Liesle walks

A lovely walk around Fourg, alternating between dirt tracks and forest paths. You’ll reach the site of the reconstructed old village in the forest, with huts erected for the traditional crafts festival. After crossing some meadows, you’ll reach the highest point of this route via a short, steep climb through the forest. The return journey takes you along lovely paths through a small valley on the outskirts of the village.

A short, easy family walk through woods and meadows around Fourg.

Third stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. From the Royal Saltworks in Arc-et-Senans to the Grande Saline in Salins-les-Bains, you will discover a unique sporting and cultural trail between the Doubs and Jura mountains, following in the footsteps of the great salt trade, with a stop in the village of Port-Lesney.

From the beautiful church in Paroy, passing in front of the wealthy residences of this small village, then crossing sunny meadows, you will climb to the viewpoint overlooking the lower Loue valley. Along a pretty sunken path, you will descend towards Ronchaux, another picturesque little village with its old farms, waterfall and former tuff quarry.

From the remains of the Old Bridge of Port-Lesney, you will climb up beautiful forest paths winding through box trees to the viewpoint overlooking the village topped by Mont Poupet. From this cool, mossy forest, you will emerge into the sunny vineyards, greeting the Saline d'Arc-et-Senans from afar, before returning, devoutly, to the Hermitage of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette perched on the cliff above the valley.

This easy walk begins with a crossing of a vast, open plain. It then follows a shaded path along the banks of the Loue, before returning up the hill via a shaded forest track.

Hike exclusively in the forest, on paths and trails with some beautiful ascents and descents. Views of the Doubs and Loue valleys.

A lovely little walk around Villars-Saint-Georges that will take you through meadows and woods, across a pretty valley, to the banks of the Doubs before heading back up into the large forest. A family-friendly walk where you might spot (with a bit of luck, at least) roe deer, foxes and a variety of birds. ⚠️ The route is close to the Gouffre du Creux de Pépé Regional Nature Reserve, where specific regulations apply. See the practical information.

Sixth stage from the Jura to Hauts-de-France via the Francigena: for this long stage, which features less elevation gain, you set off from La Chapelle-sur-Furieuse and, passing through forests, vineyards and meadows, you’ll reach Port-Lesney. From the Vieux-Pont in Port-Lesney, you’ll climb along beautiful forest paths winding through boxwood groves towards the Hermitage of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, perched on a sheer cliff overlooking the valley, before reaching the village of Arc-et-Senans and its Royal Saltworks, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans is a former salt production facility, built on the initiative of King Louis XV between 1775 and 1779. This is followed by a forest trail leading you to Le Signal (467 m), the highest point of this stage. You then descend along beautiful, fairly undulating forest paths, with occasional views across the vast neighbouring state-owned forest, towards the Doubs valley.

If you only have 1 to 1½ hours to let off steam, here is an idea for a short walk in Quingey/Cessey.

From Chapelle-sur-Furieuse, through forests, vineyards and meadows, you will reach the ruins of Vaulgrenant Castle and then return to your starting point along the Furieuse river via a long descent. You will pass through the small village of Onay, then the suburbs of Salins-les-Bains, via the Voie Verte, before reaching Marnoz and heading towards Château de Vaulgrenant. Enjoy beautiful views of Le Poupet and the forts of Salins-les-Bains.

This woodland walk offers three viewpoints over the lower Loue valley, the Jura mountains and Bartherans, nestled in wooded valleys overlooking the Lison valley.

Perched on its rocky outcrop, overlooking the Doubs valley, Abbans Castle likely replaced a Roman castrum. The oldest parts date from the 12th century. It was at the top of the keep that Claude Dorothée de Jouffroy d’Abbans set up his study and forge, where he built his steamboat. A short stroll through the countryside in this place steeped in history, taking in the cool Sentier du Ruisseau, the peaceful Grande Fin valley and the monument commemorating the long-forgotten rag-and-bone men of the 1870s.

On its rocky spur overlooking the Doubs valley, Abbans Castle was probably built on the site of a Roman castrum. The oldest parts date from the 12th century. It was at the top of the keep that Claude Dorothée de Jouffroy d'Abbans set up his study and forge, where he built his steamboat. Enjoy a short country walk in this historic setting along a pleasant ridge path, then through the Grande Fin valley, discovering the castle from different angles.

A lovely little walk along the River Loue, then through meadows and forests with a variety of tree species. A family walk with a section emerging from the forest offering a unique view of the village of Quingey.

Route through the forest and wide paths, connecting the two parts of the commune of Cessey via the Mont de Cessey ridge and the Loue river.

This hike, following in the footsteps of Marquis Claude François Dorothée de Jouffroy d'Abbans, naval architect and designer of the steamboat, will take you between the Loue and Doubs rivers, from oratories to churches, in the heart of our devout Comtois countryside, leaving you time to meditate on the twilight paths of our wooded mountains.

Forest trail to discover the Edgar Faure viewpoint over the Loue valley and its vine-covered hillsides, then return, devoutly, to the Hermitage of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette perched on the cliff face above the valley, ending with a short break at the Espace Vöhl with its views of Mont Poupet and the Jura mountains.

A walk through the forest along dirt tracks and forest paths.

An easy family walk through a communal woodland adjoining the great Chaux Forest. Narrow paths, wide avenues and dirt tracks make up this route. In some places, you’ll need a bit of a sense of direction, as the paths are barely visible. You’ll also get a good insight into the different stages of forest management.

