The Tuffière and Raffenot waterfalls

Set off to discover two small valleys of contrasting light and shade. Then, as the landscape becomes wilder, you will come to the Source Bleue and, nestled in the greenery, the Tuffière, resembling the mouth of a giant forest creature, ready to devour you, ending at the Cascade du Raffenot at the bottom of a typical valley of the Loue.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 349 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 349 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 552 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 354 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park on Rue du Colonel Bérion in Vuillafans (left bank of the Loue) at the foot of the signpost, the starting point for two hikes, climbing the first small road on the left towards the Val de Vergetolle. Yellow-red and yellow-blue signposts.

(S/E) Head towards La Tuffière along the stony road.

(1) At the footbridge over the Vergetolle stream, continue straight ahead towards the Source Bleue-Tuffière. You may need to open (and close) two metal gates to discover this charming little valley of contrasting light and shade.

(2) When this beautiful path crosses the stream, do not cross, but continue along the Vergettolle on your right via the path that will lead you to the Source Bleue.

(3) At the spring, retrace your steps for about a hundred metres to find a ford before two large stones on either side of the stream. Be careful, the signpost is on the other bank. Then go up to the right. (If you miss this ford, don't panic, cross at the first ford.

(2) Go up to the right. Be careful, as the start of the climb to the bottom of the valley is on a wet and slippery rock path. Follow the waterfalls and you will come to a tuff rock on your left. Continue along the path that passes at the foot of a large tree (signpost facing away from the direction of travel) and approaches the stream again, staying on its left bank. The landscape becomes wild, but the path is well marked and signposted.

(4) You finally arrive at the foot of the superb Tuffière. Continue climbing to the left. A hundred metres higher, at the foot of a tree with signposts, the path turns left (towards Châteauvieux). You will soon come to a small recess that the path will take you around at the top. The path that then crosses the Cuchot becomes wilder, with a few trees in the way, but these do not obstruct the path.

(5) As you approach the ledges, the forest thins out and you come to a fork. Take the right-hand path towards Chantrans-Châteauvieux.

(6) Caution: when you pass a mossy dry stone wall on your left, you will come to a first fork. Continue straight ahead, still following the collapsed wall for about fifteen steps until you reach the junction of two descending paths. Take the second path (on the left) and walk downhill for about 150 metres. At the foot of a tree on the right with signs for Chantrans-Source Bleue and VTT29, you will come to a three-way intersection: take the sunken path downhill to the left (sign for Châteauvieux). Halfway down the slope, the path turns sharply to the right.

(7) You will come out into the pretty little sunny valley of Raffenot, at an old bridge (ideal for a snack break). Turn right towards the waterfall, taking the stony path that winds along the bottom of the valley and leads you to a beautiful mossy pine forest.

(8) Immediately after the ford, turn right towards the end of the valley and the waterfall, following the stream lined with snowdrops at the end of winter. Then turn back to the crossroads.

(8) Turn right towards Châtauvieux-les-Fossés. As you leave the woods, ignore the path down to the left and continue straight up (MTB trail 110).

(9) At the foot of the walls, the remains of the feudal castle of Châteauvieux, descend the path on the left. Then turn right at the footbridge to reach the crossroads (1) and return to the right along the stony path you started on: (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 354 m - Rue du Colonel Bérion in Vuillafans
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 365 m - Vergetolle stream
  3. 2 : km 1.97 - alt. 403 m - Fording
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 419 m - Source Bleue (Châteauvieux-les-Fossés)
  5. 4 : km 2.64 - alt. 483 m - Cascade de la Tuffière (Châteauvieux-les-Fossés)
  6. 5 : km 4 - alt. 522 m - Le Cuchot
  7. 6 : km 4.66 - alt. 542 m - Dry stone wall
  8. 7 : km 5.33 - alt. 381 m - The Raffenot Valley
  9. 8 : km 6 - alt. 402 m - Towards the Raffenot waterfall
  10. 9 : km 9.05 - alt. 429 m - At the foot of the walls of Châteauvieux
  11. S/E : km 10.72 - alt. 354 m - Rue du Colonel Bérion in Vuillafans

Notes

Rocky and slippery paths in places. Good footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.

  • Not suitable for young children.
  • Some paths are steep and slippery in wet weather.
  • Best to do after a period of rain to enjoy the water running off the rocks.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
xerocrete
xerocrete

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but the first part was in the rain.
The trail was, in fact, quite slippery at times.
At the Source Bleue, we discovered two pools filled with water and future frogs!
however, the waterfalls were dry.
The spring flora hid the forest, which was in poor condition in some places.

