The Celtic Camp: The 30 cottages and the Petit Auxey mountain

A beautiful, slightly challenging hike, with magnificent views over prestigious villages and vineyards (Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet) and an extraordinary collection of cottages.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 413 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 413 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 436 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 259 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Auxey-Duresses church car park.

(S/E) Head east towards the village center for a few metres, then turn right into Rue du Pont Boillot.
Turn right after the bridge over the Ruisseau des Cloux,

(1) Take the first path on the left, which climbs up through the vineyards. After 250m, leave the track for a path on the left, marked Yellow-Red. Follow the path (2 steep climbs) until you come to another path to the right. Leaving the yellow-red markings, take this path to the right until you come to a scree slope to the left, the start of the Celtic Camp.

(2) Follow this scree slope. At the end of the scree, take the left-hand path. At the next crossroads, take the path on the left that leads to the statue of Saint-Christophe.

(3) Head due south along the botanical path to the orientation table.

(4) Continue along the botanical path until you come to a white track, which you turn left onto until you reach hill 403.

(5) Take the second path on the right, the one that goes downhill. Leave a track on your left. At the next junction, turn left, then right (north).

(6) After 700m, turn left onto the gravel path that climbs for 150m, then leave it to take the path opposite, which descends until it joins the Sentier des Cabottes.

Turn left (signposted). Follow this path, signposted all the way, to discover the 30 numbered cottages. After cottage no. 13 (elevation 434), you can return to a beautiful viewpoint (Falaise d'Orches, Saint-Romain).

(8) Rejoin the previous crossroads and turn left to continue along the Sentier des Cabottes.
Reach cottage no. 30 at 273 m asl. Leave the Sentier des Cabottes (cottages) to the right and turn left (north) onto the path leading to Petit Auxey. Reach a crossroads.

(9) Continue straight ahead. Cross the D973 (with care) to reach the D17e. Follow it to the right for 40m, then turn left into Rue de la Fontaine, passing the Saint-Symphorien church.

(10) Turn left up Rue du Lavoir. Leave the wash-house on your right and take the gravel path that climbs steeply to the left (north-west) towards Montagne du Petit Auxey. Reach a hairpin bend.

(11) Follow the path in a north-easterly direction, above the vineyards, go straight on past hill 377, then after 500m, turn right onto the path leading down to Auxey-Duresses. Join the GR®76 and follow it to the right for 150m.

(12) At the kiosk crossroads, turn right onto Petit Auxey. Go straight ahead. At the entrance to the hamlet, turn left onto Rue de Borgey, then right onto D17e for 100m. Then turn left, cross the D973 and rejoin the path junction you passed earlier.

(9) Take the left-hand path. Continue along the Chemin des Naupages.

(1) Cross the bridge to the left to reach the starting point at the church car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 261 m - Auxey-Duresses church car park
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 260 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1.23 - alt. 377 m - Mount Milan Celtic camp
  4. 3 : km 2.15 - alt. 365 m - Statue of Saint-Christophe
  5. 4 : km 2.51 - alt. 385 m - Orientation table on the botanical trail
  6. 5 : km 3.43 - alt. 404 m - Code 403, on the right
  7. 6 : km 4.38 - alt. 330 m - Left fork
  8. 7 : km 4.95 - alt. 308 m - Start of the Sentier des Cabottes
  9. 8 : km 7.48 - alt. 433 m - Viewpoint
  10. 9 : km 11.02 - alt. 269 m - Second loop crossroads
  11. 10 : km 11.46 - alt. 278 m - Church of Saint-Symphorien Petit Auxey
  12. 11 : km 11.9 - alt. 365 m - Lyre-shaped vines and viewpoint
  13. 12 : km 13.7 - alt. 277 m - Carrefour du kiosque, on the right
  14. S/E : km 16.23 - alt. 260 m - Auxey-Duresses church car park

Practical information

The trail of the cottages is closed on Sundays between October 15 and February 28 (hunting).

In the nearby area

(2) The scree at the start of the hike is in fact the ruins of a fortified Celtic camp on Mont Milan. Along the way, we can make out a few remains of the enclosure, access to the camp and buildings. It covers an area of 1.5 hectares.

(3) From the orientation table, a magnificent panorama of the vineyards, the plain, the foothills of the Jura and, weather permitting, a view of Mont Blanc.

(7) Cottages were once used as shelters by winegrowers, shepherds and farmers. Most of them date back to the first half of the 19th century. Built of flat, dry stone, they were gradually abandoned. This perfectly signposted tour reveals a wide variety of cottages (numbered from 1 to 30), which volunteers have worked hard to restore.

