L'Aiguillon de Brasse and the Source de la Loue

Parking on the D67, on the right 3.4 km after Mouthier-Haute-Pierre, towards La Main, at the exit of the Gorges de Nouailles, a few metres before the sign for the "Écomusée de l'Abeille" (Bee Ecomuseum). If there are no spaces, continue on to the ecomuseum car park 400 metres away. Yellow and blue markings.

(S/E) Walk down a few steps towards the signpost marked "Route des Gorges". Cross the road carefully and climb the hillside via the Sentier de la côte Verse trail. The path quickly runs along the ledges overlooking the gorges, then leads you to the Aiguillon de Brasse via a few hairpin bends, a secure viewpoint with a 180° view from Mont Pelé to Moine de la Vallée and downstream to the Loue.

(1) Continue along the path that runs along the ridge towards the Sources de la Loue, through a beautiful, light-filled forest on the edge of the pastures. You will soon pass under a high-voltage power line with a view of the valley. Shortly afterwards, the path turns left (signpost) and joins a wider path, the former royal road.

(2) Continue to the right (towards La Creuse). Look out for the iron-rimmed wheel tracks in the stone left by our old carts. You will reach a gravel road (Chemin de la Brasse-Dessus) and turn right. Soon, on the left, you will see a pasture with an old shed. Head towards the building through the metal gate.

(3) Walk past the shed and follow the edge of the field on your left until you reach a marker post and a stony path that descends to the left into the woods (wooden ladder). You will come to a "tongue" of pasture and find a zigzag passage in the fence on your right. Continue along the edge on your left for about thirty steps to descend to the left into the woods via a path running alongside the barbed wire. You will come out onto a large pasture with a beautiful unobstructed view of the neighbouring mountains.

(4) Follow the edge of the woods on the right for about twenty steps to discover a rustic bench, ideal for a snack break while enjoying the landscape. From the bench, head diagonally to the right towards the "Brasse-Dessous" signpost in the middle of the pasture. Then head towards the telephone pole below (towards Source de la Loue via the right bank).

Go down towards the edge opposite to find a metal footbridge and a path crossing a wasteland, then entering the woods and quickly joining a wider forest path. Go down on the left to the ecomuseum car park and the D67 road.

(5) Cross the departmental road and carefully descend to the right until just before the car park and look for a path on the left that leads into the woods, marked by a signpost for "Route des Gorges".

(6) You now have three options (see practical information):

• return to the car park and the hike is over: 4.4 km and 150 m of elevation gain.

• Continue past the car park for about 150 m until you reach the next bend, then descend to the left onto the cliff-top path, which offers superb views over the Nouailles Gorges and leads you to the foot of the Loue resurgence. Return via the same route. This picturesque round trip will keep you entertained: 8.35 km and 335 m of elevation gain.

• Continue as indicated below, following the route provided. Turn left onto the forest path (towards Source de la Loue). At the pasture, turn left, following the fence to the signpost marked "La Creuse - Pâture" and turn right, entering the woods and following the ledges overlooking the valley until you reach a gravel path.

(7) Please note that there are not many signs on the ground: go up to the left along this stony path until you reach a small tarmac road (signposted "Pré Rouge"). Continue to the right until you reach the next fork (Le Chanois). Descend to the right to the car park at the source of the Loue, noting the numerous ruts carved into the rock by the iron-rimmed wheels of yesteryear.

(8) Head down to the right, passing in front of the Chalet de la Loue. Turn right at the Maison de la Source and continue to the foot of the resurgence.

(9) Head back up the stairs and take this superb path along the side of the gorge, which offers numerous views of the valley. You will come back to the departmental road, which you follow to the right for 150 metres to return to the car park. (S/E)

• * The route includes ledge paths and unsecured viewpoints. Rocky and slippery paths in places. Good footwear is essential and the use of walking sticks is recommended.

Some trails are marked as "mountain routes, cliff-edge trails, exposed to falling rocks and trees, do not use in bad weather or wet conditions".

At (6), there are two options:

• for those who dislike round trips: when reaching the source of the Loue via Le Chanois, the paths between (7) and (8) are not unpleasant, but more "ordinary" compared to the rest of the walk. The positives are the numerous ruts carved into the rock and a short stop to quench your thirst at the Chalet de la Loue. Return via the path along the side of the gorge.
• The round trip along the superb path along the side of the gorge: this picturesque round trip, under the arches carved into the rock, will not bore you. It is my favourite.

(5) Écomusée de l'Abeille: a farm that is part of the "Bienvenue à la Ferme" network. The life of bees, an educational and lively exhibition, where you can observe the bees through glass hives in complete safety.

(9) The source of the Loue: gushing from a large cave carved into a wall over 100 metres high, the source of the Loue is a resurgence of the Doubs. On 11 August 1901, when the Pernod factories in Pontarlier burned down after being struck by lightning, firefighters poured the highly flammable absinthe into a lost well. Traces of absinthe and golden yellow dye were found in the emerald green reflections of the Loue.