Chemaudin walks

As its name suggests, this is a short, very easy walk starting from the church in Chemaudin and Vaux. It follows small paths in open countryside and woods. It passes by the Pote farm, which breeds Salers cattle and keeps horses.

A short, easy walk, mostly on unmarked paths, so very little used. You can see the archaeological site of the feudal mound of Placey.

Hike in the forest around Dannemarie-sur-Crète

A lovely, easy walk around Dannemarie-sur-Crète. Beautiful views of the foothills of the Jura and the outskirts of Besançon. You’ll alternate between dirt tracks, forest paths and grassy trails. The second part of the circular walk takes you through more rural landscapes, where you’ll discover an area created by schoolchildren (well worth a visit) and a disused wash house. You can therefore choose to do all or part of this walk, as you wish.

For a change from the crowds in Chailluz Forest, this is a peaceful little walk on the outskirts of Besançon, best done in dry weather.

This is a lovely walk that starts in the Franois woods, where you will find pretty wooden buildings belonging to the nursery school on either side of the path. Then, via a small path through the forest, you will reach the equestrian centre. You will follow the Pirey ridge path, with a view of the "shooting range". You will cross Mont de Pouilley, with its military ruins, its old aviary and its view of the village. Then return to the starting point in Serre.

A few hours in a peaceful area. The terrain is hilly, with views stretching far into the distance. We discover villages with their beautiful fountains and wash houses. We finish at the feudal mound and its discovery trail.

A rural hike through rolling hills, woods, meadows, farmland and villages in the Franche-Comté region.

According to Besançon tradition, the Sun King, Louis XIV, sat under a lime tree during the capture of Besançon by his troops: "the king's lime tree". But "Les Tilleroyes" is undoubtedly an old variant of tilleraie, a forest of lime trees. I don't know if you'll still find any lime trees, but there will be plenty of shade and coolness for city dwellers looking for a breath of fresh air just a stone's throw from the city.

This short, easy family walk will take you through the woods from the Vaugrenans valley to Velesmes, before returning via the outskirts of Benusse and its mill.

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

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.

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.

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 walk around Mont de Pouilley-les-Vignes along the botanical trail, then the fitness trail through paths winding between beautiful moss-covered rocks, dotted with snowdrops and daffodils in spring. At both ends: a viewpoint overlooking the church spires of the surrounding villages and the Haute-Saône; the fortifications built after the defeat of 1870.

A circular walk in the Thoraise plain, with no difficulty whatsoever. The first circular route takes you along the Doubs and past the military camp, then through the Monsieur Canal tunnel. The second loop takes you upstream along the cycle route, followed by a visit to the picturesque site of La Pierre de Vorges, with a return route through the woods. You can also see the Convent of Bethany on the opposite bank and the site of the canal tunnel. There is also a fine view of the ruins of Montferrand Castle.

Around Torpes via the lodge woods and the Rans d’Archaux, returning via the tarmac road.

Visit the ruins of Montferrand le Château castle.

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. You will walk along a beautiful, rocky ridge, punctuated by numerous viewpoints over the valley.

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.

A peaceful family route near Besançon. Discover a restored caborde (stone shelter) and a wide viewpoint with an orientation table.

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.

Discover a secluded valley through which the Ruisseau du Moulin Caillet winds, before a steep climb towards the ridges overlooking the Doubs valley. The route alternates between forest tracks, wild paths and sections through sharp limestone pavements, offering magnificent panoramic views of Montferrand Castle and the Notre-Dame-du-Mont Chapel. A short detour also offers the chance to see a mysterious ancient underground passage carved beneath the cliff face. A varied and charming circular walk, suitable only for walkers with a sure footing for the sections along the cliff edge.

See Practical Information. Besançon, France's first green city, surrounded by wooded hills, is a city in the countryside. This route, from the Malcombe sports complex to Fort de Planoise, will convince you. You will climb picturesque and peaceful paths to two belvederes and cabordes, dry stone huts that bear witness to a time when vineyards stretched across our hillsides.

This is a short country walk in a wide open, peaceful setting where you can enjoy the sunshine if you feel the need. Avoid after a period of rain, as the bottom of the valley tends to turn into a bayou.