(10) Church of Saint-Symphorien de Petit Auxey, classified as a Historic Monument, originally belonging to Saint-Symphorien d'Autun, then to the Abbey of Cluny, it features a facade with bell tower and portal dating back to the end of the 12th century.

(11) Lyre-shaped (or Y-shaped) vines. This choice of vine shape has a number of advantages: erosion control, "upright" work, better sunlight for the plant, so more quantity and quality, less disease, so fewer treatments. Disadvantage: harvesting cannot be automated.

The church of Saint-Martin d'Auxey-Duresses, topped by a tufa limestone bell tower, is usually open to the public. It is home to a magnificent triptych of the Nativity of the Virgin, recently restored and well documented (fact sheets on site), to be admired both open and closed.

Along the way, you'll also notice the irreparable damage caused to the box trees by box moths.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 24 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
billbock
billbock

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

magnificent walk, very varied except for the end towards petit auxey which is less interesting

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Randonneur-120
Randonneur-120

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

It's a pity that the boxwoods have been devoured by the boxwood borer, which sometimes creates a ghostly setting....
Disappointing hike....site of the Botanical Garden....the various shrubs advertised are non-existent..... devoured by the bugs!
The Cabotes site has been invaded by moths, which were hanging around as we passed along the paths.

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Coviaux
Coviaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice, sporty hike, with no route problems and a wide variety of scenery. No doubt good trail training, there are lots of repeats and it's quite technical in places on the Cabottes path.

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monique.1954
monique.1954
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The routes are very well laid out, with detailed information on viewpoints, etc.

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Chipie21
Chipie21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk, with the added bonus of the beautiful Cabottes path, most of which is shaded for the first part, which is important in these hot weather conditions. The return via Petit Aussey is sunnier and offers beautiful views after a slightly steep climb.... Very good signposting. Thanks for sharing.

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Borosmoke
Borosmoke

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Typical Côte d'Or landscapes. There are also 30 cabottes to enjoy. A 4-hour walk that's well worth the effort, with no difficulties whatsoever.

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doug63
doug63

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk, sheltered in the mossy undergrowth with the box trees greening up, then on the other side exposed to the sun, with a view of the vines. In very hot weather, the second part can easily be avoided.
The Cabottes trail is truly amazing, and we highly recommend this walk.

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DROUILLOT
DROUILLOT
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Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Thank you Philjacque for the good description and interesting details of this beautiful route. Don't do it when it's raining because of the steep climbs in (1). We did it on a sunny day and took full advantage of the palette of autumn colours over the woods and vineyards: magnificent!
Well done and thank you to the volunteers for restoring the cabottes.

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poucito
poucito

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route was taken in fine weather and varied: uphill and downhill, mossy undergrowth, meadows, very wild, the grapes were ripe, a few viewpoints, benches and nice picnic tables, but be careful as we saw 2 vipers. On the path to the cabottes you go round in circles until you lose your sense of direction, but the cabottes trail is well signposted;
Thank you to the person who mapped out the route and to those who signposted the cabottes trail.
We discovered some backpack huts!

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morantal
morantal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Super walk, impeccable signposting, great panorama, various and varied cadoles.
This spring there are many flowers, some of them rare and protected.
The start of the walk is shady, but the end is well exposed to the sun.
I recommend this outing, which can easily be shortened.

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teddy.masson
teddy.masson

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

nice hike
14km on my gps
4h walk without a break except for the photos of the cabottes, which are very pretty to look at
magnificent view of the mont d'auxey at the end of the route, especially in autumn above the vines
first ascent and the last a little steep but not difficult

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Eymard Franck
Eymard Franck

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful hike. Beautiful views and varied landscape.
The Cabottes trail can be shortened as it feels like you're going round in circles, so look out for the signposts when you're in a meadow to go straight back down to Auxey Duresses.

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christineram
christineram

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely hike, even for children. Explanations about the cabottes would be welcome, as would the botanical trail.

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JCl21
JCl21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Part of this walk was done with friends: we left Auxey, took the cabottes circuit and returned to Auxey only, which is already about 10 km; this circuit takes a long time: we stopped all the time to admire the cabottes and above all the magnificent panorama over the Melin valley and the cliffs of Orches; we left at 9 a.m. and didn't get back to Auxey until 1 p.m.! In fact, it would have been better if we'd taken our picnic with us: at 12 noon sharp we arrived at the picnic site on the route. Along the way, we only met 2 people in charge of signposting the trail, who gave us a detailed map of it. All in all, we had a superb walk!

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philjacque
philjacque

Thank you for this review. A great encouragement to share (publish) your hikes...

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