Salins-les-Bains – Arbois

Fourth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. Right from the start of this stage, things get serious with a demanding route punctuated by steep ascents and descents in the limestone massif of Revermont. Then, through undergrowth, pastures and picturesque viewpoints, the second part of the route reveals itself to be full of charm and tranquillity, offering a perfect transition before reaching Montigny-les-Arsures, a superb wine-growing village where the vineyards come into view. A few more kilometres will take you to Arbois, the capital of Jura wines. Louis Pasteur had his family home here, which is still open to visitors. This colourful town is full of Jura wine tasting cellars and great places to eat for food lovers.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: L'Échappée Jurassienne

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.48 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,365 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,457 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,965 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 974 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
  • ⚐ City: Salins-les-Bains (39110)
  • ⚑
    Start: N 46.946823° / E 5.878944°
  • ⚑
    End: N 46.903682° / E 5.78669°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Salins-les-Bains.
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3325OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Red and white GR®59 markings and specific signs bearing the symbol "J"

(S) From the exit of the Salins-les-Bains campsite, turn left, then right to cross the Place du Souvenir Français. On Avenue Aristide Briand, cross carefully at the pedestrian crossing, then follow the signs for the town centre on the left. Continue to the technical services car park dominated by the Thermes de Salins-les-Bains.

(1) Turn right onto Rue des Barres, then follow the La Furieuse river until you reach the second bridge.

(2) At the signpost, cross this bridge and follow the signs for Fort St-André. Turn right after the bridge, then take the grassy path that is closed to all vehicles. Follow the steep climb until you reach the fork.

(3) Take the left path, which seems easier (but you have a choice!). Continue climbing until you reach the signpost on the Côte Saint-André.

(4) Turn right, then stay on the paved road which, after a left turn, runs alongside a park before arriving at the signpost at an intersection.

(5) Turn right to see or visit Fort Saint-André (10 min round trip).

(6) Leave the fort and retrace your steps back to the signpost.

(5) Continue straight ahead (south-west) down a wide stony path. Continue to the intersection with a forest path.

(7) (Here you can continue straight ahead, the slope is gentler!). Turn right and descend the path until you reach the forest path.

(8) Turn right (northeast) and continue downhill until you reach the Grange Salgret signpost. (Water troughs in the meadow at the edge of the path)

(9) Keep to the right, then at the first bend, at the signpost, take the path marked by a cattle grid on the left. Climb up across the meadow before entering the Côte Chaude woods.
Continue to the ridge and head west to the Allumelles paragliding site, which offers a 180° view of the Val de Marnoz and the imposing silhouette of Mont Poupet.

(10) Continue downhill along the edge of the woods until you reach a signpost at a crossroads. Note the signs inviting you to enter the woods for a glimpse of the monastery ruins (a pile of stones) and a chapel.

(11) Turn left (south) towards Pretin, walking along a meadow on your left. At the signpost indicating the Belvédère de la Croix Prétin on the right (which is easy to reach), continue straight ahead and start a steep descent to Rue du Château in the village of Pretin. Continue to the Church of Saint-Étienne.

(12) Turn right towards Ivory/Voie Celte. Continue along Rue de l'Église until you reach the town hall. Turn left and then right to continue along Rue du Bégon, marked by a fountain. After several sharp bends, you will arrive at a fork in the road.

(13) Turn left (west) and continue across the fields until you reach the Courtillat signpost.

(14) Leave Rue du Bégon and continue along the stony path that leads into the meadow. At the edge of Bois Perrey, turn right and cross the woods heading north-west. Continue until you reach the signpost for La Côte.

(15) Turn right onto the ridge path, then begin a steep descent along the base of Mont Begon. After several bends, you will arrive at a crossroads (elevation 423).

(16) Continue left (southwest) and follow the slight incline until you reach the signpost for Les Noirines.

(17) Turn right to arrive in front of the Hirondelles railway line. Turn left and follow this line on your right until you have to cross it carefully.

(18) On the other side of the railway line, continue left, heading south-west, alongside the Montigny les Arsures vineyard. After crossing the La Larine stream, you will come to a crossroads.

(19) Turn right/left and continue along Chemin des Concours to arrive in Montigny-les-Arsures at an antique shop: L'atelier du Triangle d'Or.

(20) Turn left onto Rue du Quartier Saint-Laurent, which climbs until you reach the Hirondelles railway line again.

(21) On the other side of the line, continue right, south/southwest on the Côte des Pervenches. Ignoring the small side branches, continue through the Bois Verdot until you reach the crossroads at 527.

(22) Turn right onto the forest path that descends and passes under the Hirondelles railway line. Continue to the signpost on the D107E1 in front of two agricultural sheds.

