Country:
District:
Car park at the town hall in Mont-de-Vougney. Good quality yellow and blue markings.
(S/E) Head towards the church and visit it if it is open. At the intersection at the foot of the church, turn left, then immediately right towards the village exit. You will soon have a clear view of the valley. Descend for one kilometre along this narrow, tarmac road, which is peaceful and offers beautiful views of the Dessoubre valley. When you come to the first signpost, continue straight ahead.
(1) Soon after, at the second signpost, descend the beautiful path on the right. 150 metres after a hairpin bend, at the foot of a large rock, leave this straight path and turn left to discover the niche of Saint-Claude, which, according to the elders, protected against curses. You will then walk alongside beautiful rocks. A little further down, ignore a path coming from the right. At the first house in Battenans-Varin, leave the gravel road and head into the orchard on the left, walking along the fence.
(2) Pass the fountain and descend to the right for a few metres, then turn left onto the gravel path (towards Pont Neuf). Cross a small tarmac road twice in succession, continuing downhill on the path opposite.
(3) You will come to this small road for the third time opposite a signpost. Go down to the left towards the bridge for a round trip to discover the Dessoubre, overlooked by its cliffs. Return to the signpost and continue along the gravel path on the left which runs alongside the river (towards "Le Pont Neuf"). Soon you will come to a gate which you will need to open (remember to close it again).
(4) About fifty metres after passing a large rock that has fallen from the cliff and just before a yellow and blue marker, don't miss the small path on the right that descends towards the river for a beautiful view of the wild Dessoubre. Ideal for a snack break, provided the river is not too high.
(5) When the path turns right and starts to climb away from the riverbank, there is a fork. Keep to the left of the Dessoubre for a return trip to the pretty arc-shaped waterfall. There is also space to sit down. The path climbs for a while before descending towards the river.
(6) Cross the D464 road and continue opposite along the path that runs alongside the Dessoubre (towards Orgeans). Shortly afterwards, take a path on the left for another view of the river.
(7) When you reach a pretty bend in the Dessoubre, don't miss the superb mini cirque of Combe Foulot and its small waterfall on the right.
(8) You will reach the D347 road. Walk up it for about 15 metres on the right and climb up the forest path on the left. Cross the road again and continue along the path opposite to reach Orgeans.
(9) Cross the village. Clinging to the mountain opposite you is the Château de l'Ermitage. At the crossroads by the town hall, go straight on towards "Route 5 - La Lizerne". Continue for a while along this quiet little tarmac road, turning back often to enjoy the beautiful views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. Pass the first gravel path on your left and take the second one, a hundred metres further on. Back on the road, continue climbing to the left.
(10) At the next hairpin bend, you will come to a hiking junction. Take the gravel path ascending to the right (towards "La Lizerne"). Climb to the left for about a hundred metres to the departmental road. Along the way, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Château de l'Ermitage.
(11) You will soon see a signpost on the left, but it is on the right that you will find and climb the path that leads into the wooded hillside. Then turn left onto the rough gravel farm track. You will cross a beautiful sparse fir forest. Continue climbing to the top of this straight path, which becomes more properly gravelled.
(12) At a hunting lodge (with a table and benches for a short break), you will come to a path climbing up on the left. Continue climbing to the right. At the first houses in Lizerne, the road becomes tarmac. Just after the restaurant "Au Coin du Bois", turn right onto the forest track and then right again onto the stony path.
(13) You will cross meadows and gates, which you should close behind you. Enjoy a final view of the valley and its cliffs and, in the distance, the Belvoir wind turbines. After the gate, which you will cross via a small ladder (somewhat hidden among the hazelnut trees), turn left and follow the hedge to another ladder. Then turn right, following the fence to its last corner.
(14) Be careful! At the last corner, a sign (a little rickety) shows you the direction to go up the pasture. Head diagonally to the left to reach the edge of the woods, ignoring the middle path through the meadow that can be seen in the grass. You will find a marker and follow the edge of the woods, then enter the woods after a final gate.
(15) At the top, do not enter the first pasture, despite the wooden ladder inviting you to do so. Continue along this path, which turns left, and enter the second pasture, about thirty metres higher up. Cross it widthwise with your back to the barrier.
You will find a marker post and a gravel road, which you should cross, continuing along the path that leads into the copse opposite (towards "Mont-de-Vougney"). At the end of the copse, turn slightly to the right and follow the dirt track.
The path leads to a meadow with the bell tower in sight. Despite the yellow and blue cross, cross it to find Rue de l'Église, which will take you back to the car park (S/E).
Rocky and slippery paths in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Easy 
