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.

Straddling the municipalities of Boujailles and Villers-sous-Chalamont, this trail will take you to the Chalamont Pass, a former toll station on the ancient road leading from northern Italy to Flanders.

This short, easy circular walk will take you from the hamlet of l’Entrepôt (Dournon) to Sainte-Anne and the famous Pont du Diable, which you can even admire from the bank of the Ruisseau de Château Renaud – the stream it spans – whilst following the small path leading to it. Before that, you’ll have passed through the quaint little village of Sainte-Anne with its street signs written in two languages: French and Arpitan, the local dialect. The return journey takes you through the lovely Chalème Forest with its beautiful forest lanes.

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.

An easy circular walk through the Levier State Forest. The route runs almost entirely through woodland on a variety of paths. After taking in the views of Hyoche, you can take a short break at the Brassecouche Spring, sitting at a picnic table by the old railway halt. At the end of the walk, after seeing the gigantic ‘Épicéas du Roi de Rome’ spruce trees, you’ll follow a botanical trail and, on your return to the car park, you can enjoy a relaxing break at one of the many tables and benches situated around the wildlife park at the Maison Forestière du Rondé.

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).

This trail, with its information boards, will introduce you to the historical and natural heritage of Cessay and lead you to the Source des Moines. With its mascot, Huguenin, a little squirrel, young walkers can explore the Espace Cessay in a fun way. For the more active, there’s a fitness trail featuring 11 wooden obstacles.

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 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