Between Missery and Mont-Saint-Jean

A beautiful walk, without any particular difficulty, which takes you through the pretty villages of Missery and Mont-Saint-Jean, and up to the plateau where there is an archaeological site. The undergrowth is pleasant, with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, and the views of the Auxois and Morvan regions are superb. Most of the paths are well shaded and well maintained. This route, which is very well marked in yellow, is also described in the information sheets available from the Précy-sous-Thil Tourist Office.

Details

3699717
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 268 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 262 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 621 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 414 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Morvan
  • ⚐ District: Missery (21210)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.307631° / E 4.372272°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2922SB, 2923SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking available at Place du Monument, near the book hut.

(S/E) Cross Route de Fontangy and take Rue de la Montagne opposite, along the river.

(1) At the village exit, take the path that climbs to the right and continue until you reach a wide grassy path that branches off to the right, alongside a meadow. Follow this path along the edge of the forest and old limestone quarries and buildings to reach the hamlet of Mairey with a spring and a wash house on the left.

(2) Cross the hamlet, cut across Rue Saute Chien and take the sloping path opposite.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left onto a well-marked path that will take you to Mont-Saint-Jean, passing the entrance to the village in front of the Gincey manor house, a market garden on the right and a beautiful pond on the left. Climb up through the village until you reach the D117, which is called Rue des Bergeries here. 

(4) Turn left and continue for about 200 metres. Pass a grassy area with picnic tables on your right and turn left onto Chemin de Gay for about 100 metres. 

(5) Then turn right onto the Voie romaine and follow this beautiful road until you reach a crossroads, near two relay antennas on your right. 

(6) Ignore the roads and take the path on the left that leads to the archaeological site (an old farm), bordered on the right by a pine forest and on the left by fields. Make a short detour to the right to visit it, then resume the route on the right, first along the edge of the woods, then entering them. You will come to a crossroads with a hiking signpost. 

(7) Turn left towards Missery, following the path which further on becomes a tarmac road. Go straight ahead at the first crossroads and turn right at the second (elevation 518). Stay on this road until the next crossroads.

(8) Take the white path opposite, bordered by a meadow on the right and the Bois des Bans on the left. Follow this path and, at the end, go down the slope on the right for a few metres and then turn left onto a wide grassy path that goes around a large meadow. This path then passes through a small wood at Sous les Bans and descends, at the end, to join the Saizerey road and the crossroads with the D36.

(9) Take it on the left. Enter Missery with the castle grounds on your right and continue to Place du Monument, where you will find the car park (S/E).  

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 414 m - Place du Monument, car park. Near - Château de Missery
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 437 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.65 - alt. 522 m - Spring and wash house in the hamlet of Mairey.
  4. 3 : km 2.06 - alt. 506 m - Crossroads, on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.18 - alt. 518 m - D117, on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.49 - alt. 551 m - Roman road
  7. 6 : km 5.47 - alt. 619 m - Road junction
  8. 7 : km 7.6 - alt. 592 m - Crossroads, hiking signpost
  9. 8 : km 9.4 - alt. 524 m - Crossroads, dirt road opposite
  10. 9 : km 11.33 - alt. 425 m - D36
  11. S/E : km 11.69 - alt. 420 m - Place du Monument, car park

Notes

Bar-restaurant in Mont-Saint-Jean.
Picnic area in Missery (small square near Place du Monument) and Mont-Saint-Jean.
No drinking water available.

Worth a visit

Tree house on the outskirts of Mairey.

A stroll through Mont-Saint-Jean, a village steeped in history, with its castle, etc., is a must.

Small archaeological site (old farm) near the relay antennas.

Glass craftsman on the way back at the entrance to Missery.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
albert raisner
albert raisner

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No hunting this Sunday, 7 February 2026

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User 14282856

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Overall, a lovely and enjoyable hike.
The only concern was a few fallen trees blocking the bird trail, which some older hikers found difficult to cross.

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User 14282856

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Two-thirds of the route is very pleasant (up to Mt St Jean and beyond for 3 km). After that, the markings become less obvious and the route (tarmac road) less interesting.

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GuyLeroy
GuyLeroy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's a beautiful route with stunning views. No difficulty, hiking on paths and trails, with few roads. For the region, the elevation gain is interesting. I recommend this walk. We didn't meet a single person during the walk.

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ThomP21
ThomP21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike through the beautiful landscapes of the Auxois region and its authentic villages.

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NanaDidi
NanaDidi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk.
We set off in the drizzle and arrived in sunshine.
The landscapes are varied and the villages are more than charming. Thank you.
One small suggestion, however: the description should include a visit to Mont Saint Jean, which is partly obscured by the route of this trail.

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