Lac de Joux

The huge Lac de Joux in the Jura valley of the same name is a draw for outdoor enthusiasts at any time of year. In summer it’s a magnet for swimmers, sailors and windsurfers making the most of the warm water and favourable winds, while cyclists and hikers take to the many marked trails around the lake. In winter its relatively high altitude (1,004m) means the lake often freezes over, becoming the largest natural outdoor ice skating rink in Europe. Skating on the vast expanse of ice is a truly freeing experience, even if the lack of barriers and ungroomed ice mean novices are likely to wobble and fall. Meanwhile snow turns the trails around the lake into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing tracks – some of the best in the Jura. Equipment can be hired at a number of sports shops in the area.