Esmoulières circuit

An easy route that runs alongside numerous ponds. Very pleasant in the October sunshine, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful colours of our forests as they turn golden and purple.

Please note, however, that there is a short section on the road (with little traffic).

Details

1557088
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 139 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 130 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 656 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 540 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Esmoulière car park, near the town hall.

(S/E) From the car park, head away from the picnic area. Follow the main road and pass the town hall.

(1) At the fork with a picnic table, leave the road and take the path on the right, following the signs for "Circuit de Randonnée". Once on the circuit, follow the signs for "Petite Maison".

(2) When you reach a large tree, turn left onto the path that descends, following the signs.

(3) At L'Agiot (signpost), cross the small bridge and turn left onto the path that climbs towards the woods.

(4) In the small village of Brumbief, cross the road and turn right. At the fork, take the path on the right into the woods. It climbs a little, then descends (very pleasant wooded section).

(5) Cross the wooden bridge and turn left onto the road that climbs slightly.

(6) When you reach a road, follow it to the right uphill. At the crossroads, turn left towards the lodge (signposted). Take thefirst road on the left and you will arrive at Pré Temelou.

(7) Follow the road to the left. Ignore the small road on the right that leads to Les Saulieux. About 150 metres further on, take the path on the right. Further on, the signposted route takes you through a meadow until you reach a road.

(8) Follow the road to the right and pass through Les Gourmands. Ignore the turnings on the right and continue to Les Peutes Gouttes. The road gradually becomes a track and descends to the pond. Stay on this main track and, as you descend, you will find a "hidden" lake on the left. The track climbs a little after this.

(9) At the fork with a pond on your left, turn right. Continue along the path until you pass the farm. Then turn right onto the road that descends.

(1) Turn right to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 582 m - Esmoulière car park
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 588 m - Fourche
  3. 2 : km 0.61 - alt. 594 m - Large tree
  4. 3 : km 1.66 - alt. 540 m - l'Agiot
  5. 4 : km 2.51 - alt. 575 m - Brumbief
  6. 5 : km 3.48 - alt. 612 m - Small wooden bridge
  7. 6 : km 3.91 - alt. 629 m - Arrival on the road
  8. 7 : km 4.82 - alt. 656 m - Pre Temelou
  9. 8 : km 6.04 - alt. 616 m - Return to the road
  10. 9 : km 7.59 - alt. 583 m - Fourche
  11. S/E : km 8.52 - alt. 582 m - Esmoulière car park

Notes

There is a picnic area at the car park with plenty of tables, some of which are shaded.
There are a few streams, perfect for dogs to drink from.
There are no real difficulties on this route, which is fairly easy going.

Worth a visit

The first part consists of open paths, then paths through the woods. You also cross small streams on pretty wooden footbridges. Everything is well maintained and well signposted; you just need to look out for the walking symbol, which is a small house.

Be careful, though, as a small section of the trail is on the road. I didn't encounter any cars myself.
There are lots of cows and numerous ponds (some of which were dry when I did the walk on 14/10/2018).

You can take the time to watch the birds. Depending on the season, food lovers can enjoy a few wild raspberries, blackberries, apples and even a small bunch of grapes.

A hike information sheet is available on the 1000 ponds website
http://www.les1000etangs.com/index.php?IdPage=1335195256

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 57 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Alain Jeanty
Alain Jeanty
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk through hills and valleys, almost 100% clear (ideal in sunny weather!) with stunning scenery. You'll pass through small hamlets and zigzag between ponds. The route is easy but walking boots are recommended as the paths are dirt and gravel. An invigorating outdoor walk. Ideal for getting an idea of the plateau of a thousand ponds. Picnic areas along the way.

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elvyre
elvyre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route, very pleasant at this time of year.
We mainly followed the signs from the starting point.
There are several picnic tables along the route.

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Schoepfer
Schoepfer

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Easy, well-marked hike.

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User 8640385

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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tiraycourt
tiraycourt

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

VERY NICE, GOOD SIGNAGE.

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S BOEHRER
S BOEHRER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk on the plateau of a thousand ponds

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mesangevourron
mesangevourron

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the 10 km loop, with a slight elevation gain of 250 m spread out over the entire hike, so it was easy... We did it at the end of August, and there were lots of people along the way.
We stopped at Gaby's in Beulotte St Laurent to enjoy a real country meal... a magnificent region that is definitely worth discovering. We have already planned to return next spring.

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BIBI MOBIGO
BIBI MOBIGO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This tour was done with a friend from Besançon who didn't know the thousand ponds... he was amazed and very happy with the diversity of this very nice little route.

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plidenantes
plidenantes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking is still as enjoyable as ever

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marine.m30
marine.m30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Great hike with beautiful scenery. However, be careful, as the various bridges along the route are no longer in good condition. For some, we had to wade through the water (and with the rain we'd had over the previous few days, it would have been much easier to use the bridges). The various picnic areas along the route are very welcome.

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jumachris
jumachris

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike... no difficulty at all... lovely trails... at the first pond, we were treated to a frog concert.

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vican88
vican88

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike, well marked and well described...

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BASSIER Laurent
BASSIER Laurent

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike, beautiful ponds and landscapes.

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Titine@90
Titine@90

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lots of small ponds, very peaceful
A complete change of scenery, I highly recommend it

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David kieffer
David kieffer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant trip with the family and two children.
I would definitely recommend it for a Sunday out with the family.

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