(23) Go around the sheds and continue right on the gravel road that heads west and arrives on the D107E.

(24) Continue on this road towards the south-west. Continue to the picnic area where you will find the Tourillon orientation table with a breathtaking view of the village of Arbois.

(25) Turn right onto the discreet path opposite and to the left of the access road to the orientation table. Cross the Winetier path and continue south on a zigzag path that descends through vineyards. You will arrive at Chemin des Tourillons in Arbois. Continue to the bridge over the Ruisseau Javel.

(26) Continue for a few metres and turn left onto the path marked by a transformer. Climb up to Rue de Larney, then continue left until you reach the marker and signpost.

(27) Keep left on the D107 towards Pupillin. Continue to the eastern end of the stadium.

(28) Turn left to pass the swimming pool and arrive at the entrance to the campsite in the heart of the vineyards (E), where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscape.

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 1,086 ft - Le Salins les Bains campsite
  2. 1 : mi 0.18 - alt. 1,093 ft - Technical services car park - Thermes de Salins-les-Bains
  3. 2 : mi 0.39 - alt. 1,093 ft - Bridge - Furieuse (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 0.55 - alt. 1,286 ft - Fourche
  5. 4 : mi 1.02 - alt. 1,778 ft - Signpost on the Côte Saint-André
  6. 5 : mi 1.2 - alt. 1,873 ft - Signpost at an intersection
  7. 6 : mi 1.48 - alt. 1,959 ft - Fort Saint-André (Salins-les-Bains)
  8. 7 : mi 1.99 - alt. 1,946 ft - Intersection with a forest trail
  9. 8 : mi 2.11 - alt. 1,824 ft - Signpost Grange Salgret
  10. 9 : mi 2.34 - alt. 1,644 ft - Signpost Grange Salgret
  11. 10 : mi 3.27 - alt. 1,923 ft - Allumelles jumping area
  12. 11 : mi 3.65 - alt. 1,683 ft - Signpost at the crossroads - Belvédère de la Croix de Pretin
  13. 12 : mi 4.21 - alt. 1,214 ft - Église Saint-Étienne (Pretin)
  14. 13 : mi 5.23 - alt. 1,775 ft - Fourche
  15. 14 : mi 5.36 - alt. 1,768 ft - Signpost at Courtillat
  16. 15 : mi 6.05 - alt. 1,759 ft - Signpost La Côte
  17. 16 : mi 6.89 - alt. 1,391 ft - Crossroads (elevation 423)
  18. 17 : mi 7.23 - alt. 1,450 ft - Signpost Les Noirines
  19. 18 : mi 8.54 - alt. 1,368 ft - Les Hirondelles railway line
  20. 19 : mi 8.94 - alt. 1,260 ft - Crossroads
  21. 20 : mi 9.23 - alt. 1,257 ft - Antique shop L'atelier du Triangle d'Or
  22. 21 : mi 9.49 - alt. 1,424 ft - Les Hirondelles railway line
  23. 22 : mi 10.33 - alt. 1,729 ft - Crossroads of five paths at elevation 527
  24. 23 : mi 11.07 - alt. 1,371 ft - Hangars along the D107E1
  25. 24 : mi 11.22 - alt. 1,316 ft - D107E
  26. 25 : mi 11.55 - alt. 1,237 ft - Tourillon orientation table
  27. 26 : mi 12.06 - alt. 974 ft - Bridge over the Javel stream
  28. 27 : mi 12.14 - alt. 1,004 ft - Beacon and signpost
  29. 28 : mi 12.37 - alt. 1,014 ft - Eastern end of the stadium - Château de Pécauld à Arbois
  30. E : mi 12.48 - alt. 1,014 ft - Campsite in the heart of the vineyards

Notes

Refreshments available in Salins-les-Bains (S) and Arbois (E)
Picnic table on the route
Bivouac: campsite in the heart of the vineyards. Tel: 0384523923 Info: https://au-coeur-des-vignes.com/
Possible accommodation
Gîte des Vignes. Tel: +33 (0)6 19 64 75 74 Information: https://arbois-gite.com/
Logis Hôtel des Messageries. Tel: +33 3 84 66 02 30
Hotel-restaurant Les Caudalie. Tel: +33 3 84 66 06 53
Hotel des Cépages. Tel: +33 3 84 66 40 45
Le Clos Alice. Tel: +33 3 84 66 12 99
If you would like to visit Arbois, here is a link to a route starting from the campsite: https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-arbo...

Hike completed by the author on 09/06/2025

Worth a visit

(6) Fort Saint-André
(10) Allumelles jumping area
Between (11) and (12) Belvédère de la Croix de Pretin
(27) Arbois, iconic town of the Jura

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The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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