Heritage and panoramic views between Pagnoz and Marnoz

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.

Details

n°3096784

Creation:
21 Mar 2020

Last update:
06 Aug 2024

Last review:
20 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.61 km
Average duration: 3h 05
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 221 m
Descent: - 221 m
Highest point: 462 m
Lowest point: 290 m

Country: France
Area: Jura mountains
District: Pagnoz (39330)
Start/End: N 46.970291° / E 5.818107°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3324ET, 3325OT
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Photos

Panorama of the ruins of Vaulgrenant Castle

Description of the walk

Park at the side of the D472 in front of the town hall.

(S/E) With your back to the town hall, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and go up Rue de Vaulgrenant opposite, following the signs for the Château de Vaulgrenant, then take Chemin de Plenessu, which climbs up to your left into the forest. Follow the^GR® signs with a 165 m elevation gain between the town hall and the castle.

(1) At the fork, leave the^{GR® trail} that goes towards Port Lesney and turn right twice to reach the castle ruins. Renovation work is well underway, with various information panels in place. Then turn around and head right towards the hamlet of Vaulgrenant.

(2) Cross the hamlet and, a little further on, at the fork, turn left and walk for about 400 m.

(3) As you approach an isolated farm, the marked path branches off to the right. Follow it. Further on, it will turn left

(4) The signposting was removed at this point in 2020. Follow the mountain bike signposts towards the south-southeast and you will arrive at the road (D472). It appears that in 2024 the signposting will be restored (and the IGN map is out of date!) and can be followed.

(5) Cross with caution (no protected crossing) and first turn right then left to take the road that leads to the centre of Marnoz. Before reaching the D105, turn right onto Rue de la Fontaine, then left onto Rue des Bourgeons, which continues along a path. Read the information signs as you go.

(6) At the crossroads in the countryside, turn right and continue to the railway line.

(7) Do not go under the railway line, but take the path on the right that runs parallel to it.

(8) Continue along the very pleasant path which climbs and moves away from the railway line. It passes through the woods and after 600 m, turns sharply to the right. When you reach a small road, turn right to join the D472 in Pagnoz.

(9) Cross the road with caution, then turn left and follow the pavement. Pass the wash house on your left, then the chapel on your right, and you will reach the town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 290 m - Town hall
1 : km 1.4 - alt. 422 m - Crossroads at the top of the hill
2 : km 2.09 - alt. 429 m - Hamlet of Vaulgrenant
3 : km 2.51 - alt. 431 m - Isolated farmhouse nearby
4 : km 3.66 - alt. 433 m - Fork
5 : km 4.45 - alt. 327 m - D472
6 : km 5.91 - alt. 342 m - Crossroads
7 : km 6.4 - alt. 338 m - Railway line, path on the right
8 : km 7.07 - alt. 332 m - Forest trail
9 : km 8.33 - alt. 298 m - D472
S/E : km 8.61 - alt. 290 m - Town hall

Notes

The hike is not difficult, but there is a climb to reach the castle ruins. Orientation is tricky after (3) (easier with GPS) if, like me, you choose not to follow the signposts. You can follow them if you want the security of a well-marked path.

Afterwards, there may be cows in the field (after crossing the gate) depending on the season.

The castle platform is a very pleasant spot for a picnic if you start your hike late.
There is a picnic table in the hamlet of Vaulgrenant, but not in the countryside.
Afterwards (5), you can take a detour via the Pont de Breux (be careful, the field is sometimes flooded after the bridge) - St Michel le Bas - Saint Michel le Haut, with its church and cyclopean wall.

Worth a visit

In Pagnoz: fountain near the town hall. Chapel with a 16th-century altarpiece and a wash house from 1862 at the end of the hike.
Ruins of Vaulgrenant
Village of Marnoz with 13 information panels. See website.
Saint-Michel-le-Haut near the centre of Marnoz: cyclopean wall on the way down from the church and at the edge of the castle grounds (west side).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 23 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4.7 / 5

Begoniaenfleurs

20 Oct 2025 at 15:51 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy, interesting hike with beautiful views from the castle and lovely autumn colours. Follow the description rather than the markings, which are sometimes missing. Walking sticks recommended.

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th.reynaud

23 Jun 2025 at 18:47 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, the parts in the woods are very pleasant in this hot weather.
Be careful when crossing the road before arriving at Marnoz; the traffic island on the left can be useful...
Best regards
Thierry

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Ghyslain

19 May 2025 at 16:09 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views.
A nice climb right from the start to reach the ruins of Vaulgrenant Castle.
Don't hesitate to give it a go!

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croc-trotteuse

24 Mar 2025 at 08:33 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, very pretty castle ruins with stunning views! A variety of paths, no difficulty. Walking sticks are recommended, however, and good shoes are also advised.

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carinec21

04 Dec 2024 at 20:22 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The castle ruins are beautiful, well done to everyone working on the site. The view is lovely too.
However, I would not recommend this hike on Wednesdays during hunting season. I came across a hunt between points 2 and 3 and, for safety reasons, I decided to turn back with my dog.

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Frênescence

06 Aug 2024 at 17:10 7200

Thank you, piccolopripri, for your reply. However, I am not Sylvie, but Frênescence . It's great that you modified the route a little (it will help future visitors .

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piccolopripri

05 Aug 2024 at 21:31 7200 • Edited: 05 Aug 2024 at 21:37 7200

Thanks Sylvie for your feedback. ROUTE CHANGED THIS EVENING.
Several people preferred to follow the signposting at point 3 rather than continuing straight ahead and venturing further into a field where cows may be grazing

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Frênescence

05 Aug 2024 at 17:28 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike. We had the opportunity to access the "cave" at the castle ruins
(shown to us by one of the workers on the community project) .
We had a picnic in the shade near the isolated farm at point No. 3.
We walked a little way through the meadow but did not cross the pasture. Using
the path on the right towards Marnoz, a pleasant trail through the woods (which certainly adds
a little but is well marked), it joins point No. 5.
We finished with a short break in the shade at the Pagnoz wash house.

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Sylvie Duboz

29 Jul 2024 at 15:53 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with beautiful views and a stop at Vaulgrenant Castle

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Ngor

08 Apr 2024 at 12:13 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very clear explanations, easy to find. Updated and recent signposting. Superb 360-degree view. Very interesting castle ruins

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gazelle25

04 Mar 2024 at 12:51 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very pleasant route, shaded, very little traffic apart from the villages. And beautiful castle ruins to explore. Would definitely do again

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Daniel Janine

26 Oct 2023 at 17:37 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route, but definitely more difficult in rainy weather (muddy ground)

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pchollet

20 Feb 2023 at 09:08 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signage has been redone, so there are no major problems, except in the forest before point 4. Be sure to turn right just before descending onto the D472.

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Socié Claude

06 Feb 2023 at 08:50 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

one of the first hikes of the year to get back into shape: fairly clear skies, enough sunshine to make the hike enjoyable, and no one else on the trail: beautiful view from the castle ruins (no foliage); an easy hike.

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guicheton

14 Jan 2023 at 20:28 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A minor issue with the path through the field, but otherwise a lovely walk.

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