The Grand Finale

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.

Details

34583846
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 187 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 187 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 471 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 290 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park in Abbans-Dessus, in front of the cemetery, almost at the edge of the old village, towards Quingey. Markings: White-Red, Yellow-Blue, mountain bike symbols and some unmarked sections.

(S/E) Head towards the village centre, taking the time to visit the church. Walk along the castle walls and climb the small street on the left, at the foot of the keep. Pass under the old bridge and go round via the alleyway that leads to the castle entrance, then return to the main street, Rue Jouffroy d’Abbans.

(1) Head downhill to the left. Look out for a beautiful old house with a turret on the left, then leave the village by following the main road, enjoying views of the Doubs valley and the Besançon mountains.

(2) Take the first stony path on the right (marked for the Grand Tour de Besançon mountain bike route). After the metal barrier, at a fork, head down to the right. A little further down, the path forks. Take the path up to the left. When the path begins a new climb, it forks. Stay on this MTB route to the right. The path forks just before a rocky hillock. Head straight down to join, at a right angle, a wider forest track (marker).

(3) Head down to the right. Join a wider path at a right angle. Continue to the right, following the red and white markings to reach the stream at a refreshing rocky ford, where you can take a short break accompanied by the murmur of the water.

(4) Follow the stream upstream and soon cross it via a wooden footbridge (yellow and blue markings). Stay on this wide, stony path which begins to climb away from the stream. At the top, back in the meadows, you’ll reach a fork. Turn right to rejoin, at a right angle, the small tarmac road of La Grande Fin.

(5) Turn left into this peaceful little valley. The road becomes stony and enters the woods for a short while. Turn right at the next fork, leaving the mountain bike route for the yellow-red markings to the Montgardot War Memorial (on the left of the path).

(6) Retrace your steps a few paces and climb up to the left onto the wide stony path. After a steep climb, the path immediately begins to descend.

(7) Don’t miss the path that climbs the slope to the left to follow the ridge line. Continue straight on at the nearby fork. The path turns into a wider track leading you to the Signal mast (which once offered a viewpoint, now obscured by vegetation).

(8) Head down towards the village along the small road on the right, which offers a lovely view of Abbans. You will soon reach the cemetery and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 409 m - Abbans-Dessus Cemetery
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 406 m - Abbans-Dessus Castle
  3. 2 : km 1.4 - alt. 363 m - Les Chandelottes
  4. 3 : km 2.59 - alt. 293 m - The Ruisseau Trail
  5. 4 : km 2.71 - alt. 291 m - Fording
  6. 5 : km 3.94 - alt. 378 m - The Grand Finale
  7. 6 : km 7.11 - alt. 405 m - War Memorial of 1970
  8. 7 : km 7.59 - alt. 451 m - Les Ayers
  9. 8 : km 8.92 - alt. 469 m - Le Signal
  10. S/E : km 9.56 - alt. 409 m - Abbans-Dessus Cemetery

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
christianmarche
christianmarche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike.

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sombress
sombress

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant

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Randonneur25210
Randonneur25210

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I think everything has already been said in the reviews by previous hikers; the route follows beautiful, well-maintained paths. It is quite varied, but remains easy and interesting for the average hiker.
However, the two shortcomings already noted are confirmed: a GPS is absolutely essential to navigate between the various signposts, which are anything but dedicated to the hike itself and are even insufficient given the large number of crossroads encountered. Furthermore, although you are walking along a ridge, the vegetation—which unfortunately grows by 1.5 metres a year—now completely blocks any panoramic views, even around the mast, at least whilst the leaves are still on the trees.

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46497477
46497477
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
A lovely, easy walk – I’ll definitely do it again.
Just a quick note about the signposting – it could be a bit clearer in some places.
Pierre

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NanaDidi
NanaDidi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, varied walk. The route is easy to follow, and the description is sometimes even a bit too detailed. If possible, it would be helpful to have more specific instructions on whether to follow or ignore the existing markings.

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colley
colley

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We’ll go back in autumn or winter to enjoy the views, as the leaves mean there’s very little to see

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