This gentle stroll to the Rocher de Valmy, a key site in the Franche-Comté Resistance, offers views of the lower valley where the Doubs river forms one of its most charming meanders. Then, between pastures and beautiful forests, you will discover the Belvédère Martelin overlooking Avanne and the Côte de Planoise, the Roche Trouée, a wild gateway opening onto the valley, and finally, the ruins of Fort de Pugey, the Grotte de Malpertuis and the massive, distant silhouette of Mont Poupet.

A short but richly rewarding walk: the Rocher de Valmy and the memorial stele, a tribute to the 16 resistance fighters shot at the Citadel, located on a rocky outcrop (406m) overlooking the valley where the Doubs river forms one of its most charming meanders; the Martelin viewpoint over Avanne and the Côte de Planoise; the Roche Trouée, a gateway to the valley; and finally, the old royal road with more beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains.

This short walk will take you through woods and meadows to the Chouzelot (or Mont Gardot) monument. After crossing the ridge, you’ll walk through a beautiful forest to return to your car park, passing vineyards and orchards along the way.

A lovely, easy little walk that takes you to the Couvent de Béthanie and along the right bank of the Doubs on the towpath. Along the way, you’ll pass beneath the castles of Thoraise, Torpes and Boussières. Take the time to watch the birds on the Doubs. With a bit of luck, you may also spot coypu, beavers (and their gnaw marks on the trees) or chamois towards the end of the route.

Forest hike to discover the Noironte lake, walk along the Rhine-Rhône high-speed rail line, and visit the plague cemetery, which dates back to 1632.

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.

This lovely walk will take you to Busy along pretty, undulating woodland paths to Vorges, after which the gradient reverses on the way to Busy. From there, the road surface changes. A very steep tarmac road will take you to the D083, where you’ll take a ridge path, then the Roman road and dirt tracks for the return journey. This route offers beautiful panoramic views of several spots in the Doubs Valley.

A short family walk combining a tarmac road at the start, followed by long stretches through woodland before climbing up to the chapel to enjoy a magnificent view over the Doubs valley and Besançon.

This short but intense hike will take you to a series of historical sites, including the military fort at Pugey, the ruins of Arguel Feudal Castle and the Valmy Monument, a memorial to the members of the Guy Mocquet resistance group who were shot at the citadel, as well as natural sites such as Malpertuis Cave, the Arguel Castle viewpoint, the viewpoint towards the Chère cave, the surprising Roche Trouée in the Martelin woods and finally the Valmy Monument viewpoint, which overlooks Besançon and the entire valley, from the Vosges to Burgundy.

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.

A short, challenging walk to climb up to the Combe des Œillets vineyard huts, these dry-stone structures built without mortar, where winegrowers stored their tools, took shelter during storms and sometimes slept when working late. Return via the Rosemont viewpoint overlooking the upper Doubs valley and the Jura mountains.

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.

An urban hike, you might say, but one which, as you climb Rosemont and La Roche d’Or, will offer you a wealth of nature just a stone’s throw from the old town and the new town, with its steep cliff-top paths, the beautifully named Combe de l'Oeillet, its old cabordes, and its scree slopes formed by the natural weathering of the cliffs and the piles of stones left by our forebears, who cultivated our Besançon hillsides in terraces.

You’ll climb up to the winegrowers’ huts in the Combe des Œillets – these dry-stone structures built without mortar, where winegrowers used to store their tools and take shelter in the event of a storm. Return via the Rosemont cliffs and their views over the upper Doubs valley and the Jura mountains. Just a stone’s throw from the “Rosemont” tram stop, this short, challenging walk will prove – if proof were needed – that Besançon is a city in the countryside!

Until the 19th century, Rosemont Hill was cultivated using dry-stone terraces, on which vines, amongst other crops, were grown. The ‘cabordes’ served as shelters for the winegrowers. In the 20th century, these steep slopes were gradually abandoned. This walk allows you to explore the ledges, scree slopes and beautiful panoramic views over the Doubs valley, bearing witness to a landscape shaped by human hands.

A walk through woods and countryside to discover the little valley tucked away between the two hills of Moulin Caillet and, climbing the beautifully named Chemin de l’Essart du Loup, the Monument de Vorges, in memory of the poor, long-forgotten soldiers of 1870. Return to Busy with lovely views of the keep at Montferrand and the Besançon hills.

