Saint-Julien-lès-Russey walks

The Dessoubre valley, where many water mills once sang, has now regained its wild freshness. Starting from Saint-Julien-lès-Russey, you will descend towards the Ribeau and Château valleys and their jagged rocks along beautiful, cool, shaded paths to discover a rich and generous natural environment.

Start with a view of the Alps on a clear day, then the Belherbe plateau and the Lomont wind turbines. Visit Frambouhans Church to see a polychrome wooden statue of Saint Sebastian and a 16th-century Pietà. Cool off at the Grotte du Glaçon and finish with a visit to the strange circular Gallo-Roman drinking trough, the lavogne, which is unique in Franche-Comté.

From Bonnétage church, you will quickly climb up to the viewpoint on the plateau and, in the distance, the snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Alps. You will cross pastures lined with murgers, charming dry stone walls, and fir forests typical of the Haut-Doubs, walk along deep sinkholes, descend into the hollow of the peat bog and finally, from a rocky ridge, overlook the vast Etang du Moulin lake.

From the charming old church of Mont-de-Vougney, head down towards the Dessoubre, not forgetting to pay your respects to the old Saint-Claude in his stone niche. Once an industrial hub, today it has regained a wild and authentic freshness. As you follow the river, you will discover its cliffs, waterfalls and the Combe Foulot cirque. Then climb back up to the plateau through sunny pastures overlooking the valley.

After a magnificent view of the Dessoubre valley, you will discover the surprising Creux de Hauteroche gorge carved into the rocky cliffs to reach the viewpoint over Rosureux. Return through the fir forests and the surprising rock shelter of Sous la Goutte.

A short hike through the Grand Bois forest in the commune of Le Russey. Here you will see one of the largest fir trees and farms with the typical tuyé (or tué), a kind of large chimney for smoking meat.

Three highlights of this hike: the superb view from Le Chaufaud over the valley and mountains surrounding the Dessoubre; the Belvédère viewpoint over Rosureux nestled at the bottom of the valley and the surprising Creux de Hauteroche gorge; the return via the sunny meadows with a panoramic view of the neighbouring mountains, ending at the ancient 18th-century wooden cross at the Chapelle Saint-Claude chapel.

A short hike suitable for families. After a period of rain, there are beautiful small waterfalls, but some sections of the stream must be forded. Beautiful view of the Hermitage as well. In hot and humid weather, watch out for ticks.

Starting from the charming little village of Vaucluse, Val Clos, this hike offers superb views of the Dessoubre valley, starting with the Baron's viewpoint, then the Cul de Vau valley and finally Vaucluse and its former priory, not to mention the various balconies overlooking the valley that you will pass along the way.

This route will take you on a journey of discovery through the Dessoubre valley, where you will be enchanted by the landscapes and religious heritage. This route covers a large part of circular 43 and is marked in yellow and blue.

From the top of the Roche du Miroir, at the viewing point, you can admire the Dessoubre valley, which is overlooked in places by high cliffs, home to chamois and peregrine falcons then, along a charming path winding and weaving between superbly carved rocks, you will cross sunny meadows to reach the Montbéliardot arboretum and its sculptures. Return via La Vie au Loup, skirting the edge of the cliffs with a panoramic view of the entire plateau.

(!) Read Practical Information. A balanced route between countryside and forests to discover the Dessoubre from the heights of Bretonvillers. Then, returning to the valley via paths winding between fir trees and rocks, you will walk along the river, stopping at the old mill.

From Montalembert Castle, built by the Guyot de Malseigne family from 1574 onwards, you will climb to various viewpoints: the Notre-Dame des Anges Chapel at the top of the beautiful Saint-Simon hill; then the Roche de Ruan via paths lined with majestic fir trees, forming a guard of honour; the pastures of Mont Miroir and its concert of cowbells with its view of Lomont and the Saint-Hyppolite valley; and finally, the Mont Joie viewpoint overlooking the city and Saint-Pierre Church.

Starting from Maîche, pass through Les Bréseux to see, in particular, its Comtois-style church with magnificent modern stained glass windows, then on to Rochet du Bourbet, a viewpoint over the Dessoubre valley and picnic area. Return via the QuatreGrottes de Waroly, the Waroly waterfalls and the hamlet of La Lizerne. Several interesting viewpoints: Rochet du Bourbet, on the way down to the Château de l'Ermitage, then on the way back up to the hamlet of La Lizerne, among others.

A picnic area with tables overlooks the Dessoubre valley at an altitude of nearly 750 metres. Old farms dating back to the 1960s cling to the mountainside. A wild valley where, perhaps, our Comtois Gauls performed their druidic rituals in sacred clearings. A natural rock known as the Devil's Castle overlooks the Waroly waterfall. Finally, caves carved out over centuries.

This short circular route allows you to visit the small town of Maîche, located in the Pays Horloger (Watchmaking Country). This short walk allows you to see much of the town's heritage, such as the Church of Saint-Pierre, the Château du Désert and its park, and the Chapelle des Anges. The route also passes in front of the châteaux of Montalembert and Mérode, which are private properties. Finally, the hike ends with a botanical trail that winds its way through the Côteau Saint-Michel.

You will descend along the aptly named Pissoux, through a mossy valley. From the top of a wild and jagged promontory, then from the Roche du Miroir, to the more civilised viewpoint, you will discover the Dessoubre, overlooked by high cliffs, home to chamois and peregrine falcons. Along a charming path winding and weaving between superbly carved rocks, you will cross sunny meadows to reach the Montbéliardot botanical trail, running alongside an old pile of stone gathered from fields.

With its industrious past forgotten for almost a century, nature has reclaimed this bucolic and almost wild valley, where the few houses are hidden in the greenery, embarrassed to be there. You will walk along the river, passing an old mill, then climb through cool, deep fir forests to the Roche du Miroir, which overlooks the old priory.

A wild, 350-metre-deep valley, the Cirque de Consolation, framed by magnificent cliffs, is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. You can discover it from two viewpoints, Chauve Roche at the bottom of the valley and Sainte-Catherine downstream and the old seminary. After a visit to the old priory of Laval, you will climb back up to the plateau, along the aptly named Pissoux, through a superb wild and mossy valley.

There are no danger points on these ladders. This site, steeped in history, bears witness to the fear once inspired by these legendary places, the scene of many fatal accidents during the "bricotte" (smuggling) era, when the ladders were nothing more than tree trunks crossed by pieces of wood. Today, these comfortable family staircases, which you can climb safely, will allow you to discover the Doubs Gorges from a variety of viewpoints.

Beautiful views, a lovely setting and an unusual part of the hike, crossing the death ladders.

From Valoreille, a superb balcony overlooking the Dessoubre valley, you will descend towards the river through peaceful pastures with unobstructed views of the neighbouring mountains. Then, from the typical village of Vauclusotte and its covered wash house fountain, you will climb through beautiful forests to the Montaigu viewpoint, the Lomont wind turbines, the Montbéliard region and the Ballon d'Alsace, before finally cooling off at the Saint-Ligier fountain, dating from 1721 and topped by its bishop.

From the picturesque village of Bizot, with its farms, courthouse and 16th-century church, the route takes you up a superb steep ridge path to the ruins of Réaumont Castle. You return via the peat bogs, skirting piles of stones gathered from fields and the Étang des Belles Seignes lake.

A ridge walk in the combe, with several geological features to discover and a wide view over the town of Saint-Hippolyte and the Doubs valley.