Villers-sous-Chalamont walks

This circular route around Chalamont takes you on a journey of discovery to a remarkable historical site: the ancient Chalamont Passage, where the ruts carved into the rock are a reminder of the carts of yesteryear. The route alternates between forest paths, wilder trails and clearings offering beautiful views of Mont Poupet, the valley and the Boujailles plateau.

A lovely loop along beautiful paths, discovering the Pont du Diable, the Creux Billard, the Grotte Sarrazine, the Source and the Cascade du Lison. At the start of this beautiful walk, you'll cross the protected natural area of the marl pits and the Bois de Château-Renaud stream. Then head for Crouzet-Migette to reach the Source du Lison site, with a steep descent into the Combe Fagot. Before arriving at the site, you'll passthe Gros Chêne, presumed to be 300 years old, with a circumference of 5.5 m, an imposing sight. On arrival at the site: a return trip to the Creux Billard (unfortunately the Source path is off-limits), then a break at the Cascade du Lison, and a return trip to the Grotte Sarrazine (headlamp required). Then back along the Lison, a nice rest before a steep climb to Crouzet-Migette.

From Crouzet, you will climb up to the remains of one of the largest strongholds of the Chalon family, which are actually quite sparse. Blame Louis XIV, who destroyed a large part of our heritage in revenge! However, your efforts will be rewarded by the splendid view of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, nestled in the natural setting of its remote valley, by the pretty Saint-Thiébaud church and by the bold and supernatural bridge spanning the Diable waterfall.

Chemin de Maublin - ancient road and carved passageway of Chalamont. An easy walk to get your legs back into shape at the start of the season.

A hike entirely through the forest, alternating between forest roads and footpaths, traversing this vast forest massif. Several designated viewing points offer views of the Jura mountain range or, on the other side of the forest, the Poupet and the entire plateau. A superb site at the start with an arboretum and historical information about the area.

An easy walk to discover some of Levier’s remarkable monuments and recharge your batteries in the peace and quiet, amidst pastures and pine forests. Also lovely in the snow (though not too much, as the forest paths are only cleared of snow in the warmer months).

A lovely walk starting from Geraise that will take you through the Vaux valley, from the ridges on the way out and along the valley floor on the way back. The viewpoints along the route offer beautiful views of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne and the head of the Lison valley.

Starting from Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, pass by the Old Castle, Sainte-Anne, the Devil's Bridge and the Montmahoux viewpoint

Discover the charm of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne and its old houses, nestled in the natural setting of the remote valley, its Taillanderie. Then there is the Lison, mystical and wild at the foot of a vertiginous rocky cirque, after a tortuous underground journey, gushing forth in the blue-green plume of its never-ending waterfall, the wild cathedral of the Sarrazine cave, the Creux Billard and finally the belvedere of the Vieux Château.

To warm up, the Belvédère de Montmahoux, at an altitude of 828 metres, offers an exceptional view of the Jura Mountains, with the silhouette of Mont Blanc standing out on the horizon. Then, descending through beautiful beech forests towards Nans and its old houses, you will enjoy beautiful views of the wild cathedral of the Grotte Sarrazine. And, after a detour to the Verneau waterfall, return via the Belvédère des Feuilles viewpoint to the meanders and cliffs of the Lison Valley.

You will walk along a beautiful ridge line to discover, from several viewpoints, Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne nestled in the natural setting of the reculée, topped by Mont Mahoux, the rocks of the Vieux-Château at the foot of which the Lison river rises. Return via the charming leat of Vaux and the16th-century statue of Saint Christopher.

Five good reasons to go: It is the largest high-altitude wetland in France.The Nordic landscape is highly original.You will find a unique biodiversity and surprising natural environments.The trail is designed and equipped for educational discovery.The site has been awarded the Tourism and Disability label.

From Éternoz, overlooking the Cirque de Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, you will head to the beautifully named Belvédère des Feuilles on the meanders and cliffs of the wild Lison valley, notably on the "éperon des aiguilles" (spur of the needles), offering a view of a colourful forest. Then you will descend towards Nans and its old houses and climb boldly to the superb Verneau waterfall before returning along the Lison, through the small, lost and wild valley of the Vau stream.

Five good reasons to go:It is the largest high-altitude wetland in France.The Nordic landscape is highly original.You will find a unique biodiversity and surprising natural environments.The route is designed and equipped for educational discovery.The site has been awarded the Tourism and Disability label. There are two possible routes: Short Route: 1.44 km, accessible to people with reduced mobility (Tourism and Disability label) and pushchairs - Long Route: 5.67 km

This forest trail will take you to some unusual sites: the Prêtres réfractaires, a small secret wooded area where priests who rebelled against the revolution hid and celebrated mass; and the Chandeliers, large rock columns several metres high, formed by water and frost erosion. You will discover a viewpoint over the lost gorges of the Lison, which you will then follow along a beautiful, cool path, returning via the wild valley of the Vau stream.

This circular loop climbs up to Fort Belin, where you can enjoy a majestic view of Salins-les-Bains to the north and the green hills of the Jura to the south, before crossing the charming village of Clucy and descending via the Roman road at the foot of Mont Poupet.

