Highlights
- Haute-Saône countryside
- Salon river valley
- Quiet rural France
Stage conditions
| Section | France |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Moderate |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Champlitte has no station; the Mobigo Haute-Saône coach network is the only public transport, with regional lines between Gray and Culmont-Chalindrey (LR607) and Gray and Vesoul, so check on viamobigo.fr which stop serves the town. Dampierre-sur-Salon is on Mobigo line 608 between Vesoul and Gray, and the mairie also lists line 602 Vesoul–Combeaufontaine–Gray; timetables are downloadable from the Mobigo site. From Gray or Vesoul you connect to the railway at Besançon or Culmont-Chalindrey. Neither village has trains.
What the season does
May to September in the stage data, with partial shade. This is a short, gentle day through rolling Haute-Saône farmland and is comfortable in any summer weather; it is the natural recovery stage after the long descent from Langres. Au Bon Vivant in Dampierre welcomes pilgrims through the walking season, and the Champlitte gîte is open all year. Hunting is open from mid-September to the end of February and the small woods along the way see weekend battues, so a weekday is calmer in autumn. Spring mud is the only other nuisance.
Safety on this stage
Limited services, says the stage data, but there are no terrain hazards on this easy 20 km day with 208 m of ascent. The route is on farm tracks and quiet D-roads; walk facing traffic and step aside for farm machinery. In hunting season, from mid-September to the end of February, stay on the waymarked route through the woods and wear something visible. Dampierre-sur-Salon is a quiet village on the Salon river; ordinary care on its streets and by the water.
Water and food
Water is moderate. Champlitte has local shops for the morning, so buy lunch before you leave. The villages between are small farming settlements without reliable cafés and there are no fountains on the tracks. Dampierre-sur-Salon has a grocery, a bakery and a pharmacy close to the guest house, according to Au Bon Vivant, so you can shop for the next day's stage to Gy, which passes only small villages before Bucey-lès-Gy.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory lists Au Bon Vivant, a chambre and table d'hôte at 22 rue des Orgevaux that positions itself as the pilgrim stop between Champlitte and Bucey-lès-Gy, with a bedroom and rest area, a shared home-cooked dinner, breakfast and advice for the road ahead. Nothing else is confirmed in the village, so book it, or check the FFVF 'Hébergements et Services' booklet, updated each January, and the Monts de Gy tourist office's downloadable list for other hosts in the Salon valley.
Sources: Mobigo — Réseau régional Haute-Saône, fiches horaires · Mairie de Dampierre-sur-Salon — Bus Mobigo · Au Bon Vivant, Dampierre-sur-Salon — Pourquoi choisir la Via Francigena ? · FFRandonnée — Via Francigena 'Hébergements et Services' · Le Montagnard — Calendrier chasse France 2025-2026
Common questions
How long is the Champlitte to Dampierre-sur-Salon stage?
It is 20.0 km (12.4 mi) and takes about 5.5 hours of walking, from Champlitte to Dampierre-sur-Salon.
How hard is Champlitte to Dampierre-sur-Salon?
It is rated easy with 180 m of ascent and 190 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Champlitte to Dampierre-sur-Salon stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
How do I get to Champlitte and away from Dampierre-sur-Salon?
Champlitte has no station; the Mobigo Haute-Saône coach network is the only public transport, with regional lines between Gray and Culmont-Chalindrey (LR607) and Gray and Vesoul, so check on viamobigo.fr which stop serves the town. Dampierre-sur-Salon is on Mobigo line 608 between Vesoul and Gray, and the mairie also lists line 602 Vesoul–Combeaufontaine–Gray; timetables are downloadable from the Mobigo site. From Gray or Vesoul you connect to the railway at Besançon or Culmont-Chalindrey.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Dampierre-sur-Salon?
Our directory lists Au Bon Vivant, a chambre and table d'hôte at 22 rue des Orgevaux that positions itself as the pilgrim stop between Champlitte and Bucey-lès-Gy, with a bedroom and rest area, a shared home-cooked dinner, breakfast and advice for the road ahead. Nothing else is confirmed in the village, so book it, or check the FFVF 'Hébergements et Services' booklet, updated each January, and the Monts de Gy tourist office's downloadable list for other hosts in the Salon valley.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, browse heritage along the route, or get the free Via Francigena Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.