Mouthier-Haute-Pierre walks

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.

Visit the picturesque village of Mouthier and hike along the Loue river in pleasant surroundings.

This short route, which starts off challenging with the climb up Petit Mont, offers a glimpse of the beauty of this valley so dear to Gustave Courbet: its high rocks glistening in the sun, its lost valleys with their gentle green curves, its cool, mossy gorges with deep caves, and the emerald and mysterious Loue river. And to conclude, this small village in the Comté region with its character and medieval statues.

Walk around Hautepierre-le-Châtelet, with access to the summit of La Roche, views of the Alps and the Loue Valley. You can also take the Sentier de la Roche trail and link up with the GR® trail in the Loue Valley. On a clear day, you can see Mont Blanc from the summit of La Roche d'Hautepierre. In Hautepierre, below the old town hall, you can enjoy refreshments on the terrace of a community café called "La Distillerie". The trail is marked in yellow

Formerly known as Roche du Soleil ( Sun Rock), because it is here that the sun, rising above the horizon, casts its first rays and bids its last farewell as it sets, it is through the pale or red hue with which it colours the rock that it predicts to the inhabitants whether the next day will bring serenity or tears from the sky. Discover two characterful towns in the Comté region and this royal viewpoint over the Loue valley, the Jura mountains and Mont Blanc.

Starting from one of the most beautiful villages in France, after a challenging climb, you will be rewarded by the cornices of the Rochers du Capucin, which offer what is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful views of the upper Loue valley with the Hautepierre rock. These will guide you along wooded and steep paths to the Moine de la Vallée and the sumptuous and wild gorges of Nouailles. The return journey, under the watchful gaze of the monk, takes you through blossoming orchards.

As you walk along this magnificent path overlooking the Loue, you will discover, from three vantage points, the wild splendour of the Gorges de Nouailles, the Moine de la Vallée overlooking Mouthier and its view of the most beautiful, highest and most superb rock, not only in the whole of Burgundy, but perhaps in the whole kingdom of France: the Roche de Hautepierre and finally, the Rochers du Capucin, a splendid wild viewpoint overlooking the upper and lower reaches of the valley.

A pleasant and refreshing short walk leading to the source of the Loue, with several viewpoints along the way.

The Rochers du Capucin cliff edge offers one of the most beautiful views of the upper Loue valley with the Roche de Hautepierre. It will guide you along wooded and steep paths to the Moine de la Vallée and the sumptuous and wild gorges of Nouailles.

Circuit between woods and meadows with a significant elevation gain between Athose and La Baraque. Presence of game, particularly chamois. It is best to follow the route in the suggested direction, i.e. anti-clockwise.You can start from any point, but the suggested starting point is the church in Athose.

You will descend towards this regional tourist hotspot, one of the Doubs' major natural sites: the Source de la Loue. You will overlook the sumptuous and wild Gorges de Nouailles from the side of the cliff, then climb up a steep path to the Aiguillon de Brasse viewpoint. Finally, you will return to Ouhans through peaceful meadows and bright pine forests, stopping for a few moments at the Notre-Dame des Anges chapel to thank the heavens for being a resident of Franche-Comté

From a steep rocky ledge, with numerous views over the Loue valley and Châteauvieux-les-Fossés, you will cross the beautiful, airy Tangelet forest, sharpening your sense of direction as you climb back up to the sunny plateau. You will visit the church of La Barêche, lost in the middle of the fields, and finish at the charming Sainte-Gertrude Chapel with its superb view of the valley.

Starting from Vuillafans Church, a lovely circular route passing through Echevannes, waterfalls and Montgesoye with beautiful views.

Walk through the vineyards and along the Loue, passing through Lods, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

From this small fortified village, located on the old salt road overlooking the valley, you will descend towards Vergetolle, a charming little valley of contrasting light and shade. Then, the landscape becomes wilder as you head towards the Source Bleue and discover, nestled at the end of the valley, the Tuffière waterfall, resembling the mouth of a giant forest creature, ready to devour you.

Set off to discover two small valleys of contrasting light and shade. Then, as the landscape becomes wilder, you will come to the Source Bleue and, nestled in the greenery, the Tuffière, resembling the mouth of a giant forest creature, ready to devour you, ending at the Cascade du Raffenot at the bottom of a typical valley of the Loue.

Departure from the car park of the old town hall of Nods, in the heart of the village, along the main street. The circular begins at the statue of the Virgin Mary. The path between Nods and the Virgin Mary is the same on the way there and back. When passing through the meadows, keep dogs on a leash and respect the peace and quiet of the animals.

