Échay walks

A peaceful walk in the Lison valley with its sandstone cliffs and three viewpoints. You will discover two typical Comtois villages, Echay and Cussey sur Lison, and its remote hamlet.

Natural site with four viewpoints over the Jura Mountains and the Cussey valley, a corniche and dry grasslands. Places of interest: the Cussey fountain and wash house, Echay, a typical village in the Lison valley.

From a small village typical of the Lison valley, whose slate-roofed houses have retained their old-fashioned charm, you will discover the small reculée (valley) of Cussey-sur-Lison from two belvederes nestled on the heights of its limestone cliffs, before returning via the bottom of the reculée, accompanied by the cascades of its tuff stream: the Goulue.

A fairly varied route (geological curiosity, spring, stream and river with numerous small waterfalls), well shaded and wooded enough to encounter various species of trees.

In Lizine, with its slate-roofed houses, you’ll discover the splendour of its church, the Oratory of the God of Mercy, and the rural heritage of this typical little village, resting for a few moments by the cool Vuillevoz fountain before setting off again through beautiful fir forests, where the sun casts a play of light and shadow, towards the Croix du Châtelet and its fine viewpoint over the Loue Gorges, the neighbouring mountains and the fortified house of Châtillon.

At the confluence of the Loue and Lison rivers, this walk offers a series of views from the Lizine plateau.

On 10 November 1855, during a meeting of the Société d'Émulation du Doubs, Alphonse Delacroix exclaimed: "There is a place which, until the 19th century, retained its name of Alésia and still reigns amid the remains of the largest battlefield known to man. It is there, in Alaise, that we place the memorable siege that ended the struggle of Vercingetorix." Far from this scholarly debate, discover these ruins and, above all, the magnificent view of the Lison Gorges.

Another circular walk around Lizine taking you to beautiful viewpoints and past the limestone pavement.

From the heart of the valley, you will climb in the shadow of the Château de Châtillon towards the Lizine plateau and its slate roofs, from where you will discover the Loue and Lison valleys from superb balconies, the riches of the church in this typical little village, the Oratory of the God of Mercy, and you can rest for a few moments at the cool fountain in Villevoz before setting off again towards splendid viewpoints over the two rivers.

Don't worry, you won't see a single snake. However, throughout this walk between Loue and Lison, you will discover no fewer than three viewpoints, particularly the Gouille Noire, which overlooks the wild charm of the valley. From the Croix du Châtelet, you will discover the small village of Lizine and its rich church. After resting at the cool fountain in Villevoz, you can set off again towards the splendid sharp limestone pavement formations that resemble menhirs.

From the beautiful church in Paroy, passing in front of the wealthy residences of this small village, then crossing sunny meadows, you will climb to the viewpoint overlooking the lower Loue valley. Along a pretty sunken path, you will descend towards Ronchaux, another picturesque little village with its old farms, waterfall and former tuff quarry.

This woodland walk offers three viewpoints over the lower Loue valley, the Jura mountains and Bartherans, nestled in wooded valleys overlooking the Lison valley.

This forest trail will take you to some unusual sites: the Prêtres réfractaires, a small secret wooded area where priests who rebelled against the revolution hid and celebrated mass; and the Chandeliers, large rock columns several metres high, formed by water and frost erosion. You will discover a viewpoint over the lost gorges of the Lison, which you will then follow along a beautiful, cool path, returning via the wild valley of the Vau stream.

In the Gallic language, ‘Rurey’ refers to a place rich in springs and streams. You will therefore set off from the beautiful circular fountain in the centre of the village, passing, at the foot of the church, in front of the elegant early 20th-century wash house built of cut stone and covered by a curious double hipped roof. You will then climb the botanical trail to a superb viewpoint over the Loue valley, overlooked by the watchful sentinel of the thousand-year-old keep of Castel Saint-Denis.

A short forest walk through the Val de Cademène with beautiful, unobstructed views over the Loue Valley and the Jura Mountains, taking in our Comtois villages and their bell towers nestled in the hollows of the hills. Most of the route is unmarked, so this walk will help sharpen your sense of direction.

In Gaulish, ‘Rurey’ refers to a place rich in springs and streams. From its beautiful circular fountain in the centre of the village, passing by the foot of the church and in front of the elegant wash house, you will climb the botanical trail and descend into the Val de Cademène with its beautiful unobstructed views over the Loue Valley and the Jura Mountains. After passing through a somewhat wild stretch of woodland, you’ll reach the viewpoint overlooking the valley, dominated by the watchful sentinel of the thousand-year-old keep of Castel Saint-Denis.

Route through the forest and wide paths, connecting the two parts of the commune of Cessey via the Mont de Cessey ridge and the Loue river.

