Circular Échavanne-Frahier route via the canal, the woods and Frahier harbour

The route starts from the car park behind the Échavanne Village Hall.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, turn right along the D16 and keep to the right to take Rue de Chenebier.

(1) After the fountain, turn right onto Rue des Fougères. Go to the end of the street and, as you enter the woods, continue straight on along the forest path, leaving the path that climbs uphill on your left.

(2) Before reaching the turning area and log storage site, take a small path on the right that descends towards a pond. Cross the stream via the footbridge, then climb up to the canal towpath via a path on your left.

(3) Then turn right to go round the canal and continue to the D619.

(4) Turn left. Follow the main road for about 50 metres, then turn left onto the woodland path running parallel to the canal. Follow this path until you reach the ford, which will be on your left.

(5) Turn right onto the path that climbs into the woods and head towards the hamlet of Canton des Oliviers.

(6) Turn left to reach the D619, which you will cross at the pedestrian crossing, taking care of the traffic. Take the steps opposite the crossing, then head right.

(7) After about a hundred metres, follow a dirt track to the left into the woods, passing an amateur radio mast. Turn right onto this woodland path.

(8) When you reach the turning area, continue along the path in front of you, which starts off running parallel to the edge of the forest. This path then turns left and descends to join the drainage channel of the Bassin de Champagney.

(9) Turn right and follow this canal.

(10) Cross the bridge and turn right to reach Frahier harbour.

(11) Turn left to walk alongside the canal. Continue to the first bridge on your right.

(12) Cross the bridge, continue the route by turning right as you leave the bridge, then right again to go under it. Continue along the canal, but this time on the right-hand side. Cross Rue des Creuses at the pedestrian crossing, go straight on, go under another bridge and continue along the canal.

(13) Take the first path on your right. At the end of this path, continue right onto Rue d’Evette until you reach the church.

(14) Go round the church on the right to rejoin the D619. Cross at the pedestrian crossing, take the passage between the post office and the tobacconist’s to reach the playground, then turn right into Impasse du Lizain.

(15) Turn left onto Rue d’Échavanne and continue along Rue de Frahier.

(16) Turn left onto Rue de la Petite Fontaine, which you will see on your left.

(17) After the fountain, take Chemin du Chanois on your left, which makes a first turn left then right before rejoining the D16. Cross the road and you will find the Salle des Fêtes car park on your right (S/E).

At point (3), there is an option to shorten the circular pattern.
Turn left and follow the canal until you reach a ford on your right. Cross the ford and continue straight ahead.
Please note: after heavy rain, the ford may be impassable.
You have now rejoined the route at point (5).

At point (12), there is a second option to take a shortcut.
Continue straight ahead along Rue du Canal to join the D619. Turn left, cross over, then take Rue des Champs on the right. Walk past the town hall and rejoin Rue d’Échavanne at point (15). Follow this street, keeping to the right, and continue the route.

Walking poles may be useful in a few sections, but also at the ford for those who choose to cross there.

The canal was built between the wars of 1870 and 1914.
The first section has been very poorly maintained since its creation, whilst the second section (the port and the canal) is maintained more regularly.