Baume-les-Dames. Doubs, Canal and Croix de Châtard

A short post-lunch walk for the whole family along the Doubs and on the heights of Baumes-les-Dames.

Details

112743
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.87 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 206 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 206 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 452 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 263 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Go to Baume-les-Dames. At the traffic lights, follow the RD50 towards Pontarlier. At the roundabout, before the large blue bridge, turn as if you were going to the Super U supermarket. Take the street opposite the supermarket entrance and park in one of the car parks on Allée Jouffroy d'Abbans.

(S/E) From there, go to the back of the square to see the stele commemorating the fact that it was on this section of the Doubs that the first steam and rowing boat, the Pyroscaphe, was tested between 1776 and 1778 by Jouffroy d'Abbans and the boilermaker Pourchot. Return to the roundabout and take the D50 (Rue Mi-Cour) towards Pont les Moulins.

(1) Cross the large blue bridge and then the bridge over the canal. Cross the D50 with caution and walk down along the canal to take the towpath heading due east (blue and yellow markings, canal on your left). Watch out for cyclists, as they can approach silently. At the junction with the Doubs, cross the footbridge over the Cusancin.

(2) Turn right after the footbridge towards Rue des Pipes. Walk past the old Ropp pipe factory (awaiting conversion into an eco-museum). Walk past the housing estates to reach the D19e. Turn right and cross the bridge over the Cusancin. At the crossroads, cross the D50 and climb up opposite, following the path that climbs the embankment of the road towards the memorial to hikers.

(3) Follow the red and whiteGR®59markings, doubled with yellow and blue, towards Croix de Châtard. The climb offers beautiful views of the Doubs valley and Baume les Dames and leads to Croix de Châtard.

(4) After a short rest, leave this beautiful spot and leave the main path (red and white markings) in favour of the ridge path (yellow and blue markings). This section is ideal for spotting chamois. After following the ridge, the path descends to the car park littered with logs.

(5) Turn right, go through the barrier and you will come out onto the D112. Turn right again and after 50 metres, cross the road and take the path that descends just before the parapet of a retaining wall (marked yellow and blue, towards Baume-les-Dames). The winding descent leads to the bottom of the leisure centre car park.

(6) Turn left to exit the car park and join the D277.

(7) Turn right (Rue du Quai du Canal), walk along the port and the harbour master's office.

(8) After the lock, turn left and cross the bridge.

N.B. For those who wish to shorten the walk, turn right to reach the main road and return to the car park.

(9) Cross the footbridge over the Doubs, take a moment on the left then turn right, strolling at your leisure along the paths of the leisure area with its many games. At the exit towards the car park, take Rue du Stand then turn right onto Rue du 3ème Spahis to reach the car park at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 267 m - Car parks on Allée Jouffroy in Abbans
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 265 m - Cross the RD 50 to reach the towpath of the - Canal du Rhône au Rhin
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 269 m - Footbridge over the - Cusancin (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 2.12 - alt. 282 m - Stele at the foot of the trail
  5. 4 : km 3.2 - alt. 452 m - Croix de Châtard (views of the Doubs and B-les-D) - Roche de Châtard (Baume-les-Dames)
  6. 5 : km 4.71 - alt. 367 m - Car park (wood yard)
  7. 6 : km 5.81 - alt. 276 m - Leisure and meeting room
  8. 7 : km 6.11 - alt. 268 m - RD 277
  9. 8 : km 6.98 - alt. 270 m - Bridge over the lock gates
  10. 9 : km 7.4 - alt. 268 m - Footbridge over the - Doubs (rivière)
  11. S/E : km 8.87 - alt. 267 m - Car parks on Allée Jouffroy in Abbans

Notes

The Croix de Chatard section requires good footwear, or even walking sticks or poles.

Worth a visit

Mini-cruise on the canal and the Doubs. Information available at the harbour master's office

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Pierrot DAVID
Pierrot DAVID

Thank you for this new review.
After the previous review, which left me perplexed, I am now reassured.
Enjoy your next hikes on Visorando

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ghislaine25360
ghislaine25360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with beautiful views. The initial climb is a bit steep as you walk over rocks, but we took it slowly. We recommend using walking sticks if it has rained in the previous days.
The rest of the walk along the ridges is very pleasant, with views all along the way. The partial tour of Baume les Dames is also worth doing.
We highly recommend this beautiful circuit

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Pierrot DAVID
Pierrot DAVID

Hello,
After a series of several very good reviews, I am surprised by your opinion.
As you have not provided any explanation for the problems encountered, except for the rain, which unfortunately I cannot do anything about, I am unable to make any changes to the explanations for this route.
Don't let this discourage you, and good luck on the Visorando trails!

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Ericbonnet1
Ericbonnet1
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this trail, which is moderately difficult depending on weather conditions. It rained on the day we were there, so the ground was slippery. You'll need good footwear and walking sticks. The route is very pretty. The view from the top is magnificent.

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Geekgirl78
Geekgirl78

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Be careful if you are not used to this route, as the start of the climb is quite difficult due to the many rocks and steep slope.
Also, be careful when crossing the main road after the bridge with the pipes, as it is on a bend and there is a lot of traffic.
Other than that, it's a very beautiful hike, with shade and great views.

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steph koch
steph koch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

please note that the pipe bridge on the Cusancin is destroyed
it will be rebuilt on 29 July if the sign is correct

the view is magnificent
it is possible to set up a terrace on the way back to the harbour master's office

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Bby
Bby

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-marked circuit, cleared of branches

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Régis L2
Régis L2

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Bring good shoes for the rocky section; there is a lovely view of the Doubs and the town from the Chatard cross.

best regards

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Taillard
Taillard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb outing with friends, everything was perfect in glorious weather 😎👍

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francine88
francine88

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route offering magnificent views of Baume les Dames and the Doubs river along the ridge.
Be sure to walk down a few metres from the car park on the D112 to find the path leading downhill.

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PHerrmann
PHerrmann

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent hike with exceptional views of Baume-les-Dames.

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DEBELLY
DEBELLY

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very interesting hike with beautiful views of Baume.
Be careful to go around the large rock on the right on the climb up to the cross and find the markings
On the left, there is an unmarked path on a slope that also leads to the cross

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claude49maguy54
claude49maguy54

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

a lovely walk in the shade on a very sunny day; beautiful views of Baume-les-Dames
Dames.
NB The Chatard cross is at an altitude of 455 m, not 415 m
A beautiful but challenging rocky climb

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thithi1966
thithi1966

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

there are a few short, steep climbs up to the Chatard cross, but the view rewards those who make the effort...
we highly recommend using walking sticks for the climbs over rocky terrain.

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amuller
amuller

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a 2½-hour walk for those of us who are not very fit
the walk is very interesting, even magnificent, and perfectly signposted

however, if you are doing it with young children, be careful, as the path along the ridge is not protected at all!

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