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).