A detour to Chateauvieux is a must; this little village has a lot of charm.

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pathy
pathy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

On that day, 14 April, during our hike, both waterfalls were completely dry, with no trace of water to be seen. Only the blue spring still had a little water.
Such are the whims of nature.

What struck me most, however, was the worrying state of the forest. Many trees had been felled, had fallen over or were lying on the ground, some even blocking the path and making it difficult to walk. The whole scene was desolate, almost disturbing.
It's such a shame!

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Marmotte39
Marmotte39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike at the end of January 2025. Excellent signage. The climb to the waterfall is a little steep. But it's truly magnificent because you walk alongside small waterfalls until you reach the tuff stone, which is magical at this time of year with the frost. In two places, the water is turquoise! Incredible in this enchanted forest. Uphill, downhill, a little technical... great! The Raffenot waterfall is very beautiful in winter. I loved it, I recommend it. A visit to Chateau-Vieux is well worth it... a charming little village with a beautiful castle.

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Séve25
Séve25
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with stunning waterfalls in mid-July.
I had already done it a few years ago, but there was no water. This time, I was spoiled.
A real moment of relaxation and unwinding.
Do it before the hot weather sets in if you want to enjoy it.
Wear good shoes as it's quite slippery, and walking sticks are a good idea.

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Gill 90
Gill 90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in autumn on 25 November 2023. Following a period of heavy rain, water was everywhere along much of the route. The three waterfalls were spectacular. The route is very easy to follow and the author's description is very good. Be careful not to slip on the trail; you need to wear good shoes. I recommend doing the trail in the direction of the description, as the climbs are longer but gentler. If you go in the other direction, expect very steep slopes. Please note that in spring and summer, the Tuffière and Raffenot waterfalls are likely to be dry.

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17decembre
17decembre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This was our second time doing this hike, but we enjoyed it more because it had rained and the waterfalls were flowing more strongly. Be sure to wear good shoes and bring walking sticks because it's slippery....

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evelyne chollet
evelyne chollet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in beautiful spring sunshine.
We found the route pleasant and not too difficult, with one or two tricky sections that were indicated in the description.
The blue spring and waterfalls were very pretty, and we were lucky enough to see lots of different flowers, as well as a squirrel and some chamois.
Overall, we had a very positive experience on this hike, which took us less than four hours, including a picnic break.

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KatiaPhil
KatiaPhil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We will return during the wet season. Everything was dry.
Thank you for this lovely walk

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meunier.geraldine@wanadoo.fr
meunier.geraldine@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike after heavy rain, the waterfalls were spectacular. The path is slippery, so bring walking sticks and good shoes. Crossing the stream is difficult when there is a lot of water, but you can get across by finding the right spot. I highly recommend it.

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Valdah
Valdah

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A must-see route if you are in the area.
But only on a sunny day, after a dry spell.

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binette
binette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike
I recommend it in warm weather as it is well shaded and, if possible, outside the low water period to enjoy the beauty of the waterfalls.
Very slippery in places, so walking shoes and walking sticks are essential.
The village of Château Vieux les Fossés is worth a visit even though it's not on the route; it won't take more than a few minutes.
The added bonus is that there are no roads nearby and you are surrounded by nature, accompanied by birdsong and the sound of the stream.
Régis

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wiloucaramel
wiloucaramel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with varied landscapes.

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nature25
nature25

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a magnificent walk, with a perfect route and description.

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GMR25
GMR25

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, shaded which is appreciated in hot weather. However, the spring and waterfalls were dry. We had already done this hike in winter, when the waterfalls were frozen, which was magnificent. At the blue spring, if the ground isn't too slippery, you can walk over the spring on the right and find the path to the waterfall by going up to the left, so you don't have to retrace your steps. Don't forget to visit Châteauvieux les Fossés. The description of the hike is very good, thank you.

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MartineD
MartineD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this beautiful hike. We did it after several days of rain and a lot of water, so it was really beautiful. A little slippery in places, so you have to be careful, but as long as you are well equipped (shoes and walking sticks), there is no real danger.
The description is perfect, except at point 9, where we continued along the path to visit the little village of Chateauvieux les fossés and missed the fork to the left, but we retraced our steps to find the route again.

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