Valay walks

Welcome to Valay, a pretty village in Haute-Saône, surrounded by countryside and forests.Set off to explore its peaceful setting, typical of rural villages in the region, thanks to the "Entre Forges et Forêts" trail and its three loops:- The Tacot loop to the east of the village will take you close to the fortified castle, then into the forest, following the old railway line for 7 km.- You can extend your walk with the Sainte-Cécile loop, which will take you 6 km to the ruins of an old abbey and the commune of La Résie-Saint-Martin.- Finally, the La Fresse loop will take you to discover the village's iconic sites, while crossing a wooded section on a 4.8 km route.

An easy walk around the village of Crésancey, leading along the Tenise and then through valleys and woods, to discover the churches and wash houses of Noiron, Arsans and then Champtonnay, before returning to Crésancey through the fields. The villages you pass through are surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes such as beech woods, green hills, farmland and winding rivers.

A short walk through woods and pastures around the village of Sornay.

Hike in the Pesmes forges and along the Ognon river.

Pesmes, one of the most beautiful villages in the Franche-Comté region, reveals its secrets. A watchful sentinel on the banks of the Ognon, Pesmes enjoyed an important strategic position, as evidenced by the imposing mass of the castle and the surrounding wall.

Perched in the heart of the Ognon Valley, Pesmes is a real gem of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and is listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Take the "du martin-pêcheur aux remparts" loop trail and let yourself be charmed by the harmony between the remarkable architectural heritage and the natural setting. Narrow streets wind their way between elegant Renaissance houses and imposing medieval fortifications. Following the Ognon river, the trail will take you to the Forges site, a former industrial complex. Here you will discover the combination of water, wood, ore and human labour.

Pesmes is a French commune located in the Haute-Saône department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.The commune holds the ‘Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté’ and ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ labels.

Hikers taking their time as they pass through the small village of Ougney will find their gaze drawn for a few seconds to an old, massive, cylindrical tower. During this hike, we will walk from Ougney to Saligney, then head towards Gendrey and Taxenne before returning to Ougney. The rolling, green countryside will give you a glimpse of part of the northern Jura (39).

The Colombine river has its source in Charcenne at the foot of the Leffond Chapel. Charcenne is a land of cheese and wine. A cheese dairy and nurseries provide many jobs in the area.

Remains of Gallo-Roman buildings have been found in Marnay. However, the commune was not mentioned until 1210. A gate and some remains of the old surrounding walls are still visible. A few elements of the feudal castle also remain, including the drawbridge and two turrets. The old town also has many houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The current town hall dates from the Renaissance.The castle overlooking the Ognon valley was rebuilt in the 16th century but has been extensively remodelled since then.Finally, the Gothic church dates from the 14th and 17th centuries. The 20-hectare lake is home to many animal and plant species.

Hike starting from Marnay on the Voie Verte (old railway line) towards Brussey (eco-museum) and returning to Marnay via Combe Gaudin.

A short, easy hike that will take you to Cordiron Castle with a beautiful view of Marnay and the Ognon Valley.

A hike to discover Gray, its surroundings and the Saône river via paths accessible on foot and by bike (except for a staircase at the end of the route, which can be easily bypassed). Also accessible by hybrid or mountain bike, except for the staircase at the end of the route, which can be easily bypassed via the adjacent streets.

Starting from the Maison de la Nature, located on the banks of the Ognon in a former mill, this walk leads to the woods of Brussey, then offers beautiful panoramic views of the Château de Ruffey and the Ognon.

A hike with no technical difficulties or elevation changes, along roads, paths and trails between the Apremont woods, the Mantoche woods and the right bank of the Saône, passing through:- Essertenne and its church with its external bells,- the old forges of Echalonge and its pond,- Mantoche,- the Saône, the blue route, stroll along the river,- the chalets of Grand Gué and Maison Rouge.Note: parts of the route are exposed to the sun, so take precautions in hot weather.

An easy route through the countryside. Peaceful, wide open, gently rolling landscapes. Woods and fields. Two beautiful fountains and a fortified castle, one of the last in Franche-Comté to still have a standing keep.

During this hike, we will pass through Montmirey-le-Château, then walk through the grounds of Montmirey-la-Ville Castle before climbing Mont Guerin, which offers a magnificent view from the oratory. We will then descend to Frasne-la-Meulières, with its church, cross-shaped crosses and wash house. Once again, we will pass through Montmirey-la-Ville with its wash house, chapel, church and the ruins of its medieval castle.

A short, easy half-day walk through woodland and along a tarmac road (very little traffic).

Circular route starting from Pointre, to see castles, an archaeological site, woods, water... passing through Frasne-les-Meulières and the two Montmireys.A very varied route, combining the discovery of nature and interesting historical sites to visit, with a charming section through wooded hills, returning via winding paths through the forest.

This circular will allow you to see the incredible Grotte de l'Ermitage, the Boyon Cross and other cross-shaped crosses, as well as Moissey's heritage, its castle, fountain and church. You will also have a long walk through the Bois de La Serre. In this wood, part of the path is not maintained and you will probably, like me, have to go around a few trees that have fallen during storms.

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.