Canal du Rhône au Rhin walks

This hike, following in the footsteps of Marquis Claude François Dorothée de Jouffroy d'Abbans, naval architect and designer of the steamboat, will take you between the Loue and Doubs rivers, from oratories to churches, in the heart of our devout Comtois countryside, leaving you time to meditate on the twilight paths of our wooded mountains.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warrior-like with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, and will lead you through bucolic me anders towards the beautifully named Notre-Dame de l'Assomption des Champs, protecting you from demonic medieval gargoyles.

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.

A country circuit through forests, villages, fields and rivers.

Before the construction of the Canal of Alsace (1928), the Rhine extended its arms east of the Huningue Canal (1806) over a wide area of 1km to 2km. From the Rhone Canal on the North Rhine to the Barre d'Istein on the Old Rhine, along paths and trails often in the protected areas of the "Little Alsatian Camargue.", you'll discover numerous natural and industrial sites related to the history of the Rhine. Begin with a stroll between the drawbridge of Kembs (1831) and l'Ecluse Le Corbusier (1961).

A stroll along the ridge separating the Loue Valley and that of the river Doubs and then along the banks of the Doubs with a panoramic view of the Château de Montferrand ruins.

Starting from the church in Avanne, you will walk along the river, climb up to the cabordes, old dry stone winegrowers' huts, then on to Fort de Planoise or Fort Moncey, built in 1877, the first defensive rampart of the city of Besançon. You will pass numerous batteries and fortifications at a military pace, then stop at the superb viewpoints, one overlooking Besançon and its hills, the second to the south, overlooking the Doubs valley and the Jura mountains.

This is a challenging hike offering three viewpoints over the Doubs valley and its meanders, the Val de Roulans, the Jura mountains and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc. You will visit the two villages in the valley, Laissey and Deluz, which are peaceful today but still echo with the industrious sounds of the old mines and paper mills, and enjoy their genuine and simple riches: here a naive war memorial, there an ancient forgotten cul-de-four oven or an old wash house.

A short post-lunch walk for the whole family along the Doubs and on the heights of Baumes-les-Dames.

A short climb to warm up your legs and discover two villages and exceptional views over the Doubs and Loue valleys, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont, overlooking the valley, the Château de Thoraise above the river, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders and, on the horizon, Besançon. Then a more leisurely return via the towpath, along the banks of the Doubs in the protective shade of the ruins.

From Virgin to Virgin, not forgetting the big bad wolves, you will discover a superb panorama of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of Montferrand Castle, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, commercial with the Percée de Thoraise. As you climb the Éssart du Loup, you can dream of those distant times when the simple, tranquil beauty of our Comtois landscapes could be disturbed by sinister encounters.

Easy stroll through the canals of Dole. View of Dole and its Collegiate Church.

An urban hike to discover the hills of Besançon. Natural factors such as soil, climate and altitude, combined with the action of water, have shaped the hills of Chaudanne and Rosemont, which are remarkable natural areas. Let yourself be seduced by the beauty of unspoilt nature, proving that our provincial Besançon has managed to remain a city in the countryside.

Discover panoramic views of the Doubs valley, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont and, dominating the valley, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders. Then a picturesque steep path will take you down through a beautiful forest of slender trees to the Canal Monsieur dit la Percée de Thoraise, a 185-metre tunnel dating from 1810.

Just a stone's throw from Besançon city centre, this hike will allow you to discover the capital of Franche-Comté from several different viewpoints. You will also discover the Citadel built by Vauban and several other forts and architectural features that made up the city's fortification system.

It is in late February and early March that you should go to meet spring in the forest of Saint-Bernard. This is where the snowdrops appear, signalling the end of winter.

Hike to discover Fort de Chaudanne with its panoramic view of Besançon and the citadel and the small paths surrounding the site.

Visit the Notre-Dame-du-Mont Chapel in Thoraise. Superb view of the Doubs and Montferrand Castle.

Du splendide belvédère de Notre-Dame de la Libération, sur la boucle surmontée de sa Citadelle et sur les monts jurassiens, vous poursuivrez par la voie romaine vers la Grotte-Ermitage de Saint-Léonard et reviendrez à la chapelle par les Monts des Buis.

Hike starting in the village, then through the Chalèze woods to reach the Arcier springs. The return journey is along the Doubs river via the cycle path.

Present on the hills of Besançon since the 16th century, these dry stone constructions without mortar are a reminder of a time when vineyards stretched across the hillsides. A niche, a bench, a fireplace, they allowed the winegrower to store his tools, shelter in case of a storm and perhaps sleep there for a night, as the city gates closed every evening at 10:45 p.m. until 1875. Along the way, you will discover no fewer than five belvederes and the forts of Rosemont and Planoise.

A stroll along the fortifications built by Vauban, a tour of the surrounding countryside, return via the Vauban Canal, a tour of the fishing ponds and return to the town via the fortifications.

A short climb up one of Besançon's seven hills: Chaudanne, with its unspoilt natural beauty, its dry grasslands shaped by nature and man, its fort and its views of the Citadel, the old town and the southern Doubs valley.

Hike to discover several viewpoints on the outskirts of Besançon.

