Mouthier-Haute-Pierre, lookout points, Source de la Loue (spring), Rocher de Hautepierre (rock)

The Loue Spring (tributary of the Doubs) is a resurgence of the Doubs. After journeying underground, it comes out into the open air at the bottom of a 'reculée' (steephead valley), at the foot of the rock face. It has cut deep into the limestone of the Jura massif, creating an enclosed valley, which I invite you to gaze at and contemplate from the many lookout points. You will also go down to the bottom of the gorge to discover this impressive resurgence.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 23.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 9h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,115 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,109 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 881 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 378 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) From the Mouthier Haute-Pierre church car park, head towards the south in the direction of the river which you cross a few minutes later. Let yourself be guided by the waymarkers for the GR590 which climbs the side of the valley in a south-west direction. After 1 km, turn left (direction south-south-east) (the places area called "Sausset" and "la Craie").

(1) 1.8 km after the turning, you will arrive on the plateau. Leave the GR590, keep going straight on and then take the good path on the left which you then leave almost straight away in order to take the path called the "liaison" ('link path'). This heads off to the left and then follows along the edge of the plateau.

You will then arrive at the 'Belvédère de Rénédale' (Rénédale Lookout Point) (2), situated not far from the village.
After the lookout point, continue on by following the edge of the valley for about 2.3 km. At the place where it joins a small road, which goes downhill towards the village of Ouhans, the path suddenly turns to the left (3) and goes down the side of the valley. When you get to the bottom of the steephead valley, it turns to the left, goes past the car park and takes you directly to the Source de la Loue (Loue Spring) (4).

Once you have admired this site steeped in mystery, retrace your steps (for about 600 m) and a bit before the car park, turn left onto a path climbing upwards (5). Follow this path for 200 m before turning left. The path continues to climb the side of the valley (for about 650 m) and ends up on a good path (at the place called "Le Chanois"). This 800 m path (going through the place called "Pré Rouge") then ends up on the D67 road (6). Turn left onto the latter.

Follow this road for 200 m before you find a path on the left (7) which enables you to cut out a large bend. You will re-join the road at a small car park. Join the road again (to the left for 120 m only), and then quickly leave it and take the path heading off on the right which takes you to the lookout point located at the far end of the "Côte Verse" (8). From this viewpoint, you will discover the valley from another angle.

You then head to the north-east, following a quite linear path. After a good kilometre, turn left (leaving the waymarking path) (9). The path which you now follow goes downhill towards the bottom of a small valley. It goes past the 'Vierge des Vouilles'. A few metres lower down (150 m), at an intersection, you turn 90° to the left (towards the west). You will soon find a waymarked path (GR595) (10). Turn right onto this path. It climbs back up towards the north and if you follow it properly it will take you to Hautepierre-le-Châtelet (2.6 km to the church).
This route goes through the forest (at the place called "Sur la Baume"), a pretty valley, the forest again, and then follows along the edge before ending up in the Châtelet meadow.
You absolutely must go to the Haute-Pierre Rock where you will have an absolutely superb view of the region. Allow for 700 m of climbing (from the cemetery) to get there (11).

Retrace your steps back to the D244 road. Follow this road to the right for around 200 m and then turn left onto a path going downhill (12), more or less parallel to the road. It goes under a high voltage electricity line and then, shortly after, cuts across the next small road.

A bit lower down, at "Combe d'Éteing", you will reach a crossroads in the paths. Take the path on the left, heading due south (13) and follow it for 800 m until you re-join the country road. Cross over this road again and continue going downhill on the path which carries on. This path will take you back to the departure point (just under 1 kilometre from the road) (E).
Happy hiking!

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 434 m - Mouthier Haute-Pierre church car park
  2. 1 : km 3.59 - alt. 742 m - The set
  3. 2 : km 5 - alt. 735 m - Rénédale lookout
  4. 3 : km 7.31 - alt. 692 m - Road-trail junction
  5. 4 : km 7.99 - alt. 580 m - Car park
  6. 5 : km 8.59 - alt. 534 m - Source of the - Loue (rivière)
  7. 6 : km 11.02 - alt. 651 m - D67
  8. 7 : km 11.8 - alt. 601 m - Car park
  9. 8 : km 13.06 - alt. 687 m - Côte Verse viewpoint
  10. 9 : km 14.2 - alt. 718 m - Carrefour in the spotlight
  11. 10 : km 15.24 - alt. 614 m - GR595
  12. 11 : km 18.07 - alt. 805 m - D244
  13. 12 : km 18.88 - alt. 868 m - Hautepierre Rock
  14. 13 : km 21.48 - alt. 610 m - 4-way crossroads
  15. S/E : km 23.2 - alt. 431 m - Mouthier Haute-Pierre church car park

