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Routelle walks
Circular route from Routelle to Velesmes via the Bois des Saussottes
This short, easy family walk will take you through the woods from the Vaugrenans valley to Velesmes, before returning via the outskirts of Benusse and its mill.
Circular route from the Saint-Vit ponds to the Moulin du Pré
A short, easy family circular route, following paths amongst the ponds of the former sand pits. You’ll reach the Moulin du Pré, a riverside rest stop and the base of the local rowing club, before returning via the cycle route along the river.
The Bois des Saussottes, the fountain as seen from Velesmes-Essarts
An easy walk apart from a short climb halfway along the route. Very gentle descent. Very easy to follow. A forest walk offering shade if it’s hot (except in the village). Surely very pleasant too when the autumn colours are at their best. Option to extend the walk to the point (3), on the Routelle side.
Around Torpes via the lodge and the Rans d’Archaux
Around Torpes via the lodge woods and the Rans d’Archaux, returning via the tarmac road.
Circular Bois d'Ambre starting from Saint-Vit
Explore the southern part of Saint-Vit, the Bois d’Ambre and its remarkable trees, the Rhône-Rhine Canal, the sand pits, the agricultural plain and the sports complex.
Circular path through the woods at Billet, Roset-Fluans
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.
Along the Doubs beneath the castles, starting from Boussières
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.
Circular walk around Boussières via the Pierre de Vorges and the Caillet mill
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.
Circular Boussières via Blâme and the Bois de la Taille
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.
Circular walk from Boussières to the Chouzelot monument via the Bois de la Taille
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.
Circular route from Boussières to Routelle
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.
Circular walk from Boussières to the Signal d’Abbans-Dessus and back via La Chandole
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.
From Boussières to Busy via the Pierre de Vorges
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.
Circular walk around Boussières via the Caillet Mill and Notre Dame du Mont
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.
The Pierre de Vorges and Ruisseau de la Chandole circular loop
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.
The Goulot Farm circular walk
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.
The old Thoraise, the Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint and the Canal Monsieur
Discover Thoraise, its narrow streets and ancient postern gates, its castle and the banks of the Doubs. Then climb up to the Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint overlooking the valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Montferrand, ending finally at the Thoraise breakthrough and the Monsieur canal.
Notre-Dame-du-Mont Chapel in Thoraise
Visit the Notre-Dame-du-Mont Chapel in Thoraise. Superb view of the Doubs and Montferrand Castle.
Boussières: Notre-Dame du Mont
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.
The Marquis' Castle
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.
Thoraise Plain Circular Route
A circular walk in the Thoraise plain, with no difficulty whatsoever. The first circular route takes you along the Doubs and past the military camp, then through the Monsieur Canal tunnel.
The second loop takes you upstream along the cycle route, followed by a visit to the picturesque site of La Pierre de Vorges, with a return route through the woods. You can also see the Convent of Bethany on the opposite bank and the site of the canal tunnel. There is also a fine view of the ruins of Montferrand Castle.
Around Dannemarie-sur-Crète
Hike in the forest around Dannemarie-sur-Crète
The Moulin Caillet Stream and Notre-Dame du Mont
Discover a secluded valley through which the Ruisseau du Moulin Caillet winds, before a steep climb towards the ridges overlooking the Doubs valley. The route alternates between forest tracks, wild paths and sections through sharp limestone pavements, offering magnificent panoramic views of Montferrand Castle and the Notre-Dame-du-Mont Chapel. A short detour also offers the chance to see a mysterious ancient underground passage carved beneath the cliff face. A varied and charming circular walk, suitable only for walkers with a sure footing for the sections along the cliff edge.
La Percée de Thoraise
Discover panoramic views of the Doubs valley, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont and, dominating the valley, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders. Then a picturesque steep path will take you down through a beautiful forest of slender trees to the Canal Monsieur dit la Percée de Thoraise, a 185-metre tunnel dating from 1810.
Circular loop around Dannemarie-sur-Crète
A lovely, easy walk around Dannemarie-sur-Crète. Beautiful views of the foothills of the Jura and the outskirts of Besançon. You’ll alternate between dirt tracks, forest paths and grassy trails.
The second part of the circular walk takes you through more rural landscapes, where you’ll discover an area created by schoolchildren (well worth a visit) and a disused wash house. You can therefore choose to do all or part of this walk, as you wish.
Circular walk around Villars-Saint-Georges via the Combe d’Arange
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 walk where you might (with a bit of luck) spot deer, foxes and a variety of birds.
Ferrières-Les-Bois, Berthelange, Cottier, Lantenne-Vertière, Ferrières
This is a short country walk in a wide open, peaceful setting where you can enjoy the sunshine if you feel the need.
Avoid after a period of rain, as the bottom of the valley tends to turn into a bayou.
The Grand Finale
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.
Abbans Castle
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.