Here is a walk to enjoy a stretch of the Doubs Valley. This route will allow walkers to enjoy the Gevrey Forest, follow the paths, reach the banks of the Doubs, make the most of the cycle route to take in the typical landscapes of the Doubs Valley – including the ruins of Montferrand Castle – and head back up towards Busy via Le Moulinot. Hike organised by Grand Besançon Métropole.

A lovely walk or mountain bike ride. A gentle, steady gradient over 7.5 km with an elevation gain of around 220 m. Lovely view from the pass (1870 monument).

A forest and countryside walk, accompanied by the Montferrand keep and the Bisontin mountains, down the beautifully named Chemin de l'Essart du Loup, an old cart track, to discover the Monument de Vorges in memory of the long-forgotten poor biffins of 70, a gypsum factory and the small valley of Moulin Caillet lost between two mountains.

Explore the southern part of Saint-Vit, the Bois d’Ambre and its remarkable trees, the Rhône-Rhine Canal, the sand pits, the agricultural plain and the sports complex.

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.

An easy route through the countryside. Peaceful, wide open, gently rolling landscapes. Woods and fields. Two beautiful fountains and a fortified castle, one of the last in Franche-Comté to still have a standing keep.

Via the Rosemont ledges, offering views over the Besançon hills topped by the massive, distant silhouette of Mont Poupet, you will climb up to the winegrowers’ huts of the Combe de l’Œillet, these dry-stone constructions built without mortar where winegrowers stored their tools and sought shelter from storms. You will descend back into the valley via these scree slopes, formed by the natural weathering of the cliffs and the piles of stones left by our ancestors who cultivated the terraced hills of the Besançon region. Then, one final effort to climb the Roche d’Or and return via the Chemin de l’Œillet and its houses nestled in the greenery of our city, which knows how to embrace its rural side.

Twelve short kilometres to the end of the world: a great destination that won't tire you out. You will discover the old village of Beure, a waterfall, an old wash house, a charming little church and its cemetery, and several viewpoints over the Doubs valley. Perhaps you will also have time to spare a thought for the young men who died under Nazi bullets, whose memory is perpetuated by the memorial at Rocher de Valmy.

"To the south, there was no need for walls of wood or stone: the seigneurial tower spread its mismatched wings at the top of a steep cliff at the foot of which flows the Loue. The tranquil river continues to lap at the rocky escarpment, drawing the same green loops on the earth as it has done since time immemorial," writes Carole Martinez in her book Du domaine des murmures. Come and listen to the murmur of the Loue in the shadow of the ancient castle.

You will walk peacefully along the river towards Chenecey, with its old church and picturesque 18th-century turreted house, then climb up to the hidden ruins of the 9th-century feudal castle of Charencey, which dominates the village and the Loue valley. Finally, you will end your walk at the Grand Méandre viewpoint overlooking the valley and the castle keep, where you may even spot some chamois.

This forest walk is ideal for an autumn morning, when you can surprise a few peaceful chamois in secret clearings and discover the superb Grand Méandre viewpoint over the Loue valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Chenecey, emerging from the forest. Return via the Chalet d'Arguel and pastures that will sharpen your sense of direction.

A forest walk, ideal for an autumn morning, where you might spot a few peaceful chamois in the depths of secret glades and discover, emerging from the forest setting, the superb Grand Méandre viewpoint over the Loue valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Chenecey.

A short, easy walk to explore the villages of Pugey and Arguel via the ridges.

This short walk allows you to discover the most beautiful natural sites in Beure. Starting from the Côte Blanche, the route follows ancient paths with ruts carved into the rock, runs along the cliffs and offers superb panoramic views over the Doubs valley. It leads to the Baume Martin, the Bout du Monde waterfall, and then into the heart of the old village with its wash house and Saint-Hippolyte church. A varied, unspoilt and heritage-rich route.

A short, challenging hike for busy city dwellers who want to explore the wild corners of our mountains around Besançon. However, it is rich in the Baume Martin (from the Gaulish "balma", meaning a rock shelter), the superb cornices of the Bois de Peu overlooking the Doubs valley, the Gorges and waterfalls of the Pisseur and the Cascade du Bout du Monde.

