Source de la Loue (Ouhans) walks

From the old village of Mouthier, you will climb to this major tourist attraction in Franche-Comté, one of the Doubs’ most significant natural sites: the Source de la Loue, as you make your way up through the Gorges de Nouailles. You’ll look down over its emerald-green waters, interspersed with rapids and waterfalls, as you climb a picturesque and challenging path, perhaps catching a glimpse along the way of the counterfeiters of yesteryear who used to strike fake coins in the shade of the caves, before returning via the cliff ridge and its viewpoints overlooking the valley.

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

This walk offers a superb exploration of the Nouailles Gorges and the source of the Loue. The descent to the source is particularly spectacular: wild, steep and punctuated by magnificent views over the gorges, it is the highlight of the route. The path runs at the foot of the cliffs and beneath rocks sculpted by the river. This descent, which can be tricky at times, is therefore only suitable for hikers with sure-footedness and requires great caution. After the Notre-Dame des Anges chapel, the route continues through pastures and woodland before returning to the ledges overlooking the gorges.

The Source de la Loue is one of the most famous springs in the Jura. Located near Pontarlier, the river emerges from the rock through this enormous cave and flows through deep gorges before reaching the plain. This walk, starting from the charming village of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre, begins with an ascent to the Moine de la Vallée viewpoint. The route then generally descends to the Source de la Loue, which offers a refreshing break. The paths that follow are narrow, particularly vertiginous and technical, but this is the most beautiful part of the walk. After this section, which ends at the Aiguillons de Brasse, the path is less dangerous and alternates between ascents and descents to the Roche de Hautepierre viewpoint. From there, you tackle the final descent towards the village.