Practical information

Walking shoes are recommended, as well as a supply of water.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during 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 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
loict31
loict31
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This is a great, varied route, with beautiful views of the Loue canyon and Mt-Blanc from La Roche.
And if you keep your eyes open, you may be lucky enough to spot chamois and/or peregrine falcons.
Be careful, the left bank of the Loue is often off-limits (either because of resurgences following heavy rain or by municipal by-law because of the risk of falling trees).

I didn't do the circuit from the source of the Loue, preferring to join the road from the right bank of the Loue, which is very pleasant (in the heart of the gorges) if the weather conditions are favourable.

Time taken with breaks: 9am-3.30pm, i.e. 6.5 hours (-1 hour break, i.e. about 5.5 hours' walking).

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barou jy
barou jy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We didn't do the whole circuit. I adapted it to cover 18 kms and about 700 m of ascent.
I usually rework the circuit with Open Runner.
Bonne soirée
JY Barou
groupe les baroudeurs

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midolila
midolila

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent hike; breathtaking views.... with pretty field flowers to complete the picture. The climb is not very difficult, but rather gradual; I highly recommend it.

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SERGE70
SERGE70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

As a native of France I am very familiar with all the walks in the Loue valley, these are magnificent landscapes and it is impossible to think of our great painter GUSTAVE COURBET.

And I'm not forgetting all the nice little inns, stop off at the restaurant "l'auberge du moine", you won't be disappointed (good value),

Bonne rando à TOUS

Yours sincerely

Serge

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Métaphore
Métaphore

Hello,
First of all, thank you for your comment.
Indeed, the length of the journey seems very exaggerated.
Best regards.

Metaphor

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priamus
priamus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 31, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant route, very well documented and little frequented (numerous chamois, etc.).
Just a comment about the stated duration of the hike (9.30 hrs), but I did it in 6.30 hrs, including the lunch break, so I think there may have been a small typo there.
Thanks again,
Denis

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eliot fohr
eliot fohr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Super hike! Magnificent views and clear, precise directions; even in the rain it's well worth the effort!

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Randotouristique25
Randotouristique25

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : N/A

Last year we did the MOUTHIER - HAUTEPIERRE LE CHATELET route (125 participants).
- This time, I'm planning to take them up the other side of the MOUTHIER - LE MOINE - and back via RENEDALE - La source de Loue - a route of about 10 km.
- Despite our insurance, I don't expect any "losses" (just kidding).

---PS: we've just come back from a walk in the cold (-7°) and windy conditions - another 120 walkers.

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Claude L2.
Claude L2.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely route, very well signposted.
I set off early (leaving the church at 6.45am) because of the forecast heat. The good thing is that I saw chamois 6 times, including a group of 4: often curious before running off. Very nice to see.
The route after point 3 is no longer good: the waymarked path zigzags a bit before reaching the car park.
I took a few liberties with the proposed route, which I think are improvements:
From point 1 I branched off to the Belvédère du Moine (+1.5km): lovely view over the north of the valley.
At point 4 I didn't return to the car park, but took the GR 595 Variant from the "Courbet viewpoint": very pleasant path, mostly at the foot of rocky peaks with a few viewpoints over the Loue valley below.
At point 11 I didn't retrace my steps, but continued along the signposted path at the top of the rocks, which offers some very fine views of the rocks themselves as you start to descend. Then it forks to the left, and you have to take a bit of tarmac (~1km) before finding the yellow/blue marked path again.

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BrunoBesac
BrunoBesac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thank you for this beautiful route!
The effort required for the long climb from Lods to Longeville and the balcony overlooking the valley is well worth it: magnificent views, splendid crossing of the plateau... A must do!

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SAILLARD
SAILLARD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 12, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

For experienced hikers, given the altitude difference

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eragorn
eragorn

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 23, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

As soon as you arrive by car at the starting point, you will discover the architecture typical of the villages in the region. The route is very well signposted. The views from the lookouts and the discovery of the source of the Loue are not to be missed.
At the end of the walk, we took advantage of the sunny afternoon to visit the village. You can even have a drink in a local brasserie, "L'entre deux mondes". The owner is very friendly, so it was a pleasant end to the walk.

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