This is a short hike on the outskirts of Besançon, but it offers the Cascade du Bout du Monde waterfall, an ancient Roman road, superb views of the Doubs valley, the Bois de Peu and its wooded valleys with slender trees and wild rocky crevices that cut into the cliffs. Not bad at all!

Overlooking the village of Arguel, the ruins of a feudal fortress stand on a rocky outcrop. This short walk through pastures and beautiful forests offers superb views of the valley and, if you are discreet, you may spot a few deer or chamois.

Overlooking the village of Arguel, ruins stand perched on a rocky outcrop: the remains of the feudal fortress (the foundations of a surrounding wall and the postern gate), built in the early 12th century and, once again, razed by the royal armies in 1668, during the conquest of Franche-Comté. However, this route, which strikes a balance between pastureland and beautiful woodland, offers superb views of the valley, where, if you know how to keep quiet, you may spot a few chamois.

Overlooking the village of Arguel, perched on their rocky outcrop, stand the ruins of the feudal castle, built in the early 12th century and, once again, razed to the ground by the royal armies in 1668 during the conquest of Franche-Comté. This route, winding through pastures and beautiful forests, offers superb views of the valley, Mont Poupet, the ruins of Pugey Fort, Malpertuis Cave and, if you manage to keep quiet, you may spot a few deer or chamois.

Overlooking the village of Arguel, perched on their rocky outcrop, stand the ruins of the feudal castle, built in the early12th century, once again razed to the ground by the royal armies in 1668 during the conquest of Franche-Comté. This forest trail, with its charmingly steep paths, will take you past old wash houses, the Pisseur waterfall, a beautiful statue of Saint Vernier and lovely clearings overlooking the valley, where you might just spot a few chamois.

Set off to explore the viewpoints overlooking the Doubs valley. The route follows paths that are at times steep, leading to the ruins of the old Arguel Castle, several spectacular promontories and the Chère viewpoint. Amidst cliffs, forests, pastures and traces of the past, the route offers a wonderful variety of landscapes. Sections along the cliff edge require caution, but the 180° panoramic views more than make up for the effort of the climb.

From the village of Arguel, dominated by a jagged rocky outcrop, you will descend into the valley, following the small gorges of La Pisseur, its three waterfalls and its miniature ravine. You will pass beneath the Bout du Monde waterfall and along an ancient Roman road and a ledge path to discover a superb viewpoint over the Doubs valley. You will climb up the sunny Mercureaux valley towards Saint-Pierre, not to Paradise, but towards Fort Rolland and the ruins of the feudal castle.

On 26 September 1943, between 7.36am and 8.24am, 16 members of the Guy Mocquet and Marius Vallet resistance groups were shot at the citadel. Later, the German officer in charge of the operation reported the end of the shootings in these terms: " None of them agreed to be blindfolded. They all died bravely, shouting 'Long live France!'" Hike in tribute to the memorial stone located at one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Besançon area.

A Roman and medieval path leads from the Bout du Monde to the heights of the Doubs and Mercureaux valleys, allowing you to pass discreetly under the ruins of the castle, stronghold of the infamous Sir Jacques d'Arguel, the racketeer, and quickly placing you under the protection of our polychrome saints of Franche-Comté.

A lovely short but varied loop. After the Cascade du Bout du Monde waterfall and a detour to the old wash house, the trail climbs steeply through rocky, green surroundings to the Cascade de la Pisseur waterfall. You can still see traces of the old iron-wheeled carts here, before enjoying superb views of the mountains and the Doubs valley.

A short, easy and very pleasant walk in the Ognon valley where, depending on the season, you will see swans, ducks, moorhens, herons and many other birds at the water's edge and animals at the edge of the forest. Apart from passing through the villages, the paths cross peaceful countryside, a true haven of peace.

Starting from Émagny, take a short walk along the old railway line with views of Montcley Castle, then return via the paths that run alongside the farmland.

A short, easy hike that will take you to Cordiron Castle with a beautiful view of Marnay and the Ognon Valley.

Starting from the Maison de la Nature, located on the banks of the Ognon in a former mill, this walk leads to the woods of Brussey, then offers beautiful panoramic views of the Château de Ruffey and the Ognon.

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.

