La Fresse State Forest

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Walk in the Fresse State Forest along forest tracks, footpaths and tarmac roads.

Details

n°21712011
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.44 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,073 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,043 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,894 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,293 ft
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Description of the walk

To reach the start, park at the Maison Forestière de Fontenette in the Forêt Domaniale de la Fresse when approaching from Moutoux via the D251.

(S/E) Take the tarmac road leading down to Moutoux as far as the hunting car park.

(1) Turn left and continue to lines 58 and 60.

(2) Turn right between these lines onto a well-marked path and join the Chemin Forestier de la Racine. Turn left, cross the Chemin Forestier Maillard straight ahead and reach the Route Forestière du Milieu.

(3) Turn right onto this track, heading due south, until you reach the D21

(4) Cross the departmental road carefully, turn right and, 200 metres further on, turn left.

(5) Head due south along the forest track on the left. This track is badly damaged by forestry machinery: there are several tracks left by the machines.

(6) Turn left and rejoin the forest track, which improves as you go and links up with the GRP®.

(7) Then turn left to rejoin the D21.

(8) Cross it carefully and, under the power line, turn right onto theGRP® which runs behind the Maison Forestière de la Platière. You’ll come to a tarmac road.

(9) Turn right onto this road and you’ll reach a car park.

(10) Turn right towards the Belvédère du Signal: views of Les Nans, Nozeroy and the Mont d’Or. Continue along theGRP® behind the bench until you reach a crossroads with several directions.

(11) Turn right, still on theGRP®, onto a forest track that heads due north, then branches off to the right towards a water tower further down.

(12) Leave theGRP®, turn left onto the road towards the village of Les Nans.

(13) Two options:
- either go straight on and follow the Sentier des Quatre Bornes, crossing straight ahead at the next junction;
- or turn right to do a circular loop on a very pleasant path (with a bench to rest on) and then rejoin the Sentier des Quatre Bornes, as shown on the attached map. At the crossroads, turn right and continue for about 300 metres until you reach a three-way junction.

(14) Turn left onto a grassy path leading back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,467 ft - Car park at the Maison Forestière de Fontenette
  2. 1 : mi 0.65 - alt. 2,293 ft - Hunting car park
  3. 2 : mi 0.89 - alt. 2,385 ft - Path on the right between 58/60
  4. 3 : mi 2.02 - alt. 2,641 ft - Maillard Forest Track
  5. 4 : mi 2.88 - alt. 2,461 ft - D21, on the right
  6. 5 : mi 3.01 - alt. 2,438 ft - Forest track to the left
  7. 6 : mi 3.56 - alt. 2,408 ft - Junction
  8. 7 : mi 4.08 - alt. 2,431 ft - GRP
  9. 8 : mi 4.28 - alt. 2,490 ft - D21
  10. 9 : mi 4.73 - alt. 2,671 ft - GRP
  11. 10 : mi 5.43 - alt. 2,867 ft - Car park
  12. 11 : mi 5.76 - alt. 2,808 ft - GRP
  13. 12 : mi 6.85 - alt. 2,359 ft - Water tower
  14. 13 : mi 7.47 - alt. 2,572 ft - Two options
  15. 14 : mi 7.96 - alt. 2,539 ft - Three-way junction. Grass track
  16. S/E : mi 8.44 - alt. 2,467 ft - Car park at the Maison Forestière de Fontenette

Worth a visit

Signal Viewpoint: views of the Haut Jura and Mont d’Or.
Picnic tables.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
3 / 5
cuzcodom
cuzcodom

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

It's true that construction machinery wreaks havoc. But the hike is enjoyable (and can be done in all seasons).
We started it in the company of hunters (who were friendly) who were heading towards St Léger. So no problem for us that day.
The optional short circular is nice.
Overall, a GPS is essential...
Thanks to the authors.

Machine-translated

cnu25
cnu25

Thank you, Souchon Maryse, for your comment… thank you, but I was mistaken about point S/E – it’s a hunting car park… sorry… correction made

Machine-translated

souchon maryse
souchon maryse

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

From the start of the walk right up to 6, it was fine, but from there on it was impossible to find the right path. It’s all been churned up by forestry machinery, even with the Viso app, so we had to turn back – a shame, as it was lovely in the woods. Also, for the return journey, heading down the road towards MOUTOUX to the hunting lodge – there’s no lodge there, or at least not anymore – but thankfully, with the Viso app, it wasn’t a problem. Thanks anyway.

Machine-translated

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