From the church of Saint-Gengoult, patron saint of cuckolds, our ever-faithful Comtois Lady Nature will lead you along the beautifully named Chemin des Prés to the waterfall at the end of the Vau valley and its petrifying streams. On the way back, along the pleasant forest path overlooking the cornices, you can stop at the Thuyère viewpoint in Montgesoye and admire the Loue valley, from the Vuillafans mountains to Ornans.

From Saint-Gengoult Church and its ancient tombs, you will climb to two viewpoints over Montgesoye, Ornans and the Loue Valley, passing through a charming little remote area, and return via the wild Cornebouche valley.

From the church in Montgesoye and its ancient tombs, you will climb up to a steep rocky ledge offering numerous viewpoints over the Loue Valley. From Vuillafans, a small, characterful Comtois town with old houses leaning over the river, crowned by the jagged walls of its old castle, you will return along the riverbanks, accompanied by the beauty of the rocks that frame the emerald green river.

Climb Mont Pelé (1,045 m) through an open pine forest. At the summit, you will enjoy a 360° view. To the west, view Bugny and the Val des Usiers, the upper Jura mountain range. To the east, view of Crêt Monniot and, with a little luck, Mont Blanc will be visible on a clear day. To the north, above all, view of the magnificent upper Loue valley bordered by the cliffs of Moine de la Vallée and Roche de Hautepierre. Return via a superb rocky ridge with numerous viewpoints over the valley.

Hike around Vanclans from the church. This is a walk through woods and meadows. The first open section is between Vanclans and Etray. Take care when crossing the departmental road. The route then continues along a rocky ridge in the woods above Vanclans. The walk passes by the FFI monument in Vanclans with its Liberation cross before descending back to Vanclans.

Hike in the woods with a visit to the Peusse waterfalls in Ornans.

A lovely walk in the forest with beautiful views of the Loue valley from Ornans to Montgesoye from Roche Lahier and Roche Bottine.

An easy walk with little elevation gain, starting and ending on the road and otherwise through the woods. Viewpoint developed from the Château de Cicon. This is a walking trail, but it can also be done by mountain bike or on horseback (preferably in dry, hard terrain). The route is easy.

You will climb a picturesque path overlooking the Loue to the Roche Lahier viewpoint above the Upper Loue Valley. Then on to the vineyards of Loray and its remains of terraced crops, before descending through the fir forests of Onchaud to the Roche Bottine viewpoint on the cliffs of Ornans.

There is a short climb to the Roche Bottine, immortalised by Courbet in his painting "La Vallée de la Loue par temps d'orage" (The Loue Valley in Stormy Weather). Its unusual shape, reminiscent of an old boot standing on the edge of a precipice, gave it its name. This viewpoint offers a 180° panorama of Ornans, the Vierge de la Roche du Mont, and the upper and lower reaches of the Loue Valley. Along the way, you will discover the Roche Lahier viewpoint, a natural viewpoint overlooking the upper reaches of the Loue Valley towards Montgesoye.

The Loue Valley, an inexhaustible source of hiking opportunities, offers the rugged, wild charm of its rocks, ending more peacefully at the Saut du Chevalier waterfall in the cool Brême Valley, so often painted by Courbet.

Starting from the bell tower of the old medieval priory, you will cross the cool Brême valley so often painted by Courbet. Then you will climb through a beautiful fir forest sheltered by stunning rocks, passing large boulders detached from the cliffs, towards the Grand viewpoint overlooking the upper Loue valley, Ornans and the Val de Scey. Continuing towards the Fontaine aux Vipères and then the castle overlooking the town, you will descend into the valley via a picturesque mule track.

Starting from the bell tower of the old medieval priory, you will cross the cool Brême valley, so often painted by Courbet. You will climb up to the Saut du Chevalier viewpoint to reach the Vierge de la Roche du Mont, continuing along the cornices towards the Roche des Pins and its views over the Loue valley. You will climb up to the Septfontaine plateau and its views of the Jura mountains, before finally descending towards the Brême via a picturesque mule track.

Starting from the bell tower of the former medieval priory, you will cross the cool Brème valley, so often painted by Courbet. Then, climbing back up to the Saut du Chevalier viewpoint, you will descend into the valley via a picturesque mule track.

It is difficult to walk through our Loue valley without mentioning Gustave Courbet, who made this stream famous with his painting The Deer Slaughter at the Plaisir Fontaine Stream. He is also said to have painted his Self-Portrait with Black Dog here. Once again, you will follow in his footsteps to climb the Rocher du Tourbillon for superb views of the steep-sided Brême valley and finally return via the Ancien Prieuré de Bonnevaux, of which only the 12th-century bell tower remains.