Dole walks

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

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.

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 easy route through the countryside and forest, passing through villages in Franche-Comté.

Discover the commune of Amange on a route with several information panels describing the buildings and places you pass.

Second stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. The first 12 kilometres of this route are sheltered by the Chaux forest. Pay close attention to the signposts so you don't get lost! As you leave the edge of the woods, you will discover an architectural gem: the village of Arc-et-Senans, home to the Royal Saltworks, which will take you on a journey through the history of salt in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

This circular will allow you to see the incredible Grotte de l'Ermitage, the Boyon Cross and other cross-shaped crosses, as well as Moissey's heritage, its castle, fountain and church. You will also have a long walk through the Bois de La Serre. In this wood, part of the path is not maintained and you will probably, like me, have to go around a few trees that have fallen during storms.

During this hike, we will pass through Montmirey-le-Château, then walk through the grounds of Montmirey-la-Ville Castle before climbing Mont Guerin, which offers a magnificent view from the oratory. We will then descend to Frasne-la-Meulières, with its church, cross-shaped crosses and wash house. Once again, we will pass through Montmirey-la-Ville with its wash house, chapel, church and the ruins of its medieval castle.

Four-kilometre trail with educational panels on seven themes related to natural and man-made environments and their associated biodiversity. Near the Mératon Sensitive Natural Area, you can enjoy views of oxbow lakes and reed beds and perhaps spot some wildlife!

Pesmes is a French commune located in the Haute-Saône department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. The commune has been awarded the labels "Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté" (Town of Character of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté) and "L'un des plus beaux villages de France" (One of the most beautiful villages in France).

Perched in the heart of the Ognon Valley, Pesmes is a real gem of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and is listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Take the "du martin-pêcheur aux remparts" loop trail and let yourself be charmed by the harmony between the remarkable architectural heritage and the natural setting. Narrow streets wind their way between elegant Renaissance houses and imposing medieval fortifications. Following the Ognon river, the trail will take you to the Forges site, a former industrial complex. Here you will discover the combination of water, wood, ore and human labour.

Hike in the Pesmes forges and along the Ognon river.

Third stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. From the Royal Saltworks in Arc-et-Senans to the Grande Saline in Salins-les-Bains, you will discover a unique sporting and cultural trail between the Doubs and Jura mountains, following in the footsteps of the great salt trade, with a stop in the village of Port-Lesney.

Randonnée au départ de Tart le haut en passant par plaines et bois afin de rejoindre les communes avoisinantes.

This route will take you along the banks of the Saône and to the mouth of the Marne-Saône canal.Take time to look at the lock-keeper's houses and the locks. Maybe you'll see swans, herons and cranes. Beautiful views of cattle farms and meadows.Just before you return to the starting point, you'll pass over the Pont de Garde, close to the two dams on the Saône and the last lock on the route.

This walk in Montigny-lès-Arsures invites you to discover the soul of a wine-growing village in the Revermont region. Between the rows of vines that shape the Jura landscape, the beautiful winegrowers' houses with their vaulted cellars and the picturesque Tour du Zouave Coco, the route reveals a rich and living heritage. All along the way, superb views open up over the Arbois vineyards, providing an ideal setting for a walk combining nature, culture and local history.

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

Welcome to Valay, a pretty village in Haute-Saône, surrounded by countryside and forests.Set off to explore its peaceful setting, typical of rural villages in the region, thanks to the "Entre Forges et Forêts" trail and its three loops:- The Tacot loop to the east of the village will take you close to the fortified castle, then into the forest, following the old railway line for 7 km.- You can extend your walk with the Sainte-Cécile loop, which will take you 6 km to the ruins of an old abbey and the commune of La Résie-Saint-Martin.- Finally, the La Fresse loop will take you to discover the village's iconic sites, while crossing a wooded section on a 4.8 km route.

This is a pleasant walk through the rolling vineyards and the charming wine-growing village of Pupillin. The return route through the forest and the Ermitage viewpoint offers magnificent views of the town of Arbois. A few short climbs add a little spice to the route.

A beautiful loop starting from Arbois. The suggested route is part of the "Échappée Jurassienne" trail. The end of the hike brings you close to the vineyards. There is another, shorter route that passes through the bottom of the Reculée. This is an old hike that does not necessarily follow the markings on the ground. See reviews

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.

Fifth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This stage allows you to discover the remote valleys, particularly that of Planches-Près-Arbois, and to understand the geological phenomenon, with views from the Belvédère de la Roche du Feu. You will then descend to the bottom of the valley to reach the village of Planches-Près-Arbois and its tufa waterfall. Next, you will head towards the wine-growing village of Pupillin, the "World Capital of Ploussard", where you can explore its viewpoint, 19th-century church, Saint-Léger oratory and beautiful fountains.

Sixth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This rugged stage starts in Pupillin and crosses forests and vineyards to Poligny, a former fortified town and religious capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. Poligny, looking to the future thanks to the Comté cheese industry, is home to the Maison du Comté and the headquarters of the Comité Interprofessionnel de Gestion du Comté. After a climb to the Croix du Dan, offering superb views of Poligny and the Culée de Vaux, the hike continues through the pastures and villages of the first plateau, where Montbéliard cows graze, before arriving in Miéry.

A circular route starting from Pupillin that allows you to discover this Jura valley, its viewpoint, its Cascade des Tufs waterfall and the small village of Les Planches-près-Arbois. This route follows the Chemin du Facteur and the Allée de Rome with its Foyard Président.