Refine your search for walks in Villafans
Between Salt and Coal

A challenging hike in the footsteps of the industrial past of the Gouhenans region (mine shafts, saltworks).
La Mer à la Marceline loop
A short, very accessible walk offering beautiful views of the 1,000 ponds plateau.
The Cusancin Valley

From the ridges and along the river, discover the Val du Cusancin, which starts at the foot of the Saint-Ermenfroi Chapel. Formed by two resurgences, it offers visitors shades of blue and green. As you climb higher, you will enjoy views of the valley from two rocky promontories.
Esmoulières circuit

An easy route that runs alongside numerous ponds. Very pleasant in the October sunshine, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful colours of our forests as they turn golden and purple.
Please note, however, that there is a short section on the road (with little traffic).
The 1,000 ponds plateau in Beulotte-Saint-Laurent

A short family hike with no significant elevation gain, allowing you to discover the typical landscapes of the 1000 ponds plateau.
From the Ferme du Mont Jean to the Col du Chantoiseau
This hike begins on the western flank of Mont Jean, through a forest interspersed with clearings offering magnificent views of the Savoureuse valley and the surrounding peaks. It reaches its peak at the Col du Chantoiseau, a haven of peace at the crossroads, at the foot of the Tremontkopf, which offers a view of the Riervescemont valley and its hills.
In the centre of the thousand ponds

Route slightly modified, description revised and corrected.
This is a lovely, easy route that allows you to admire around sixty ponds. Information boards help you discover and understand how these ponds were formed and are used. Much of the route is on small paved roads.
This route is partly based on signposts in the field, so be sure to follow the description carefully.
Circuit des Noirs Étangs

Starting at the Étang Noir and its lookout point, the trail leads from pond to pond, skirting a peat bog and crossing a pond on a wooden bridge leading to a chalet, making for a shady and very easy walk. As a bonus, there are lovely views of the Vosges mountains and the Thillot valley.
Tour of Plain de la Gentiane and Wissgrut
A family walk in unspoilt, lush countryside at an average altitude of 950 m and with no difficulty. The first part of the route is below the Plain de la Gentiane, in the forest among century-old trees and lush vegetation. Once you reach the Wissgrut, the return journey is along the ridge through sun-drenched pastures with panoramic views of four departments.
A circuit at the Ballon d'Alsace

This is a pleasant hike, starting with a slight descent into the woods, with almost the entire climb being open.
The Abbey of Grace of God

A short, varied and shaded route to discover the ancient Hiboux valley, the old Cistercian abbey and the magnificent Audeux waterfall.
Walk of the two passes

This hike, which is mostly in the woods, is accessible to many average walkers, although the first part is a little difficult.
The Dessoubre Valley: the Priory of Vaucluse, the Baron and the Cul de Vau

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.
The source of the Doller at the start of the Lachtelweiher

This hike will take you to the Source de la Doller, which, contrary to what you might think, does not originate at the Ballon d'Alsace, but below the Schlumpf. During the hike, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Doller valley and have the opportunity to eat at one of the farmhouse inns along the route.
From Sewen to Lake Alfeld

A peaceful hike that will take you to Sewen Lake and its peat bogs, then to Alfeld Lake, which is very different with its dam. The path is flat until you reach the foot of the dam, then climbs a little.
The Belvédère du Bourbet and the Waroly Waterfall

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.
Loop on the Haut de Belué

A short but very beautiful hike to the summit of Haut de Bélué, 870 m high. It overlooks the Grandrupt valley and offers a superb panorama of the Haute Moselle valley, dominated by the silhouettes of the Alsace and Servance balloons. The site features a forest chalet open to the public, a children's play area, picnic tables and an orientation table with a view of the Vosges ridges.
The Lakes of Neuweiher and Gresson

In the Doller valley, this walk will let you discover the lakes of Neuweiher and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Vosges. It's an easy walk and accessible to anyone.
In Le Ménil-Thillot: Tête des Champs, Chapelles de la Salette and Chapelles de Pitié

A superb four-hour walk in the hills above Ménil-Thillot (between Cornimont and Le Thillot), best done in May or June when the meadows and broom are in bloom! This easy walk is an unforgettable foray into the bountiful nature of the Hautes-Vosges.
The Chapelle de Pitié and the Beaudevé sculptures

A short walk offering a taste of everything that makes the village of Le Ménil so charming: unspoilt nature dotted with religious heritage sites scattered throughout the mountains, pretty views and picturesque spots ideal for refreshing breaks or family picnics.
Circuit of the Perches, Grand and Petit Neuweiher lakes

This short hike offers breathtaking views of the Col des Perches and the lake of the same name, Sternsee. A bench and a small table above the scree overlooking the lake are ideal for a snack break while admiring the landscape.
At the Grand Neuweiher lake, stop at the refuge inn to quench your thirst before heading back to Rimbach.
Moderator's note: the Blue Disc trail between (6) and Ermensbach is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Horse trail (Steinweg).
Lacs des Perches and Neuweiher via Haute Beers and Gresson in Rimbach
A pleasant, undulating hike between the lakes of the Vosges, offering magnificent views, high-altitude thatched roofs and open, varied landscapes. Starting from Rimbach near Masevaux, head towards Basse Bers, then Lac des Perches, climb up to the pass of the same name, followed by the GR®5 trail overlooking the lake, towards Haute Beers (shelter). Gentle descent via the Seppiweg to the Neuweiher lakes, then climb towards Gresson (farmhouse inn). Descent to Ermensbach via the magnificent log cabin shelter of Lagerwald Hutte, then along the hillside to the church in Rimbach.
Around the Lac des Perches

This walk takes you to the Lac des Perches ; a lake that nestles at the bottom of a very steep-sided cirque. Then the path leads you on to a stubble field where there is a very beautiful view over the valley of the Doller and even of the Alps when the sky is clear.
Montfaucon: Dhuit Fountain

Peaceful downhill hike through the Montfaucon valley to the feudal castle perched on its rocky outcrop. Then from a lost fountain to a forgotten fountain, you will go through and, no doubt, appreciate the wild freshness of the Nacra steephead valley.
The Death Ladders

The ladders will probably be closed until autumn. There are no danger points on these ladders. This historic site bears witness to the fear once inspired by these legendary places, the scene of many fatal accidents during the "bricotte" smuggling era, when the ladders were nothing more than tree trunks crossed by pieces of wood. Today, these comfortable family staircases, which you can climb safely, allow you to discover the Doubs Gorges from a number of viewpoints.
The Death Ladders from La Cendrée

Beautiful views, a lovely setting and an unusual part of the hike, crossing the death ladders.
Chaumes du Grand Ventron and Chaumes des Vintergés

A very beautiful, shaded hike through a magnificent forest of hundred-year-old beech trees, with views of the Chaume des Vintergés and the Chaume du Grand Ventron viewpoint, overlooking the ridges (Markstein, Grand Ballon and Alsace).
The Rock of Valmy

On 26 September 1943, between 7.36am and 8.24am, 16 members of the Guy Mocquet and Marius Vallet resistance groups were shot at the citadel. Later, the German officer in charge of the operation reported the end of the shootings in these terms: " None of them agreed to be blindfolded. They all died bravely, shouting 'Long live France!'" Hike in tribute to the memorial stone located at one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Besançon area.