Loulans-Verchamp / Roulans

You have to crank it up after leaving Le Chemin Vert, but rewards include views of the imposing Château de la Roche standing out in the distance. Along this stage, you need to stay in full control of your bike. The route takes you through woods and hills, with sudden ascents followed by vertiginous descents. Enjoy a bit of respite arriving in the Ognon Valley before getting back to more tortuous parts. Once you’ve got over the Mont Devin, you pass into the Doubs Valley and your thighs will appreciate reaching the EuroVelo 6 route to be able to relax after such a strenuous stage.

The route

The signposting is clear. This stage is entirely on roads shared with motorized traffic, with significant slopes and bends, to be negotiated with care. At the level of Le Bois des Barrots, the surface was in a bad state of repair at time of writing.
Take care: note that there’s a Stop sign to respect at the bottom of the vertiginous descent from the hamlet of La Grande Corcelle, so take great care here.
There’s a long slope to tackle on the D352 road after Vennans, while you can enjoy the final descent to Roulans and the Doubs River after the Mont Devin.

Don’t miss

Blarians: for a pause on the banks of the Ognon River
Rigney: the Château de la Roche
Roulans: the banks of the Doubs