Ascent to Ornans Castle

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A short, easy walk to stretch your legs after a visit to the Courbet Museum.
It is a shortcut variant of the "La roche des pins" route available in Visorando.

Details

n°1984543
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.43 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 151 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 151 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 479 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 328 m
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Description of the walk

(S/E) From the central square in Ornans, take the main road towards Besançon.

(1) Take the first road on the right to go up towards the Sagey Stadium (road sign). Go under a viaduct (Ornans ring road) and continue straight ahead to pass in front of the stadium (parking spaces), following the yellow and blue markings. Then go up the valley along a good wide path.

(2) When you reach a crossroads, take the hairpin bend to the left and continue to the castle.

(3) Walk around the castle, following Rue Saint-Georges to the left. Discover the small chapel and the viewpoint over Ornans before completing the circular route at the end of the street.

(3) Walk about 20 metres, then turn left onto the small street that descends, following the red and whiteGR® markings. Join a road slightly lower down.

(4) Follow it to the right and take the path on the left at the bend (red and white markings).

(5) Discover the Fontaine aux Vipères fountain, cross over and continue along the marked path that descends to the right towards Ornans. Follow Rue du Château downhill, pass under a bridge (Ornans ring road) to return to the village's central square (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 328 m - Place Gustave Courbet. Close to the - Loue (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 330 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.78 - alt. 457 m - Crossroads, on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.82 - alt. 462 m - Castle circular walk
  5. 4 : km 3.26 - alt. 445 m - Road junction
  6. 5 : km 3.49 - alt. 426 m - Fontaine aux Vipères
  7. S/E : km 4.43 - alt. 328 m - Place Gustave Courbet

Notes

Wide, comfortable path.

The section between points (2) and (3) is the steepest, with a stony path (not suitable for city shoes...).
Parking is available at the Sagey stadium.

Worth a visit

Discover the small chapel and the viewpoint over Ornans.
The medieval castle was destroyed on the orders of Louis XIV during the second conquest of Franche-Comté.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Iracis
Iracis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to report

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Marando
Marando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is not very busy on the first climb, but much busier at the end when you reach the castle site, which is not actually a castle as it has been destroyed! So don't get your hopes up, children.
The hike takes less time than indicated for an adult.
The sections between points 3 and 4 are rocky and steep, as are those between 4 and 5. The section between 2 and 3 is the flattest and easiest part of the hike.
Beautiful views, beautiful chapel, beautiful and easy hike!

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Choup
Choup

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in the woods, accompanied by a delightful stream. Definitely worth doing during a heatwave!

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BGW Family
BGW Family

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family walk with no particular difficulties. The route is mainly through woods, so it is shaded.
The view from the old castle is superb and the little chapel is pretty and perfectly maintained.
Perfect for getting back into shape after two months of lockdown!

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Pat25
Pat25

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, easy hike with lovely views. On the climb up to the castle, the route takes you through a difficult valley, but we continued to follow the markings until we reached the intersection that then indicated the direction of the castle. We also enjoyed the viper fountain.

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