This circular route allows you to see both forts and the town of Salins from two different angles. The Roman Way is an excuse to get closer to Mont Poupet and increase the elevation. However, the great advantage of this walk is that it is shaded by trees, which is very practical in summer.

A short walk on the heights of Fort Saint-André to discover the exceptional natural site of Salins-les-Bains, protected by its two old forts.

Fourth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. Right from the start of this stage, things get serious with a demanding route punctuated by steep ascents and descents in the limestone massif of Revermont. Then, through undergrowth, pastures and picturesque viewpoints, the second part of the route reveals itself to be full of charm and tranquillity, offering a perfect transition before reaching Montigny-les-Arsures, a superb wine-growing village where the vineyards come into view. A few more kilometres will take you to Arbois, the capital of Jura wines. Louis Pasteur had his family home here, which is still open to visitors. This colourful town is full of Jura wine tasting cellars and great places to eat for food lovers.

Climb to the highest point of the extreme Jura at 851 m, with 360° views of the plains and mountains of the Jura and, on a clear day, even Mont Blanc. Set off from Salins-les-Bains on the banks of the Furieuse, long known for its salt mining. A scenic and slightly challenging hike without any major difficulties.

On 10 November 1855, during a meeting of the Société d'Émulation du Doubs, Alphonse Delacroix exclaimed: "There is a place which, until the 19th century, retained its name of Alésia and still reigns amid the remains of the largest battlefield known to man. It is there, in Alaise, that we place the memorable siege that ended the struggle of Vercingetorix." Far from this scholarly debate, discover these ruins and, above all, the magnificent view of the Lison Gorges.

The Croix de la Bèche trail passes through the villages of La-Rivière-Drugeon and Bouverans, allowing you to explore the Drugeon Valley and the Montagne du Laveron, passing by the shores of Lac de l'Entonnoir.

A lovely walk around the small village of Les Nans, taking you to the source of the Angillon and its superb waterfalls, the Grotte aux Ours, the Roche des Nans and its viewpoint. You can also enjoy the tranquillity of the Forêt de la Joux as you explore its very well-maintained paths. The route is entirely through woodland on forest paths and tracks.

A peaceful walk in the Mignovillard area. You will be on the Haute Joux GRP® trail until Essart Bassand. Head towards the Seigne des Barbouillons Regional Nature Reserve, where you will pass the memorial to the crash on 9 January 2019. This memorial was erected here following the crash of a Mirage aircraft from Nancy-Ochey Air Base 133, near the site of the accident in which two soldiers were killed.Take a break at the Fontaine Carrée pond, then return via the hamlet of Petit Villard and the Moulin du Martinet.

A fairly varied route (geological curiosity, spring, stream and river with numerous small waterfalls), well shaded and wooded enough to encounter various species of trees.

Discover one of the unique features of the Jura mountains: the reculées, narrow, deep valleys lined with high, steep walls, formed at the end of the ice ages by a gradual retreat of the valley floor into the plateau, ending in wild cirques. The Norvaux reculée ends in three cul-de-sacs carved out by the Pomme Gaude, Fontaine des Cassards and Fontaine de Fer streams.

Alternating between pastures and high-altitude forests, this trail allows you to enjoy the varied landscapes of the Haut-Doubs. It leads you to the Vieille Citerne de Bonnevaux, passing through the communal lands of the Côte de Bonnevaux, where you can admire a magnificent panorama of the Frasne plateau and the mosaic of forests, peat bogs and pastures.

"In these moments of terrible solitude, between life and death, one involuntarily thinks back to one's youth, one's parents, one's friends. I saw again in the mirror of my mind the meadows of Flagey where I used to go with my mother to gather hazelnuts," wrote Gustave Courbet, imprisoned after the Commune. From the family farm, follow in his footsteps and discover the little valley of Bonneille, the old oak tree of Sillet and the beautiful fountain-wash house of Chantrans.

Discover a unique feature of the Jura mountains: the reculées, narrow, deep valleys lined with high, steep walls, formed at the end of the ice age by a gradual retreat from the beginning of the valley into the plateau, ending in wild cirques. The first part of the walk takes you through woodland, past springs and streams, before returning via the Amancey plateau to discover two villages in the Comté region, Bolandoz and Flagey, and their richly decorated churches.

A splendid hike between the plateau and the steep-sided valley of the Ain. This circuit offers an opportunity to discover the upper Ain valley and its unique geology, with its Vaucluse spring, waterfalls (Le Moulinet, Saut des Maillys, Moulin-du-Saut) and ruined mills, evidence of how humans once harnessed the power of water. In fact, an EDF hydroelectric plant has replaced the old Moulin-du-Saut.

This woodland walk offers three viewpoints over the lower Loue valley, the Jura mountains and Bartherans, nestled in wooded valleys overlooking the Lison valley.

A peaceful walk in the Lison valley with its sandstone cliffs and three viewpoints. You will discover two typical Comtois villages, Echay and Cussey sur Lison, and its remote hamlet.

From the beautiful church in Paroy, passing in front of the wealthy residences of this small village, then crossing sunny meadows, you will climb to the viewpoint overlooking the lower Loue valley. Along a pretty sunken path, you will descend towards Ronchaux, another picturesque little village with its old farms, waterfall and former tuff quarry.