La Roche Devant

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A walk through the Marais forest, taking in a vantage point, the Roche Devant, overlooking the Bellefontaine valley.

Details

n°48756
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.93 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 725 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 728 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,757 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,028 ft
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Photos

Signposting

Description of the walk

Park in the car park by the stadium and the Les Marais picnic area.
(S/E) Take the road markedPR®, until you reach the junction leading to the holiday centre.

(1) Leave the path leading to the centre and continue left onto the road. Reach the Castel des Buses crossroads.

(2) Turn right onto the yellow-markedPR® trail. Walk gently uphill to a new junction below the ridge.

(3) Turn right, follow the ridge and reach a junction below the Roche Devant.
Climb up to it (just a few steps will do).

(4) Return to the junction and head straight ahead. Continue along the ridge and, at the next junction, rejoin the path leading up to the holiday camp.

(5) Turn right onto it (signposted ‘Les Marais’). Reach the holiday camp, then the road you took at the start.

(1) Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,031 ft - Car park at the Marais picnic area
  2. 1 : mi 0.48 - alt. 3,081 ft - Crossroads at the holiday centre
  3. 2 : mi 1.08 - alt. 3,353 ft - Castel des Buses
  4. 3 : mi 1.69 - alt. 3,730 ft - Crossroads below the ridge
  5. 4 : mi 2.09 - alt. 3,757 ft - La Roche Devant
  6. 5 : mi 2.76 - alt. 3,553 ft - Les Marais crossroads
  7. S/E : mi 3.93 - alt. 3,028 ft - Car park at the Marais picnic area

Notes

Wear sturdy shoes and gaiters as the paths are very muddy; timber is currently being hauled out.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Morbier and Morez are very close by.
Morbier for its cheese.
Morez for its glasses.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Morbier25
Morbier25

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The return path from LaRoche is in very poor condition and more difficult than expected

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picquepierre
picquepierre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with no major difficulties. It offers a beautiful view of the village of Bellefontaine.

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DD31410
DD31410

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy walk, with much of the route through woodland; be careful on the way back, as the path has been badly damaged by forestry machinery and is full of slippery stones.

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skiroll
skiroll

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A short, quick solo hike (it’s quicker that way!). The path is easy to follow. The signposting is perfect. There are plenty of signposts along the route.
The main attraction is the view over Bellefontaine and the valley from La Roche Devant.
The rest of the route takes you through the forest. One-third uphill, one-third on level ground and one-third downhill.

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