Chaumont (Haute-Marne) walks

Set off on a loop in the heart of the vast Corgebin State Forest, a stone's throw from Chaumont. Covering an area of 1,100 hectares, this forest became state property in 1789. Located in Haute-Marne, it is the closest state forest to the town of Chaumont, the department's prefecture. It is managed by the ONF (French National Forestry Office) for the sustainable production of quality wood, environmental protection and public access, while also allowing hunting in winter. It is very popular with the public, who come here to enjoy the peace and quiet and get in touch with nature on the outskirts of the town. It is a limestone plateau forest, consisting of beech-based deciduous stands. The landscapes are varied, ranging from coppice with standards to high forest. A nature trail starting at the Muguet visitor centre allows visitors to familiarise themselves with the main species present.

This circuit cleverly combines the three walks around Chateauvillain: the Castle Park (which includes the Deer Park), the Belle Balade and its original sculptures carved into the forest, and a visit to the town of Chateauvillain, notably the Fortifications Trail. A rich and varied walk with no difficulties.

A short, easy walk with views of Andelot, Montéclair and the Fouillot hill that hides Rimaucourt. You can also see the Moulin district and its very old Tréfilerie factory.

A route exploring the Haut-Marne countryside (route no. 51, marked in yellow and green).

A lovely, varied walk through vineyards, forests, plains, valleys and plateaus, from Buchey to Buchey via Harricourt and Biernes. There are some steep climbs that lead to beautiful viewpoints.

The walk is mainly through woodland, but with a few passages through farmland or pastures to vary the landscape. It visits four pleasant villages with churches and refreshing fountains, as well as several picnic areas. It offers views of Lac de la Mouche and winds its way along the foot of cliffs, some of which are jagged, such as along the "ecological trail" (from (15) to (16)).If you find the walk a little long, you can shorten it to about 15 km by cutting from (8) to (17).

A route that takes you to the Cul du Cerf, a limestone cirque 200 metres wide and 65 metres high, at the bottom of which flows the underground spring known as La Manoise. A Natura 2000-listed site notable for its flora, where you can admire the spring gushing from the ground, protected by a metal grille. A fairly technical route with some difficulties due to the nature of the terrain.

This route, initially designed to connect to the Culmont-Chalindrey railway junction, has been extended to Dijon due to the cancellation of the train service! It crosses the mustard fields of the Côte-d'Or and the former sand pits of La Tille, which have been converted into ponds that are more popular with fishermen than tourists.

Langres is one of the sub-prefectures of Haute-Marne. The town is unique in being completely surrounded by ramparts, making it the town with the longest fortified wall in Europe. This section takes you on a tour of Langres’ historic centre and along the 3-kilometre-long walkway of the medieval fortifications. The route through the town itself is equally charming, featuring a number of historic monuments, including Saint-Mammès Cathedral, and for those wishing to extend their visit to Langres, there is also the town museum to explore.

This walk leads to Brachay, the birthplace of Philippe Lebon (1767), inventor of lighting gas produced by distilling wood. A bust in his honour stands in front of the town hall, and two houses that once belonged to him can also be seen.

This route takes you around Lac de la Liez along a path in the heart of unspoilt countryside. The lake is very busy in season and is the perfect place to relax, either on the beach or by taking part in the various activities on offer (sailing, water skiing, tubing, etc.). But nature lovers can also enjoy themselves away from the area near the Liez Reservoir dam and Langres Plage.

A walk steeped in history, as we pass through Doulevant-le-Château, where Napoleon stayed on two occasions. We also pass through Villiers-aux-Chênes, home to an ancient Merovingian cemetery, and finally through Dommartin-le-Saint-Père, where you can visit the Foundry Museum.

A lovely walk in the hills above Bar-sur-Aube, starting from the Sainte-Germaine Farm, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to watch paragliders. Make the most of the beautiful views from this vantage point.

From Mathons to Morancourt via the Bois des Convers and back via Haut de la Maize, making for a lovely, undulating walk through plains and woodland teeming with roe deer. You can’t complete the entire walk without spotting several.

Explore the plateau between Baudrecourt and Dommartin-le-Saint-Père and its many wind turbines, passing through Baudrecourt. Enjoy the pretty old stone houses, now renovated. You can also see a watercress bed in the Blaiseron riverbed.

Bergères is a charming wine-growing commune in the Côte des Bar. This route offers picturesque landscapes of the Côte des Bar through valleys, hillsides, vineyards, fields, moors and forests. From April to June, magnificent orchids bloom on the calcareous soils of the Côte de l'Église and Côte Garnier. This route largely follows the Circuit de la Croix Bleue. It also follows the GR® de Pays des deux Bar and the GR® Gaston Bachelard.

Two-part hike: a beautiful forest loop ending at the animal park enclosures (fallow deer and wild boar), followed by a visit to the charming village of Auberive, with a tour of the former Cistercian abbey and a review of its rich history from its foundation in 1135 to its current status as a museum and exhibition venue.

This route allows you to explore the village of Auberive and its abbey (open to visitors; check opening times and days). Most of the route is through forest and offers views of the tufa formations (information panel on site).

A walk in the forest between Courcelles-sur-Blaise and Mertrud. In spring, you can pick lovely bunches of lily of the valley here. In summer, when you’re looking for a bit of cool shade, this route is ideal as it runs entirely through the forest.

A short, bucolic walk in the forest between Bailly-aux-Forges and Laneuville-à-Rémy. Most of the route is in the forest, which is very pleasant in summer. In winter, the southern part can be a little damp.

Discover the wild flora and fauna in the heart of the Pays des 4 Lacs.

A beautiful walk around Thilleux, Rozières and Sommevoire with a lovely view from the heights above Rozières. Please note: you will pass through the courtyard of Moulin des Prés; permission must be requested from the owner.

Fayl-Billot is a village of 1,300 inhabitants located in the Haute-Marne department. It is best known as the capital of basketry. There are many artisans practising this craft in the village. At the end of this walk, do not hesitate to take home a souvenir. This walk takes in the village’s main tourist and cultural attractions, such as the National School of Osier Cultivation and Basketry, Notre-Dame Church, as well as all the village’s wash houses and fountains.

A lovely, varied walk that follows an old railway line and farm tracks through flat countryside and forest, passing through two small villages. Depending on the season, you may be lucky enough to find wild walnuts along the old railway line.

Far from busy roads, this is a small, hilly, shaded route full of running water, where it is not uncommon to see roe deer, does, birds of prey and herons. Discover hidden villages in northern Burgundy.