Forest walk to the viewpoint of the Chapelle de Montoille sur Deluz and the Doubs valley, peaceful today but still echoing with the industrious sounds of the old mines and paper mills of yesteryear, to the Rochers du Château Loriot viewpoint, and finally down to the Grotte de sous Roche and the village.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, all while travelling along a beautiful ridge line.

Starting from Strasbourg, explore the peaceful banks of the Ill and observe its wildlife. Follow the dark waters of the mysterious Schwarzwasser as it winds its way through the heart of the Neuhof Forest. Finally, criss-cross the paths of the Rhine Tortu, which undulate to the gates of the city. Between water and forest, set your sights on unspoilt, peaceful nature, yet so close to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Visit the ruins of Montferrand le Château castle.

A walk to discover Brunstatt and its hills, mostly through fields, with beautiful views of the Vosges mountains.

The citadel, a masterpiece by Vauban, overlooks the old town, which is enclosed in a circular bend in the river (the Boucle), from a height of over 100 metres. Its ramparts offer spectacular panoramic views. You will climb up along the ramparts and casemates, then descend the other side towards the entrance to the city, the Porte Rivotte and the toll house. Then, walking along the riverbank, you will discover the towers and bastions that protect the city, ending at the Gare d'Eau, the old goods port.

From the sumptuous Château de Vaire-le-Grand, the whim and ruin of Jean-Antoine Boisot, son of a close friend of King Louis XIV, you will climb towards La Roche Blanche. This is an unsecured viewpoint (caution!) over the Doubs valley. You will be taken by surprise by the rustic fountain of Les Tilleuls and descend via the beautiful sunken path lined with wild garlic at La Vacherie. You will then return along the riverbank, in the shade of the Rochers du Château Loriot, to discover the old paper mill.

From the ancient Fontaine de Janniet, lost in the depths of the woods where, perhaps, the Vouivre dragon once gazed at its reflection in its green waters, you will plunge into the wild freshness of the Nacra valley. Then, slipping under the ruins of the old castle, accompanied by the scent of boxwood so characteristic of our limestone mountains, you will return, following the river and climbing back up the mountain via the beautifully named "Chemin du Traîne Bâton" (Walking Stick Path).

Discover Thoraise, its narrow streets and ancient postern gates, its castle and the banks of the Doubs. Then climb up to the Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint overlooking the valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Montferrand, ending finally at the Thoraise breakthrough and the Monsieur canal.

A pleasant hike in Montreux-Château, 15 km east of Belfort. It will allow you to discover some very pretty villages: - Autrage and Novillard with their pretty half-timbered houses. - Petit-Croix with the Pégoud monument. - Montreux-Château with its beautiful chapel and the motte castrale, the remains of a medieval castle. The route is marked with a blue disc.

Discover the bridges in Voujeaucourt: Bridge over the Doubs, railway bridge over the canal. An easy hike.

Hike between fields and forest near Nordhouse. Pass through the village of Hipsheim and return via the Rhône-Rhine canal. Pass by the Borne 2000 monument in Nordhouse.

The hike at Baume-les-Dames undoubtedly offers the most beautiful view of the Doubs valley "canyon". From the Chassignole viewpoint, you can see the Doubs river winding its way through the valley.

Froidefontaine was founded around 1100, when monks from Cluny established a priory in a marshy area. All that remains of the Benedictine monastery church is the 12th-century Romanesque apse. Three human heads can be seen on the cornice. The gravestones on either side of the portal date from 1750. The presbytery next to the church is remarkable for its size.

There are plenty of fountains along this forest walk, which will take you scrambling at the foot of high rocks to discover a pretty little valley and forgotten fountains, before returning along a charming circular route of the Doubs.

The Échappée Jurassienne is an invitation to discover, step by step, the striking diversity of the Jura Mountains. This 15-day itinerary links the west to the east, from the plains to the mountains, crossing the unspoilt landscapes of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, far from the borders and close to the essentials. From the peaceful canals of Dole, the trail winds its way through the most iconic sites of the Jura: the Cirque de Baume, lakes, remote valleys, viewpoints and deep forests, before ending majestically in Saint-Claude, a town nestled in the heart of the mountains. Over the course of these 311 km, this itinerary becomes much more than a hike: it is a true distillation of the most exceptional things the Jura has to offer. The richness of the landscapes, the contrasts in altitude and the authenticity of the villages you encounter allow everyone to surpass themselves, immerse themselves fully in the wild beauty and reconnect with the essentials.

A hundred-kilometre circular starting from Saverne, passing along the old Saverne–Romanwiller–Molsheim railway line, then following the Bruche Canal to Strasbourg, before returning via the Marne-Rhine Canal.

First stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This stage starts off relatively easily. Leaving Dole station, you walk through the narrow streets of the town centre of Dole, birthplace of Louis Pasteur, nicknamed "Little Venice" because it is crossed by the River Doubs, which gives it all its charm.Then, inthe second part of the route, you will find some cool shade in the Chaux forest before reaching the village of Vieille-Loye, built in the heart of a cleared clearing, once part of thesecond largest deciduous forest in France.

An ideal walk to start the season, taking you around Colmar and across the Alsace plain to the Rhine. It mainly follows cycle paths or routes, rural roads or quiet roads, with the exception of a few sections where you need to pay attention to traffic.