An easy family walk through a communal woodland adjoining the great Chaux Forest. Narrow paths, wide avenues and dirt tracks make up this route. In some places, you’ll need a bit of a sense of direction, as the paths are barely visible. You’ll also get a good insight into the different stages of forest management.

A family hike around Chenecey, punctuated with information panels about the natural environment and clues left behind by the Vouivre. In the exceptional landscape of the Loue Valley, set off on an exploration to discover a diverse and preserved natural heritage. It can all be explained by a karst landscape shaped over time, so ancient that it is home to a strange mythological creature. For younger visitors, the trail comes with an explorer's notebook full of puzzles. This booklet is available for free in the booklet box at the start of the trail by the church and from local shops (the Loue bakery, Chez Gervais restaurant, the post office and the town hall). You will need a pencil.

A ruined feudal castle dating from the 9th century overlooking the village and the Loue valley, the ruins of Charencey Castle are listed as a Historic Monument. From the church, located on the banks of the Loue, you will climb up to these secret ruins, continuing through a beautiful forest, perhaps imagining that you will come across a team of oxen pulling a cart up to the castle. Finally, you will return through the sunny pastures overlooking the valley.

From Chenecey church, you will climb up to the solitary ruins of Charencey Castle overlooking the Grand Méandre de la Loue. From valleys to hills, you will continue through a vast, bright forest and meadows lost deep in the woods, reaching the riverbank to return to the village.

"The seigneurial tower spreads its mismatched wings at the top of a steep cliff at the foot of which flows the Loue. The tranquil river continues to lap at the rocky escarpment, striving to draw the same circular patterns on the earth as it always has," writes Carole Martinez. A walk rich in discoveries: old-fashioned farms, a fountain entwined with mossy walls, an old forge and, the highlight, the Grand Méandre de la Loue and its thousand-year-old sentinel, the keep of Charencey.

Hike starting from Marnay on the Voie Verte (old railway line) towards Brussey (eco-museum) and returning to Marnay via Combe Gaudin.

Remains of Gallo-Roman buildings have been found in Marnay. However, the commune was not mentioned until 1210. A gate and some remains of the old surrounding walls are still visible. A few elements of the feudal castle also remain, including the drawbridge and two turrets. The old town also has many houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The current town hall dates from the Renaissance.The castle overlooking the Ognon valley was rebuilt in the 16th century but has been extensively remodelled since then.Finally, the Gothic church dates from the 14th and 17th centuries. The 20-hectare lake is home to many animal and plant species.

They will guide you through times gone by that are nevertheless at the origin of the unique landscape of Chenecey and Buillon. The activities of yesteryear explain today's landscapes: a strong identity and a rich and diverse memory that has been built up over time and passed down from generation to generation.Through a digital app, just like those who came before you, you are invited by the monks of the former Cistercian abbey and the famous painter James Tissot to leave the hustle and bustle of the village behind and enter places that invite you to relax and contemplate. Ten stations will allow you to discover places that are inaccessible to the public, as they were in their heyday. Human relationships, self-awareness, art and connections with nature have evolved over time and in line with the challenges of each era. Through this retrospective journey, this walk invites you to reflect on the future of these places.

A lovely little walk around Villars-Saint-Georges that will take you through meadows and woods, across a pretty valley, to the banks of the Doubs before heading back up into the large forest. A family walk where you might (with a bit of luck) spot deer, foxes and a variety of birds.

From Châtillon church, you will climb to a wild viewpoint on the rocks of the Dame Blanche, encountering the ruins of an old caborde (stone shelter) along the way. Then, along a beautiful line of cornices overlooking the Ognon valley, you will reach the Fort de la Dame Blanche viewpoint over the Vosges mountains, following in the footsteps of the disturbing woman who haunts these places after dark. From the old fortifications, you will descend towards Châtillon along peaceful forest paths.

An easy walk in the countryside. Mainly on roads or pavements.

From the secluded Fontaine aux Soldats, you’ll climb towards a wild viewpoint overlooking the rocks of the Dame Blanche, passing the ruins of an old mountain hut along the way, following in the footsteps of that eerie woman who haunts these places after dark. You’ll then descend towards a powder magazine and the Fort de Châtillon via peaceful forest paths.