Route of the two chapels of Sainte-Marie-en-Chanois

Follow in the footsteps of Saint Columbanus, a monk from Ireland and founder of the Abbey of Luxeuil-les-Bains, and discover the religious heritage of Sainte-Marie-en-Chanois. From the top of the Saint-Colomban Chapel, take a break and admire the view over the Breuchin Valley. Next to the chapel is the cave, whose ceiling has now collapsed, where the monk liked to retreat to pray in solitude.

Details

20071488
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 264 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 263 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 518 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 352 m

Description of the walk

The route starts from the Chapelle Saint-Roch chapel between Amage and Sainte-Marie-en-Chanois.

The route is marked with yellow rings.

(S/E) From the chapel, follow the path towards the D6 and Amage. At the crossroads after about 100 metres, turn left onto Chemin de Saint-Roch. At the crossroads, turn right to join the D6. Cross the road carefully and follow it to the left. Shortly afterwards, turn right onto Route du Tacot. After 100 metres, turn right onto Chemin des Champs de la Pierre. Continue uphill to the right onto Chemin des Champs Pougeot and very quickly, at the first three-way junction, go up to the left.

(1) When the path turns sharply to the left, continue straight ahead on a steep path that climbs towards Roche de la Jaunotte.

(2) Leave the path and take a wide track on the right. Continue straight ahead, east then east-northeast, for about 1 km.

(3) Go down the road on the left and pass a hut. When the road turns left, take a path on the right. Walk along the Étang d'Epée on your left and, further on, join a tarmac road.

(4) Follow the road to the right. At the next intersection, turn left towards the Chapelle Saint-Colomban. Continue straight ahead on the main path, ignoring all the side paths, until you reach the chapel.

(5) Turn right and climb the path that passes in front of a stone bench (path not shown on the map). Descend to the paragliding launch site. Then take a path not shown on the map that goes up into the woods on the right.

(6) Join a forest path and follow it downhill to the right. After a hairpin bend to the left, continue downhill, ignoring two paths that branch off to the left.

(7) At the fork, go up to the right. At the next junction, turn left and continue to a tarmac road.

(8) Follow the road to the left and descend. Ignore a road on the left and walk alongside the cemetery to reach the centre of the village.

(9) Cross the D6 carefully, follow it to the right for a few metres, then take the street on the left. At the crossroads, take the path opposite, which will take you back to the Saint-Roch Chapel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 359 m - Car park - Chapelle Saint-Roch (Sainte-Marie-en-Chanois)
  2. 1 : km 1.73 - alt. 429 m - Path climbing into the woods
  3. 2 : km 2.3 - alt. 509 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 3.47 - alt. 506 m - Forest road on the left
  5. 4 : km 4.48 - alt. 506 m - Small road
  6. 5 : km 5.64 - alt. 494 m - Chapelle Saint-Colomban (Sainte-Marie-en-Chanois)
  7. 6 : km 6.22 - alt. 468 m - Forest path
  8. 7 : km 6.69 - alt. 403 m - Fork
  9. 8 : km 7.43 - alt. 418 m - Small road
  10. 9 : km 8.25 - alt. 359 m - Crossing the D6
  11. S/E : km 8.98 - alt. 359 m - Car park - Chapelle Saint-Roch (Sainte-Marie-en-Chanois)

Notes

This route is not fully shown on the IGN map.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Christian boffy
Christian boffy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route has been approved by a hiking club. It is a beautiful trail with many wonderful things to discover, particularly the chapels.

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Goretex
Goretex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular walk between two iconic chapels.
The first climb is challenging at the moment because many trees have been felled and left lying across the paths.
A small caveat at point 3: regarding the Sword Pond, it is noted that you walk along the pond on the left-hand side, but in reality you have to walk along the right-hand side, as the left-hand side is private property.
The vegetation is indeed dense at this time of year.
The area around Saint Colomban Chapel is very well maintained.
The site and the viewpoint allow us to contemplate the landscape of the valley.
Thank you for sharing this.

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marine.m30
marine.m30
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike. A nice climb at the start to get you going.
Be careful near the pond, as forestry work has been carried out and you have to make your way through fallen trees.
After the pond, the path could do with a bit of clearing, as the tall grass gives the impression that the path is no longer being maintained.
The area next to La Chapelle is very pleasant.

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Gatien44
Gatien44
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful short hike. During this rainy season, there are quite a few ruts filled with water, so you have to go a little off-trail. An unusual hunting lodge with an outdoor bench where you can take a break.
And nothing but peace and quiet.

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Normann74
Normann74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike with wild spots, the site of St Colomban Chapel is pleasant and conducive to meditation (I was alone). Be careful after the hang gliding area, as the signage is a bit confusing.

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