Esmoulins Circular Loop

Parking is available in the car park at Place des Tilleuls.

(S/E) Head south-east along the D21 towards Noiron for approximately 2.2 km. Pass the Gray stadium and the equestrian centre. About 100 m after entering the forest, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(1) Take the white path on the right for 600 m, then the dirt track on the left.

(2) At the end of this dirt track, follow the white track to the right for 400 m, then turn left onto a dirt track that runs almost in a straight line for about 1 km, crossing a white track and running alongside a pond. You will reach a wide cross-track.

(3) Turn right onto the white track and continue along the edge of the woodland until you reach the D475.

(4) Cross it carefully and carry on straight ahead along a dirt track until you reach a crossroads (elevation 202).

(5) Take the white track on the left until you reach a crossroad at the entrance to Esmoulins. Turn right onto this road and pass through Esmoulins following the D179. Pass the fountain and the wash house and reach the edge of the village.

(6) After the last house on the right, take the dirt track through the middle of the fields. At the crossroads, turn right onto this track and follow it for 200 m. Then turn left onto the dirt track and continue for about 100 m.

(7) Key point on the route: take the path on the left which leads into a wooded area. Follow this path (an old railway line) to the entrance to Velet.

(8) Then follow Rue des Acacias, then turn left onto Rue d’Apremont. At the Stop sign, turn right, then right again onto Rue Marquet. Next, turn left onto Rue des Vignes for 50 metres and right onto Rue des Juifs until you reach the D39.

(9) Turn right then left to cross the D39, then head opposite towards “Rives de Saône” via Rue des Prés until you reach the banks of the Saône and a cross-road. Follow this to the right for 200 metres.

(10) Leave the banks of the Saône and turn onto the dirt track on the right, crossing the fields to Essertey.

(11) Turn right and follow the D105. Pass in front of the Gray-la-Ville stadium. Then turn left onto Rue du Trouhot.

(12) At the junction, turn left onto Rue du Val de Saône and continue along Rue de Sonjour as far as the Sonjour sports hall.

(13) Follow the path to the roundabout. Then turn right onto the D475 towards Dole until you reach the next roundabout. Next, turn left onto Avenue Revon and head for Place des Tilleuls (S/E).

Avoid this route during the hunting season and in wet weather.