Vaucluse (Doubs) walks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(!) 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 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 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 Rosières, the gateway between the Pays de Montbéliard and the Pays Horloger, you will descend towards the steep-sided Barbèche valley to reach the former Champ du Moulin inn, which has been converted into a pottery workshop. Then, climbing back up towards Péseux, you will enjoy wide open spaces as you discover the Lomont valley and its villages, then Montchevriez with its 180° panorama.

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.

Discover a peat bog, beautiful coniferous forests, a cave and a lavogne. Lovely views of the Haut-Doubs with its Montbéliard cattle and beautiful Comtois dogs.

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.

Jeanne-Antide Thouret, born in Sancey on 27 November 1765, was a determined and committed woman who devoted her life to the most disadvantaged, notably by founding a charity in Besançon to help the poor by providing lodges and meals; this charity is still active today and is known as the “Fourneau économique boutique Jeanne-Antide”. She did the same in Naples. Inspired by the Daughters of Charity, her community works to provide education, care and support for the most vulnerable... Beatified in 1926 and canonised in 1934 by Pope Pius XI, she left behind a lasting and eternal legacy of solidarity... To mark the bicentenary of her death (in 1826), a trail has been dedicated to her, guiding us in her footsteps back to her early days in the Sancey valley.

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.

Hike between Sancey-le-Long and Belvoir, two towns in the Franche-Comté region with lots of character and superb panoramic views of the valley and Lomont.

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.

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.

"In the shade" is a misnomer for this route, which takes you along beautiful sunny forest paths, bordering pastures and woods, to the fortified castle of Belvoir, overlooking the Val de Sancey. Don't forget to visit the old village, centred around its 14th-century market halls, but beware of the irreverent Madge-Fâ as you pass underneath. Finally, you will descend into the valley via the Chemin de la Vie à la Mort (Path of Life and Death), no doubt invigorated by this country walk.

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.

Discover ‘Bévoi’, its 14th-century market halls, and its castle, which dominates the Val de Sancey with all its feudal severity, watching you warily as you pass beneath the irreverent Mâdge-Fâ, poised to unleash a few fragrant projectiles. Then, a circular route through the dry grasslands, accompanied by sheep and goats, will lead you to the Sainte-Anne Chapel and its viewpoint, before returning via the charming little wild valley, dominated by the massive and impressive silhouette of the Hautes Roches.

After visiting the source, you will climb to the Dard viewpoint, located at an altitude of 600 metres above Sancey-le-Grand, overlooking the valley with the Château de Belvoir and the Lomont mountain range crowned by fifteen wind turbines in the background. Then, from this magnificent rocky amphitheatre, a sunny valley will lead you to the wild cliffs of the Cul de Voye.

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.

(!) User comment on 8 August 2025 => the extension of the wind farm means that this trail is closed to the public due to construction work (scheduled to end in November 2026). Hiking impossible due to construction work Discover some of the wind turbines at Lomont de Valonne in Vyt-lès-Belvoir. Beautiful view of Sancey, its surroundings and the Chasseral.

From leat, along the Doubs, climb up the valley via the Côte du Savu, passing near Chatillon-sous-Maîche and by the fountain and statue of Saint-Léger, dating from 1721, to the 360° viewpoint at Montaigu overlooking, on one side, the Terres de Chaux and the Crêtes du Lomont all the way to the Pays de Montbéliard, with the Vosges in the background; on the other side, the Jura Plateaus and, in particular, the Chasseral; and, in the foreground, Mont Miroir. The return route takes you through Valoreille and the Combe d'Amotte, to the Pain de Sucre overlooking the Doubs valley and the viewpoint overlooking Saint-Hippolyte, at the confluence of the Dessoubre and the Doubs, via the GRP®, returning to leat via the Grand Recet.

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.

Discover the Reculée du Pissoux and its stream, the Dessoubre Valley and its river, passing by the Moulin de Girardot. A lovely climb up to the Roche du Miroir, which offers a panoramic view, then a walk through the village of Plaimbois-du-Miroir and back via the Montbeliardot Arboretum and its sculptures. A hike through wild, lush countryside.

Beautiful view of the valley, goats (dogs not allowed), a chapel with panoramic views, a castle with fortifications and gardens, a covered market with beautiful woodwork and a stone mill. There are few landmarks, so a GPS track is recommended.

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.

Circular route starting from Mont-de-Laval, passing by the Roche du Prêtre and looping through the Cirque de Consolation.

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.

Geological and scenic hike offering numerous views of the Doubs valley and amazing natural sites to discover!

A short, peaceful and quiet walk, towards the heights of Liebvillers and from one viewpoint to another. The route follows the village’s old paths and a pleasant ridge trail. Well-marked paths but not signposted. Caution is advised along the ridges and when approaching the promontories at the viewpoints.

A walk around the Cirque de Consolation with a thrilling variety of views and valleys. Beautiful panoramic views and bodies of water on way.

Easy hike through pastures and undergrowth to the highest point that gave the village its name. Wide views of the French-Swiss Jura mountain range, the site of Clémont and the Doubs valley. Pass by the small monument to the Lomont maquis.

Easy walk along the Clémont cliff. Viewpoints over Motte de Clémont and Liebvillers. Access to a small, unusual cave.