From Éternoz, overlooking the Cirque de Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, you will head to the beautifully named Belvédère des Feuilles on the meanders and cliffs of the wild Lison valley, notably on the "éperon des aiguilles" (spur of the needles), offering a view of a colourful forest. Then you will descend towards Nans and its old houses and climb boldly to the superb Verneau waterfall before returning along the Lison, through the small, lost and wild valley of the Vau stream.

If you only have 1 to 1½ hours to let off steam, here is an idea for a short walk in Quingey/Cessey.

Amondans, home of our regional musician Napoléon Coste, overlooks the Malans stream, which flows into the Gouille Noire, whose wild charm you will be able to admire from above. Passing by oratories and fountains, you will return to Lizine with its ancient houses covered with lauzes, the formidable stone tiles that required our carpenters of yesteryear to build solid frames. Two other viewpoints will allow you to discover the Lison and Loue valleys with their gorges and meanders.

From the curious and pretty fountain in Amondans, quiet paths will take you to a viewpoint overlooking the green Loue valley and the remote Malans stream, where you can admire the wild charm of the landscape. Then, from the Bois des Serpents, winding your way between a splendid sharp limestone pavement resembling menhirs, you will follow the emerald green Loue to the deepest part of the valley, where a waterfall ends its descent into a pool: the Gouille Noire.

Discover the charm of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne and its old houses, nestled in the natural setting of the remote valley, its Taillanderie. Then there is the Lison, mystical and wild at the foot of a vertiginous rocky cirque, after a tortuous underground journey, gushing forth in the blue-green plume of its never-ending waterfall, the wild cathedral of the Sarrazine cave, the Creux Billard and finally the belvedere of the Vieux Château.

Starting from Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, pass by the Old Castle, Sainte-Anne, the Devil's Bridge and the Montmahoux viewpoint

Hike exclusively in the forest, on paths and trails with some beautiful ascents and descents. Views of the Doubs and Loue valleys.

From Chapelle-sur-Furieuse, through forests, vineyards and meadows, you will reach the ruins of Vaulgrenant Castle and then return to your starting point along the Furieuse river via a long descent. You will pass through the small village of Onay, then the suburbs of Salins-les-Bains, via the Voie Verte, before reaching Marnoz and heading towards Château de Vaulgrenant. Enjoy beautiful views of Le Poupet and the forts of Salins-les-Bains.

To warm up, the Belvédère de Montmahoux, at an altitude of 828 metres, offers an exceptional view of the Jura Mountains, with the silhouette of Mont Blanc standing out on the horizon. Then, descending through beautiful beech forests towards Nans and its old houses, you will enjoy beautiful views of the wild cathedral of the Grotte Sarrazine. And, after a detour to the Verneau waterfall, return via the Belvédère des Feuilles viewpoint to the meanders and cliffs of the Lison Valley.

On its rocky spur overlooking the Doubs valley, Abbans Castle was probably built on the site of a Roman castrum. The oldest parts date from the 12th century. It was at the top of the keep that Claude Dorothée de Jouffroy d'Abbans set up his study and forge, where he built his steamboat. Enjoy a short country walk in this historic setting along a pleasant ridge path, then through the Grande Fin valley, discovering the castle from different angles.

Perched on its rocky outcrop, overlooking the Doubs valley, Abbans Castle likely replaced a Roman castrum. The oldest parts date from the 12th century. It was at the top of the keep that Claude Dorothée de Jouffroy d’Abbans set up his study and forge, where he built his steamboat. A short stroll through the countryside in this place steeped in history, taking in the cool Sentier du Ruisseau, the peaceful Grande Fin valley and the monument commemorating the long-forgotten rag-and-bone men of the 1870s.

You will take the old Tacot railway line, a small, narrow-gauge railway that climbed up to Pontarlier, to discover the Val de Cléron and its castle, surrounded by the white cliffs at the start of the Haute Vallée de la Loue.

From Cléron Castle, through a beautiful, cool forest alternating between fir and deciduous trees, ideal for a hot summer's day, you will visit the gentle monk Toum Tatre, a monolith resembling a tonsured Capuchin monk, watching piously over the Norvaux valley from the top of his cliff. Walking along the ledges of the twin valley of Valbois, you will return via Castel Saint-Denis, overlooking the valley from its rocky spur.

You will walk along a beautiful ridge line to discover, from several viewpoints, Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne nestled in the natural setting of the reculée, topped by Mont Mahoux, the rocks of the Vieux-Château at the foot of which the Lison river rises. Return via the charming leat of Vaux and the16th-century statue of Saint Christopher.

