Stay straight on this until reaching Les Hôpitaux-Neufs.

According to a sign at the Vallorbe train station, the walk to Jougne should take about 2 hours. Thunderstorms spurred us on, but still it took us about 3.5 hours with all the stops we made to admire and take photos, and simply enjoy being in the countryside together.