Baume-les-Dames walks

A beautiful stretch of cliffs and steep forest slopes offer magnificent views of the valley along a superb ridge path, ending with a glimpse of the industrial past of Baume-les-Dames with its old pipe factory and paper mill on the riverbank.

The village has one of the oldest names in our county: Bois de la Fontaine au Loup(Wood of the Wolf's Fountain). So, let's take a walk in the woods while the wolf is away, exploring the magnificent ridge line of Mont Dommage and Chassignole and their views over the Doubs valley, returning via the Val de Bléfond, forgotten by the world with its vats and waterfalls.

You will walk along the riverbank towards the ridges, passing the Narines du Diable (Devil's Nostrils), created from the tears of a good fairy who was imprisoned here, and discover the ancient thermal baths where the beautiful people of the Belle Époque came to recharge their batteries. You will then return along a path lined with old mossy piles of stones gathered from fields, in a green setting that invites you to linger and contemplate.

From the ridges and along the river, discover the Val du Cusancin, which starts at the foot of the Saint-Ermenfroi Chapel. Formed by two resurgences, it offers visitors shades of blue and green. As you climb higher, you will enjoy views of the valley from two rocky promontories.

A short, varied and shaded route to discover the ancient Hiboux valley, the old Cistercian abbey and the magnificent Audeux waterfall.

A beautiful loop starting from the town hall in Cognières, combining nature, heritage and tranquillity. The route passes through Montagney and runs alongside the Ognon river before climbing gently towards the woods and the Saint-Hilaire chapel, then the Montaucivey chapel, offering superb unobstructed views of the countryside. Pass through Rougemont and its national necropolis. Between typical villages, forests and rural paths, ponds and rivers, this walk offers a beautiful variety of landscapes and a rich heritage to discover, in a calm and bucolic atmosphere.

"In the shade" is a misnomer for this route, which takes you along beautiful sunny forest paths, bordering pastures and woods, to the fortified castle of Belvoir, overlooking the Val de Sancey. Don't forget to visit the old village, centred around its 14th-century market halls, but beware of the irreverent Madge-Fâ as you pass underneath. Finally, you will descend into the valley via the Chemin de la Vie à la Mort (Path of Life and Death), no doubt invigorated by this country walk.

This country walk starts in Lanthenans, a small village in the Comté region hidden away in the countryside, and takes you over hills and through valleys to the Roche du Châtelard viewpoint overlooking Lomont and the Doubs valley. The return route takes you through airy woods, which Marcel Aymé might have described as "the forest is still a little bit of paradise lost. God did not want the first garden to be wiped out by the first sin."

Hike through the mirabelle plum orchards and follow in the footsteps of iron mining.

The municipality of Thise and the March'en Thise Association have mapped out four trails in the Bois de Thise to showcase different aspects of this woodland, including the one described here: the 10 km red trail, known as the Sentier des Dolines.

(!) User comment on 8 August 2025 => the extension of the wind farm means that this trail is closed to the public due to construction work (scheduled to end in November 2026). Hiking impossible due to construction work Discover some of the wind turbines at Lomont de Valonne in Vyt-lès-Belvoir. Beautiful view of Sancey, its surroundings and the Chasseral.

From the foot of a medieval calvary, head towards the Belvédère des Genevois in the small, remote valley of Martinvaux, passing through beautiful pine forests with slender trees. Then descend to the Source de la Reverotte and follow it to the Puits de la Doye and the Grotte de la Baume.

Peaceful downhill hike through the Montfaucon valley to the feudal castle perched on its rocky outcrop. Then from a lost fountain to a forgotten fountain, you will go through and, no doubt, appreciate the wild freshness of the Nacra steephead valley.

A challenging hike in the footsteps of the industrial past of the Gouhenans region (mine shafts, saltworks).

A walk around the Cirque de Consolation with a thrilling variety of views and valleys. Beautiful panoramic views and bodies of water on way.

From the site of the former castle of Ornans, which overlooks the old town, the route climbs towards the pastures offering beautiful views of the upper Loue valley and Mont Poupet. The return journey takes you along cool, pleasant forest paths to La Roche du Grand, a viewpoint overlooking the lower Loue valley, then to the Fontaine aux Vipères, where you can still hear the gossip of our Franche-Comté "cancouaines" (local women).

From a beautiful pine forest, sheltered by beautiful rocks and crossing large boulders detached from the cliffs, you will arrive at the Belvédère de la Roche du Grand viewpoint at the head of the valley, overlooking Ornans and the Val de Scey. Continuing towards the Fontaine aux Vipères, where Courbet's cancan dancers once performed, then to the castle overlooking the town, you will return through meadows overlooking the upper Loue valley, finally descending into the Brême valley through a beautiful, light-filled rocky forest.

Following in the footsteps of Gustave Courbet, the Ravin du Puits Noir was one of the painter's favourite places. You will follow the course of the Brême, walk peacefully along the old Tacot road, climb the Roche du Tourbillon for superb views of the picturesque and steep-sided Brême valley, and finally end at the Prieuré de Bonnevaux, of which only a charming chapel and its 12th-century bell tower remain.

This circuit will allow you to discover the setting of our small Franche-Comté town from three viewpoints: the Belvédère de Notre Dame du Mont, the Château d'Ornans and the Château du Grand, offering sweeping views of the Loue valley. This is a major site on the Courbet Trail, thanks to the famous 1855 painting Le Château d'Ornans, an oil on canvas kept at the Minneapolis Museum. You will discover the Fontaine aux Vipères (Viper Fountain), which still echoes with the gossip of our cancouaines (local women).

Descend towards the corniches of Scey-en-Varais via the aptly named Chemin de Bellevue, a pretty balcony overlooking the Loue Valley. Then climb back up to the Vierge de Malbrans, which offers a magnificent panorama of the Roche de Hautepierre and Mont Poupet and, lost in the greenery, the Castel Saint-Denis and perhaps the summit of Mont Blanc on a clear day. There are tables where you can picnic while enjoying the breathtaking view. Return through a cool and peaceful forest.