From Épeugney, you will climb along forest paths towards the Belvédère de Rurey at the head of the upper Loue valley with its white cliffs, and the keep of Castel Saint-Denis, the thousand-year-old sentinel of the Reculée de Valbois. You’ll descend into the Val de Cademène with its unobstructed views of the valley. And, after a stretch through somewhat wild woodland, the ‘obstacle course’ awaits you: the climb to the Croix des Échaulles. Then a peaceful return to the village and its beautiful fountains.

A lovely walk starting from Geraise that will take you through the Vaux valley, from the ridges on the way out and along the valley floor on the way back. The viewpoints along the route offer beautiful views of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne and the head of the Lison valley.

From Cléron, through a beautiful, cool forest alternating between fir and deciduous trees, ideal for a hot summer's day, you will visit the gentle monk Toum Tatre, a monolith resembling a tonsured Capuchin monk, watching piously over the Norvaux valley from the top of his cliff. You will return through the Plain Mont forest to two unsecured viewpoints, one overlooking Castel Saint-Denis and the other overlooking Cléron and its castle.

Six petits kilomètres pour quatre points de vue sur le Val de Cléron, la reculée de Norvaux et le capucin de pierre Tountâtrou où nos anciens Comtois célébraient leurs dieux au sein même de la nature, au pied de ce colosse de pierre.

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.

"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.

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.

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 Crouzet, you will climb up to the remains of one of the largest strongholds of the Chalon family, which are actually quite sparse. Blame Louis XIV, who destroyed a large part of our heritage in revenge! However, your efforts will be rewarded by the splendid view of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, nestled in the natural setting of its remote valley, by the pretty Saint-Thiébaud church and by the bold and supernatural bridge spanning the Diable waterfall.

A lovely loop along beautiful paths, discovering the Pont du Diable, the Creux Billard, the Grotte Sarrazine, the Source and the Cascade du Lison. At the start of this beautiful walk, you'll cross the protected natural area of the marl pits and the Bois de Château-Renaud stream. Then head for Crouzet-Migette to reach the Source du Lison site, with a steep descent into the Combe Fagot. Before arriving at the site, you'll passthe Gros Chêne, presumed to be 300 years old, with a circumference of 5.5 m, an imposing sight. On arrival at the site: a return trip to the Creux Billard (unfortunately the Source path is off-limits), then a break at the Cascade du Lison, and a return trip to the Grotte Sarrazine (headlamp required). Then back along the Lison, a nice rest before a steep climb to Crouzet-Migette.

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.

Dominating Cléron with its massive limestone cliffs, the Rocher de Colonne is a beautiful landscape, characteristic of the upper Loue valley. From its summit, you can see the Château de Cléron, the Castel Saint-Denis, the Ravin de Valbois valley and the start of the upper Loue valley lined with its corniches.

A short forest walk to discover the Rocher de Colonne, a superb viewpoint over the Loue valley. The first viewpoint is over Cléron and its castle. The second overlooks Scey-en-Varais, topped by Castel Saint-Denis, the start of the upper Loue valley and its cliffs, the Valbois ravine and the luminous Hautepierre rock. You will return via the Chapelle du Croc chapel and its old house lost in the woods.

Fourth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. Right from the start of this stage, things get serious with a demanding route punctuated by steep ascents and descents in the limestone massif of Revermont. Then, through undergrowth, pastures and picturesque viewpoints, the second part of the route reveals itself to be full of charm and tranquillity, offering a perfect transition before reaching Montigny-les-Arsures, a superb wine-growing village where the vineyards come into view. A few more kilometres will take you to Arbois, the capital of Jura wines. Louis Pasteur had his family home here, which is still open to visitors. This colourful town is full of Jura wine tasting cellars and great places to eat for food lovers.

Climb to the highest point of the extreme Jura at 851 m, with 360° views of the plains and mountains of the Jura and, on a clear day, even Mont Blanc. Set off from Salins-les-Bains on the banks of the Furieuse, long known for its salt mining. A scenic and slightly challenging hike without any major difficulties.

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.

Two completely different sections: - the climb to the castle ruins, with a superb view and an orientation table. A short but relatively steep climb. - the very flat section, through a forest notable for its multitude of sharp limestone pavements and deep sinkholes, which will be enjoyed in all seasons. A GPS is recommended to follow the route through the forest, but the 2022 update is more detailed. A short stretch of road, with virtually no traffic.

A varied hike with flat sections, a passage through woods, and two climbs up the Montrond hill. At the top, you can enjoy the vast panorama. At the bottom, you will discover two wells that have been cleared quite recently. Given the size of the cavities visible from the platforms, they can be considered chasms, with a vast underground network that you can learn about on the explanatory panels. You will take part of the Sentier du Triton trail, which will offer you a few riddles. In short, a hike for young and old alike.