The Pesmes Forges

Hike in the Pesmes forges and along the Ognon river.

Details

126992
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.40 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 193 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 188 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park on Rue des Loups in the Fontaine de Coulances car park.

(S/E) Turn left in the direction indicated by the sign for "Les Forges - Musée". Turn into the first road (dead end) on the left to reach the bridge over the Forges dam.

(1) Go back along the path you came from and turn left. Enter the Forges site and cross it.

(2) Turn left onto the fitness trail and walk around the island. Stay on the path that runs alongside the River Ognon.

(3) Along the stream, turn left at the small dam and then left again onto the path that leads into the fields.

(4) At the crossroads at the end of the path, turn left and keep left at the fork that follows to enter the woods and then the surrounding fields. At the junction with a path on the left, continue to the right and reach a T-junction.

(5) Turn right onto the small path that heads back in the opposite direction and enters the woods. Cross the woods, keeping to the right of the path, to reach the fork

(4). There, turn left and then right to return to the starting point.
Retrace your steps without going back through the fitness trail.

(3) At the small dam, continue straight ahead, skirting the walls of the forges and turning right

(6) Return by the same route to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 192 m - Parking at Fontaine de Coulances
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 190 m - Forges Dam
  3. 2 : km 1.02 - alt. 191 m - Les Forges
  4. 3 : km 2.07 - alt. 189 m - At the small dam, turn left.
  5. 4 : km 3.16 - alt. 190 m - At the crossroads, turn left.
  6. 5 : km 5.33 - alt. 191 m - T, turn right onto the small path
  7. 6 : km 8.58 - alt. 192 m - Walk along the wall of the Forges site.
  8. S/E : km 9.4 - alt. 192 m - Parking at Fontaine de Coulances

Worth a visit

The village of Pesmes, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France with its old stones, its castle and a superb view from the ramparts.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
randoquentin
randoquentin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The only slight concern is the starting point. It says "Fontaine de Coulances car park"? The hike starts on Rue du Lavoir, which is off to the left of the road leading to the forges. In fact, you can park on this street a little further away from the wash house.

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GéraldCh25
GéraldCh25

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The village of Pesmes and the Forges site are the points of interest that make this walk worthwhile. The rest of the route is typical of the region, winding its way through farmland and somewhat monotonous flat terrain.
There are no signposts, so following the route on your smartphone is almost essential for a peaceful hike.

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eric.RAMM
eric.RAMM

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

The Ognon river began to flood on the day of the hike. This prevented us from crossing the small dam (point 4) and forced us to leave the forge site to go around it. However, it did provide beautiful views of the river's meanders, with interesting wildlife. Significant forestry work was underway in the wooded area before returning to point 5. Study the map carefully and avoid this route in wet weather. Hike through farmland, of moderate interest away from the riverbanks. We enhanced it by starting from the historic centre of Pesmes, a very beautiful village with a remarkable church that has undergone numerous restorations, then passing by the Coutances fountain (about 12.5 km in total, but with no elevation gain).

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michel 25
michel 25

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

No markings... disastrous!

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prielle
prielle

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The discovery of the forge site is interesting, but the rest of the route is monotonous, passing through meadows and cornfields.
I couldn't find the car park by the fountain, described as the starting point for the walk, only a verge near a farm shed.

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Doloise
Doloise

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A pleasant and interesting hike at the beginning, but unattractive thereafter, between woods and flat, monotonous cornfields. We were attacked by seasonal insects, but we had been warned and were well equipped!

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durget stephane
durget stephane

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike with no difficulty or elevation gain, on a relatively shaded trail.

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serge loviton
serge loviton

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The hike can be shortened by starting directly from the forges. There are two options: take the white path on the right that goes around the forges or cross the site. We opted for the white path. The fitness trail is no longer of any interest, but the tour of the island is well worth it: quiet, clean, shaded... Return to the path, which is mostly stony. A pleasant walk through woods and fields. No tarmac! However, be aware that the walk takes place in the Ognon riverbed, so the ground may be muddy after heavy rain and should not be attempted in the event of flooding!

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Ghyslain
Ghyslain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike with varied terrain between plains and forests. Sunny and shady spots with a river and stream as a bonus. Although there is no significant elevation gain, this hike is well worth the detour!

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woper
woper

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant and very easy walk. Very varied terrain, including forges, fields, forests and paths. Swans, herons and other birds can be spotted along the way.

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verorev
verorev

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The short detour via the dam is interesting.
The only appeal of this hike is that there are no hills!

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malouchris
malouchris

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The first part is interesting: forges, tour of the island. The rest is less enjoyable for me—I like a bit of a challenge. We were also attacked by horseflies, which left us with a few souvenirs.

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cdob
cdob

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very easy hike, done on a hot day. Mostly in the shade, with lots of mosquitoes and horseflies in the wooded areas. The most interesting part of the walk is the first section with the Ognon river and the forges.

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cricri et mimi
cricri et mimi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely, easy walk. It's easy to walk past the car park without seeing it, just before the sign for "Les Forges Museum".

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, BREIZH 21.
I sent a private message to the author asking him to adjust the starting point and, in particular, the car park.

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