The Mines Trail

Discover the life of the blacksmiths of the past on this easy trail.

From the car park, return to the D 73 and turn right. Turn right onto the D 226 and cross the Rhone-Rhine canal.

Leave the car park on the left, continue into Châteauneuf for 250 m, then turn left. Cross the D 673 (> caution!) and continue along the Chemin des Forgerons, which is offset to the left. This road becomes a path along the railway. Pass the bridge on the right and turn right. After 300 m, the path goes left towards the horn of the wood.

Turn right and walk along the edge of the forest for 800 m. Turn left onto the path in the undergrowth. It leads to the Patouillet pond (sign). Cross the D237 and continue along the track opposite. It leads to Les Minerais. Continue along the road for 600 m (fountains).

After the edge of the wood, take the path on the left. In Ranchot, go straight on. At the railway embankment, turn right. Turn left under the bridge and go up to the left by the rue de la Gare. Go down to the right, cross the D 673 ( > caution!) and continue along the Grande Rue. Cross the car park on the right, cross the median and join the canal.

Follow the Nantes-Budapest greenway (locks, rest areas) on the left for 3 km, along the canal or along the Doubs to reach the bridge.

On the right, join the starting point.
> Possibility of extending the hike by following the Forges de Fraisans urban path (many explanatory signs): from the car park, join the D 73, turn left and cross the bridge over the Doubs. Take the path on the left. Place de l'Islotte, turn left into rue de la Vieille-Forge and retrace your steps. Turn left into rue des Madiottes, left into rue de Salans and left into the path. Return to the town square, pass the town hall and then the church (panorama). Cross the D 76. Take the rue du Château, the Grande rue and the rue du Bac, find the bridge and the car park.