Val de Cusance

This is the best way to discover the picturesque landscapes of the peaceful Cusancin valley. Take in the view of the village of Val de Cusance from the belvedere on the outskirts of Montivernage. We recommend returning via the chapel and the springs to discover the deep blue of the Source Bleue. It's just a short detour to ring the bell at the Saint-Ermenfroi Chapel.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.59 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 361 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 355 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 494 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 304 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Cusance (25110)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.32357° / E 6.42388°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3423ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park along the church in Cusance at the village exit towards Le Val (be careful not to block access to the cemetery).

(S/E) From the car park at Cusance church, follow the small sign for Montivernage. Walk a few steps along the road through the village and take the path on the left after the electricity pole. Cross the bridge over the Cusancin.

(1) After the small bridge, turn right and walk along the fish farm. Go up the hill and follow the signs to a large stone house. You will see a small statue of the Virgin Mary in a niche. You are now in Montivernage.

(2) Enter the village towards Mont Noirot and take the first left. Continue along the path until you reach two huts. At the huts, continue straight ahead and follow the signs to the left to enter the pasture. Go through the chicane and walk along the woods.

(3) Pass another chicane and enter the forest. Follow the path. On the left, leave the path to enjoy a view of the valley.

(4) Return to the path. Cross a karst site recognisable by its unusually shaped rocks. Continue along the path and descend to the Lanans road (D21). When you leave the woods, turn right and continue along this road for 250 metres.

(5) Turn left, follow the signs for Mont Noirot and follow the tarmac road.

(6) At Mont Noirot, after the farm, turn left. Follow the signs for Mont Millot until you reach the road. Cross the road to rejoin the path opposite.

(7) Further on, at the intersection of a road, turn left towards Mont Millot. In the hamlet of Mont Millot, turn right then left until you reach a Y-junction.

(8) Follow the road to the left and after the bend, take the path on the left. Follow this path downhill until you reach a path that climbs up to the Chapel of Saint-Ermenfroi.

(9) Take the hairpin bend to the right to climb up to the chapel. From the chapel, you can enjoy another view of the valley.

(10) Retrace your steps.

(9) Continue to the right to reach the village, cross the small bridge, turn right and pass in front of the Auberge des Trois Ponts.

(11) At the signpost, turn left to discover the Source du Cusancin.

(12) From the Source du Cusancin, retrace your steps.

(11) Cross the main road, then immediately turn right, passing in front of the town hall, and follow the signs to the Source Bleue (opposite).

(13) Retrace your steps, turn right and walk past the La Source Bleue restaurant. Continue along the road (about 700 m) to return to the church in Cusance (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 307 m - Car park - Église Saint-Léger (Cusance)
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 305 m - Bridge over the - Cusancin (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.82 - alt. 468 m - Arrival in the village of Montivernage
  4. 3 : km 2.37 - alt. 494 m - Belvedere trail
  5. 4 : km 2.92 - alt. 469 m - Viewpoint over the valley
  6. 5 : km 4.31 - alt. 390 m - Intersection with the D21E1
  7. 6 : km 5.04 - alt. 440 m - Fork in the road after the farm
  8. 7 : km 7.21 - alt. 414 m - Fork in the road
  9. 8 : km 8.94 - alt. 433 m - Y-junction
  10. 9 : km 9.48 - alt. 329 m - Turn-off towards the chapel
  11. 10 : km 9.7 - alt. 327 m - Chapelle de Saint-Ermenfroi (Cusance)
  12. 11 : km 10.21 - alt. 311 m - Signpost (the two springs)
  13. 12 : km 10.48 - alt. 317 m - Source of the Cusancin
  14. 13 : km 11.14 - alt. 323 m - Source Bleue
  15. S/E : km 12.58 - alt. 307 m - Car park - Église Saint-Léger (Cusance)

Notes

Route described by USB Montagne and the Baume-les-Dames Tourist Office.

Find this hike in the booklet "Hiking in Baume-les-Dames" available free of charge at the Office du Doubs Baumois, Place de la République in Baume-les-Dames.

Worth a visit

(13) Visit to the Source Bleue.
(12) Visit to the Source du Cusancin.
(10) Visit to the Saint-Ermenfroi Chapel.
Visit to the valley's fish farm in Cusance during the summer (more information on +33 (0)3 81 84 27 98).
Visit to the Comté cheese dairy in Passavant (5 minutes from Cusance).

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
bourdenetpierrot
bourdenetpierrot

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike
The autumn colours are superb and the walk is lovely.

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bourdenetpierrot
bourdenetpierrot

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike
I confirm that at the start, take the road downhill to rejoin the route at point 1 to avoid a muddy path
Point 8: a beautiful little open hunting cabin (for a snack if you like), please respect the premises and leave the environment clean
On the way back, at point 13, avoid the road and go down the small path opposite along the stream to see the ruins of the old sawmill at Le Moulinot

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serrand.alain@sfr.fr
serrand.alain@sfr.fr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, a bit too much in the woods but that's fine when it's really hot
Lookout point, springs... Nice to see.

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Baritrepler
Baritrepler

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Quite a long hike, mostly through forest with no views. Here too, the path is partly damaged after rain and forestry work. Beautiful chapel and some views of the Cusance valley.

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denisjean
denisjean

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. To avoid walking 1.5 km on tarmac, it is better to return via the St Erminfroid cross and arrive directly at the starting point.

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icone76
icone76

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike in warm weather as it is often in the woods. I did it in 3½ hours without pushing myself too hard and enjoying the scenery.
The route isn't difficult, but you do need to be reasonably fit as there are a few steep climbs.

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patrick guignot
patrick guignot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, best done in hot weather.
Most of the route is in the shade.
The only downside is that the end of the route is on the road.
An easy hike, even for beginners.

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Socié Claude
Socié Claude

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A slightly chilly day, so very few hikers; beautiful scenery with the late rays of the sun and nature in its autumn colours.

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