The Death Ladders from La Cendrée

Beautiful views, a lovely setting and an unusual part of the hike, crossing the death ladders.

Details

43
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 540 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 547 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 960 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 550 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start: car park at the Cendrée viewpoint, near Charquemont.

Follow the paved road to the path that climbs up on your left, just before the Cendrée house. Follow the yellow and blue markings that will take you to the Cendrée viewpoint. Continue on this path, always following the yellow and blue markings. At the intersection, go down the small path towards the monks' cave.

(1) After passing the cave, descend to the road and take it on the left to continue downhill. The markings will take you around a bend via a small path, which means you avoid some of the tarmac. Once you reach the road, continue downhill.
At one point, you can leave the road and take a small path on the right that brings you closer to the Doubs river, then rejoin the road until you reach the Refrain power station.

(2) Go up to the left at the factory, following the signs for the via ferrata and the Ladders of Death. This path is still marked in yellow and blue, but you are now leaving theGR®5.
Climb the Échelles de la Mort. These ladders deserve some explanation: they are like metal staircases that allow you to climb up to the heights without having to scale the cliff. They are not dangerous if you are careful.

(3) Once at the top, you will find a large viewpoint where you can enjoy the scenery.
Follow the path indicated by the signs and do not turn left immediately, as this is the way back to the via ferrata. Instead, follow the signs for the Bois de la Biche on the left. You will cross an open area before returning to the forest.
Continue to follow the yellow and blue markings.

(4) When you reach the buildings, take the path on the right that climbs slightly. Be careful, as there is another path that descends slightly. Continue along this wide path that runs along the edge of the forest until you reach a small intersection.

(5) Turn right, then left to reach the Bois de la Biche. Take the road to the cinder car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 954 m - La Cendrée car park
  2. 1 : km 1.1 - alt. 835 m - Monks' Cave
  3. 2 : km 4.24 - alt. 557 m - On the left before the factory
  4. 3 : km 4.75 - alt. 656 m - Belvedere of the death ladders
  5. 4 : km 6.13 - alt. 780 m - Path on the right that climbs uphill
  6. 5 : km 7.08 - alt. 832 m - Turn right
  7. S/E : km 8.36 - alt. 954 m - La Cendrée car park

Notes

The ladders are only dangerous if you are careless.
There is a small permanent exhibition at the Refrain factory.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 78 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 21741388

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. However, I would advise caution for those who suffer from acrophobia or even vertigo; it is best to avoid using the ladders.

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gui09
gui09

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk indeed, which I particularly enjoy in autumn for its colours...
The route is clear, with (minor changes) before the Bois de la Biche, it seemed to me...
Otherwise, this route, which can be difficult for some, was very much appreciated (group of 11 people).

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LUCIEN30
LUCIEN30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike (the car park at La Cendrée is poorly signposted). Magnificent views along the cliff at the start of the hike before descending to the Grotte au Moine cave. An excellent hike for sunny summer days with many paths in the shade of the forest. You pass alongside a stretch of the Doubs river that is full of character but soothing in the calm of nature. The passage through the "ladders of death" may be daunting for those who are afraid of heights, but it is relatively safe (and I speak from experience!). After this challenge, you can sit down with a picnic and enjoy the view from the lookout point. In short, a great walk to do with the family, but don't forget to bring bottles of water so you don't end up thirsty.

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User 13931055

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike (poorly signposted car park). Magnificent view along the cliff at the start of the hike before descending to the Grotte au Moine cave. Excellent hike for sunny summer days with lots of paths in the shade of the forest. Passes alongside a stream in the Doubs river, full of character but peaceful in the calm of nature. The death ladders may be a little scary for those who are afraid of heights, but they are relatively safe (and I know what I'm talking about!). After this challenge, you can sit down with a picnic and enjoy the view from the viewpoint. In short, a great walk for the whole family, but don't forget to bring water so you don't end up thirsty.

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michbad54
michbad54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very nice walk. Quite difficult but well rewarded afterwards. Walking poles very useful.
Thank you

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Valentin_P
Valentin_P
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Superb hike
Nothing very dangerous on this hike, contrary to what you might think from reading "ladders of death", but there will be a challenge for those who are afraid of heights.
At the start of the hike you are at the top of the cliff next to the void, there are no barriers but there is plenty of space, so it's not dangerous. The three ladders are well anchored and not very long.
It was a bit tricky to find the Cendrée car park on the GPS, but in the end it took me a bit longer and that's fine.

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Les Crapahuteurs
Les Crapahuteurs

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk, accessible again since 2/08/23. Varied scenery and discovery of a wilder part of the Doubs gorges, which almost bewitched me. My 18-year-old daughter, who is not much of a hiker, really enjoyed it. As for the description, I can't make any judgement because I'm basically following the GPS track...😋

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Gill 90
Gill 90

Please note that a landslide destroyed one of the ladders on 21 June 2023 following a storm. Access will be impossible for several months. Please enquire before setting off.

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Alsacienne
Alsacienne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk

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loict31
loict31

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very fine and varied route, 95% of which is on footpaths offering beautiful panoramic views in the heart of the Doubs gorges, so a natural feel is guaranteed!
There are only two very secure ladders, which should really be called staircases.

The route is very shady, so be careful in case of rain or ice, which may increase your level of vigilance.

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Fabrice 25
Fabrice 25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very well signposted route,
Most of it in the undergrowth, which is pleasant in these hot weather conditions.
Lovely viewpoints.

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kloetty
kloetty

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good on all points.

On the other hand, the hike without a dog should be specified (impossible to climb the second series of ladders).

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Super hike, beautiful views. Thank you for this beautiful route

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guicheton
guicheton

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A slightly difficult but very beautiful route. Pleasant paths and excellent signposting.
Beautiful views.

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isagerard
isagerard
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb walk, the ladders were recently redone and everything was perfect
we hiked in the morning, but I think there are a lot more people in the afternoon (it was a Sunday)

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