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.

This circular route allows you to discover the village of Labergement-Lès-Auxonne, its 12th-century Saint-Étienne Church with its 17th-century altarpiece and altar, the banks of the Saône with the Voie Bleue and market gardens.

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.

A short, easy half-day walk through woodland and along a tarmac road (very little traffic).

Circular route starting from Pointre, to see castles, an archaeological site, woods, water... passing through Frasne-les-Meulières and the two Montmireys.A very varied route, combining the discovery of nature and interesting historical sites to visit, with a charming section through wooded hills, returning via winding paths through the forest.

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.

This hike is inspired by one suggested by the local tourist office. We wanted to avoid roads, so this is a pleasant hike through the Saône plain along farm tracks.

A pleasant, easy walk exploring the two villages of Athée and Poncey-lès-Athée, which also takes in the drinking water treatment plant and its catchments for the Dijon metropolitan area, the Poncey dam, the church and the Athée retirement home.

This circular loop takes you through two villages in the Côte d'Or: Soirans, with its semi-circular wash house and its12th-century church, and Tréclun, with its highly original town hall, including its decorative features, as well as an unusual bus shelter.

Hike through the Bois des Ratières and Bois des Cognés woods where, depending on the season, you will discover these woods and their colours. Pass through Poncey-lés-Athée (unusual chapel) and walk along the banks of the Saône (dam). Return through the meadows.

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!

Hikers taking their time as they pass through the small village of Ougney will find their gaze drawn for a few seconds to an old, massive, cylindrical tower. During this hike, we will walk from Ougney to Saligney, then head towards Gendrey and Taxenne before returning to Ougney. The rolling, green countryside will give you a glimpse of part of the northern Jura (39).

From the vast Longchamp forest to the banks of the Saône, this walk offers an unexpected variety of landscapes on the edge of the Val de Saône: rich flora and fauna, charming villages with their churches, wash houses and the château in Athé. There is also the dam on the Saône and the Plate in Poncey-lès-Athée, the ponds in Magny-Montarlot and the magnificent villages with a rich history. Let's go!

Pesmes is a French commune located in the Haute-Saône department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.The commune holds the ‘Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté’ and ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ labels.

Pesmes, one of the most beautiful villages in the Franche-Comté region, reveals its secrets. A watchful sentinel on the banks of the Ognon, Pesmes enjoyed an important strategic position, as evidenced by the imposing mass of the castle and the surrounding wall.

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.

The origins of Lamarche are unknown. Nevertheless, the discovery in 1887 of polished stone axes and flint knives by Viscount Raoul Legouz de Saint-Seine suggests that the area was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period, although it seems that these tools, found at the confluence of the Bèze and the Saône, were carried here by the floods of these rivers. This peaceful stroll through the national forest is a truly relaxing experience.

After completing the circuit of the Étang du Milieu, this walk takes you up to the heights of Lamarche-sur-Saône, skirting the Pays Neuf. We’ll take the Voie Verte before walking through the woods known as the Grandes Charrières, then through the Leat aux Renards. We’ll return to the starting point by crossing the Pays Neuf.

Hike in the Pesmes forges and along the Ognon river.

A short walk through woods and pastures around the village of Sornay.