A 30-minute climb will take you to the feudal castle of Vaulgrenant, where you can enjoy a 360° panorama. Then you will walk between valleys and woods, with ever-changing views of Mont Poupet. After Marnoz, you will discover a very pleasant path leading back to Pagnoz. It allows you to walk along the railway line without realising it (except at the beginning). A hike away from the beaten track and through varied landscapes.

A lovely little forest walk to the ruins of this medieval castle built in the 13th century, wiped off the map by the awful Louis XIV who, to punish us for our "Comtois, Rends-toi! Nenni, Ma foi!" ("Comtois, surrender! No way!"), dismantled all our medieval castles. At the top, there is a 360° view of the Chaux forest, the Val d'Amour, Mont de Pretin, the forts of Saint-André and Belin, and Mont Poupet. Return through beautifully rolling countryside, topped by Fort Saint-André in the distance.

This long hike will take you to the Goulot farm, offering superb panoramic views over the lower Doubs valley and the Chaux and Serre forests. There are also views of the first and second Doubs plateaus. The varied trail surfaces, short climbs and long descents will ensure a wide variety of experiences throughout the route.

A short family walk combining a tarmac road at the start, followed by long stretches through woodland before climbing up to the chapel to enjoy a magnificent view over the Doubs valley and Besançon.

This lovely walk will take you to Busy along pretty, undulating woodland paths to Vorges, after which the gradient reverses on the way to Busy. From there, the road surface changes. A very steep tarmac road will take you to the D083, where you’ll take a ridge path, then the Roman road and dirt tracks for the return journey. This route offers beautiful panoramic views of several spots in the Doubs Valley.

A lovely, easy family walk offering magnificent views over the Doubs valley as far as the Serre massif, as well as over the Loue valley, from the lower plateaus to Mont Poupet. Part of the return journey follows a small stream and the Boussières plain.

This walk, designed for road runners or joggers, follows only tarmac paths and a few country lanes. Through the woods, it will take you to La Piroulette, a hamlet of Torpes, then you’ll pass through Routelle, with a view of the spring in the centre of the village. You’ll then follow the cycle route for several kilometres along the canal before returning to Boussières via the plain.

From Boussières, you can reach the Pierre de Vorges via a forest path. Make your way to the Moulin Caillet by following this stream and crossing fields of wild garlic. In the middle of the pastures, head up the Essart du Loup and enjoy the view. Follow the Roman road and pass the Montgardot monument to reach the Chemin de la Grand-Fin d’Abbans-Dessus; then, heading down through the woods, you’ll reach the Ruisseau de la Chandole. Follow the stream and fords across it to return to Boussières via the plain.

A lovely, easy little walk that takes you to the Couvent de Béthanie and along the right bank of the Doubs on the towpath. Along the way, you’ll pass beneath the castles of Thoraise, Torpes and Boussières. Take the time to watch the birds on the Doubs. With a bit of luck, you may also spot coypu, beavers (and their gnaw marks on the trees) or chamois towards the end of the route.

A lovely little walk that will take you to the Source de Buy, below Busy. After following the stony path down to the Pierre de Vorges, you’ll come across this small, ever-flowing spring. After following the Ruisseau du Moulin Caillet and its meandering course, you’ll join the cycle route, then the strategic path which will take you up to the N-D du Mont viewpoint, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Besançon and its western outskirts, as well as the Doubs valley.

A lovely little walk around Boussières, through open countryside and woodland, and following a stream for a short while before fording it. A short, steep climb will take you to the top of the hill, then a long descent will bring you closer to the village, which you’ll reach via the fitness trail to arrive at the beautiful church and its porch, listed as Historic Monuments.

This circular walk starting from Boussières will take you to the Abbans-Dessus signpost as you head up the Ruisseau de la Chandole. After enjoying the views over the Loue and Doubs valleys, the return journey follows the Roman road and the descent via the Essart du Loup.

A short walk but featuring a fairly steep descent; take care if the ground is wet, as the pebbles strewn across the path can be slippery and may roll under your feet.After taking in the view over the Doubs valley from the chapel, you’ll follow part of the strategic path; then, after the long, steep descent, the climb back up to the Caillet mill follows the stream, amidst fields of wild garlic in spring.Rated as moderate due to the steep descent.

Walking along the riverbanks and past the beautiful rocks, you’ll see Thoraise Castle reflected in the calm waters, then the Monsieur Tunnel. You’ll climb up to Notre-Dame du Mont, a viewpoint overlooking the valley and its guardian, the Montferrand keep, before returning along a more rural route beside the stream.

From Virgin to Virgin, not forgetting the big bad wolves, you will discover a superb panorama of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of Montferrand Castle, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, commercial with the Percée de Thoraise. As you climb the Éssart du Loup, you can dream of those distant times when the simple, tranquil beauty of our Comtois landscapes could be disturbed by sinister encounters.

This short walk will take you through woods and meadows to the Chouzelot (or Mont Gardot) monument. After crossing the ridge, you’ll walk through a beautiful forest to return to your car park, passing vineyards and orchards along the way.

A forest and countryside walk, accompanied by the Montferrand keep and the Bisontin mountains, down the beautifully named Chemin de l'Essart du Loup, an old cart track, to discover the Monument de Vorges in memory of the long-forgotten poor biffins of 70, a gypsum factory and the small valley of Moulin Caillet lost between two mountains.

A stroll along the ridge separating the Loue Valley and that of the river Doubs and then along the banks of the Doubs with a panoramic view of the Château de Montferrand ruins.