Highlights
- Champlitte Renaissance architecture
- Museum of popular arts
Stage conditions
| Section | France |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Moderate |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Culmont-Chalindrey station has TER Grand Est trains on the Paris-Est–Belfort line towards Langres, Chaumont and Dijon. Champlitte has no railway; it is in Haute-Saône, where the Mobigo regional coach network runs lines between Gray and Culmont-Chalindrey (LR607) and Gray and Vesoul, so check on viamobigo.fr which stops nearest the town.
What the season does
May to September, partial shade. The LightFoot guide describes the official line between Langres and Champlitte as muddy forest tracks with difficult water crossings in places, so avoid it after heavy rain; early summer and September are best. The pilgrim gîte in Champlitte is open all year. Hunting season from mid-September to the end of February covers the forests.
Safety on this stage
Long stage, few services between towns, says the stage data; the LightFoot guide adds mud and stream crossings on the forest tracks and suggests more direct road variants. Walk facing traffic on the D-roads. In hunting season keep to the marked route. Start early.
Water and food
Water is moderate. The villages on the way are small and the forest tracks have no fountains, so leave Culmont-Chalindrey with two litres. Champlitte has local shops near the pilgrim gîte, according to Haute-Saône Tourisme, and the gîte has a kitchenette with microwave and fridge, so you can cook in the evening and buy breakfast for the short day to Dampierre.
Where pilgrims sleep
Champlitte has a pilgrim gîte on rue de l'Église: one room sleeping four, kitchenette with microwave and fridge, shower, open all year and listed by Haute-Saône Tourisme, with cash payment. Our directory adds a gîte de groupe, the hostel Le Donjon and the Camping de Champlitte. The Monts de Gy tourist office publishes a downloadable list of pilgrim beds from Calais to Jougne that covers this valley. Ring the gîte ahead; with four places it fills quickly in summer, and Culmont-Chalindrey is a long way back.
Sources: Mobigo — Réseau régional Haute-Saône, fiches horaires · Haute-Saône Tourisme — Accueil pèlerin à Champlitte · LightFoot Guide to the Via Francigena, Canterbury to Besançon (PDF, 2014 edition) · Le Montagnard — Calendrier chasse France 2025-2026
Common questions
How long is the Culmont-Chalindrey to Champlitte stage?
It is 36.2 km (22.5 mi) and takes about 9.5 hours of walking, from Culmont-Chalindrey to Champlitte.
How hard is Culmont-Chalindrey to Champlitte?
It is rated moderate with 419 m of ascent and 578 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Culmont-Chalindrey to Champlitte stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
How do I get to Culmont-Chalindrey and away from Champlitte?
Culmont-Chalindrey station has TER Grand Est trains on the Paris-Est–Belfort line towards Langres, Chaumont and Dijon. Champlitte has no railway; it is in Haute-Saône, where the Mobigo regional coach network runs lines between Gray and Culmont-Chalindrey (LR607) and Gray and Vesoul, so check on viamobigo.fr which stops nearest the town.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Champlitte?
Champlitte has a pilgrim gîte on rue de l'Église: one room sleeping four, kitchenette with microwave and fridge, shower, open all year and listed by Haute-Saône Tourisme, with cash payment. Our directory adds a gîte de groupe, the hostel Le Donjon and the Camping de Champlitte. The Monts de Gy tourist office publishes a downloadable list of pilgrim beds from Calais to Jougne that covers this 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.