Along the Doubs beneath the castles, starting from Boussières

Park in the Maison des Loups car park, Rue des Richets.

(S/E) Head back down to the main road, cross it at the pedestrian crossing in front of the school and walk through the village on the D105 towards Thoraise and Besançon. After the sawmill, turn right and head up towards the recycling centre.

(1) Go round the recycling centre and turn left onto the dirt track. Continue down the slope, ignoring the path on the right. Cross the D105 carefully and carry on downhill to the crossroads in the village.

(2) At the speed bump, take the cycle route on your right and head for the car park alongside the canal and the tunnel. (Visit the website: you can walk through the tunnel using the stairs).

(3) Before the car park, look out for the path leading towards the Doubs on your left. Follow it as close as possible to the river and pass by the foot of the castle to reach a few houses in Thorais. You’ll come out onto the D105.

(4) Cross at the pedestrian crossing and head right onto the pavement. Cross the bridge and continue through the village towards Besançon.

(5) At the Fork in the road, take Rue de Mont on your left. Cross the level crossing and reach the hamlet of Mont. Walk past the Couvent de Béthanie.

(6) Leave the road to the left at a right-hand bend, and continue along the cemetery walls to follow a grassy path. At the end of this, go through the gate in the fence, enter the grounds and turn left into the woods whilst walking alongside the property.

(7) When you reach the riverbank, follow the path branching off to your right, which will bring you closer to the bank. After a slightly tricky stretch along the water’s edge (watch out for slippery patches and branches protruding from the ground!!), you’ll now walk on completely flat ground along a wide, very well-marked path. Continue along the riverbank, taking care not to damage the crops you pass. Pass beneath Torpes Castle and walk alongside the ruins of the old sawmill.
Please be careful: if you get too close, the vegetation may conceal holes in the ground overlooking the old canal used to power the saws.

(8) As you emerge from the woods, ignore the path leading uphill to the right and continue along the wide path that runs alongside the river. Pass under the railway bridge and carry on. Above the cliffs, on the opposite bank, you’ll have a lovely view of Boussières Castle. Head for the road bridge.

(9) At the foot of the bridge abutment, head up to the right to join the D104. Cross the bridge over the Doubs, walk past the paper mill housing estates and, at the junction, carefully cross the D107E1. Look out for the path leading uphill at the corner by the electricity substation, take it and, further up, cross the D104.

(10) A short distance further on, take the path that leads into the forest and climbs alongside the road (the path used by workers at the Boussières paper mills).

(11) At the fork in the road on the flat stretch, turn right and, a little further on, go straight on towards the mast. Then walk between the houses and head for the Maison des Loups car park (S/E).

Route to avoid if the river is in flood: two impassable sections towards (3) and after (6) along the river in the woods.

View of the castles in the three villages.
Industrial ruins.
Wildlife on the river and along its banks.