Circular route via “Chez le Bolé” to Goumois

de fr

Circular hike starting from Goumois for a short but intense hike, mainly through woodland.
As you cross the bridge, look out for the Rocher du Singe on your left – it’s incredible.
The climb up to “Chez le Bolé” follows a challenging (but not dangerous) path – expect chains and ladders along the way!
Return via Muriaux, along lovely paths and some lovely, steep descents!

Details

n°38428929
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.51 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,369 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,343 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,573 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,614 ft
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Photos

view of France
the Chez Le Bolé path
the Chez Le Bolé path
mini cave

Description of the walk

Park in the car park before the bridge at Goumois, on the French side.

(S/E) Cross the bridge into Switzerland. You’ll see the Rocher du Singe on your left.

(1) Go through customs and, on your right, take the road uphill until you reach a junction. Head towards Le Theusseret until you come to a path on your right – the path leading downhill, towards Le Theusseret.

(2) Enter the forest, follow the River Doubs and pass the Seignon water sports centre to reach a forest track.

(3) Carry on straight ahead, keeping to the right, until you reach the restaurant at Le Theusseret, with its lovely waterfalls.

(4) Cross the small bridge and, on your left, start the climb up ‘Chez le Bolé’; a challenging but not dangerous path. There are chains and several ladders. A magnificent view halfway up (as well as a viewpoint on the way there and back).

(5) Take the path on your left towards Les Sommêtres. Another long, gruelling climb awaits you. Ignore all the paths on your right. Continue climbing. Pass through a gate with two wires, which open easily, then another passage to exit the forest and reach the junction at the refuge.

(6) (You can, as a detour from the main route, make a 20-minute round trip to the Refuge des Sommêtres.) Take the path downhill towards Muriaux.

(7) Keep to the right to reach Muriaux.

(8) Turn left towards Muriaux Village.

(9) On leaving the village, keep to the left, heading towards Goumois.

(10) Leave the road and take the path leading downhill. Ignore all the paths on your left. The route is very well signposted; it’s impossible to go wrong. Take care in wet weather, as the descent is long and very steep. You’ll come to a road.

(11) Keep to the right and take an uphill path. This is the last climb of the day.

(12) At the fork, follow the path downwards, towards Goumois.

(13) Take care: cross the road and take the path leading downhill opposite. The path is narrow. Then ignore the path on your right.

(14) At the junction, continue down the forest track. Ignore the path leading uphill on the right. You’ll arrive at Goumois and follow the road downhill to reach the bridge, then the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,617 ft - Car park before the bridge - Doubs (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.05 - alt. 1,617 ft - Douane. Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.35 - alt. 1,716 ft - Downhill path
  4. 3 : mi 1.43 - alt. 1,709 ft - Forest track
  5. 4 : mi 1.67 - alt. 1,677 ft - Small bridge
  6. 5 : mi 2.93 - alt. 2,743 ft - Head towards Les Sommêtres
  7. 6 : mi 3.78 - alt. 3,556 ft - Les Sommêtres
  8. 7 : mi 4.01 - alt. 3,445 ft - Head towards Muriaux
  9. 8 : mi 4.62 - alt. 3,169 ft - Head towards the village of Muriaux
  10. 9 : mi 5 - alt. 3,114 ft - Head towards Goumois
  11. 10 : mi 5.37 - alt. 3,117 ft - Middle path
  12. 11 : mi 6.13 - alt. 2,323 ft - Route
  13. 12 : mi 6.48 - alt. 2,628 ft - Downhill path
  14. 13 : mi 6.6 - alt. 2,454 ft - Route
  15. 14 : mi 7.14 - alt. 1,775 ft - Forest track
  16. S/E : mi 7.51 - alt. 1,617 ft - Car park before the bridge

Notes

You can stop off at the “Le Theusseret” restaurant to refuel before heading up to “Chez le Bolé”
The “Arêtes des Sommêtres” mountain hut is well worth a visit; as I’d been there before, I didn’t go back this time. Allow 20 minutes for a round trip – it’s ideal for a picnic break, with magnificent views.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 22540415

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In my humble opinion, the Swiss side is a bit off-putting with far too many roads and tracks for my liking, while the French side is much more pleasant with a small path for most of the way.

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bourdenetpierrot
bourdenetpierrot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, beautiful scenery
The diversions to the refuge is well worth it, a beautiful shelter with toilets to see 🤭
Avoid hiking on sunny days ☔️

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Meillet J-A
Meillet J-A

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice hike, difficult but not dangerous.
The scenery is magnificent, and you absolutely must make the return trip to the summit.
Otherwise, it was a bit slippery and very muddy between points 5 and 6, but there's been a lot of rain in the last few days.
Thank you for sharing this loop, we really enjoyed it.

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