(S/E) Car park in the centre of Avanne, Rue de l'Abreuvoir, on the left side of the church. Walk down Grande Rue, leaving the church behind you. You will walk along the Doubs for 2 kilometres on this small, relatively quiet tarmac road. Take care nonetheless. No signposts.
(1) Immediately after the Port-Douvot water treatment plant, at the signpost, turn left onto the path towards Fort de Planoise. Yellow markings. Halfway up the slope, at the next signpost, continue climbing to the left in the same direction. You will soon reach a tarmac road, which you follow to the left for 300 metres. At the next signpost, climb to the right along the path that goes up the hillside. You will soon see some ruins on your left.
(2) Immediately after the first one, take the small staircase that climbs to the left and weave your way through the ruins. You will come to another path at a right angle, which you climb on the left, then another even wider path, still going to the left. After a metal barrier, you will find the tarmac road at the signpost. Climb to the right to Fort de Planoise. You will pass between two walls. Opposite you is another signpost; turn right towards the esplanade. At the semi-circular car park, take the small path that will lead you to a splendid viewpoint over the Besançon mountains. Return to the entrance of the fort, walk along its right-hand side and go around it via the path on the left that runs alongside the moats.
(3) You will pass a boundary stone and arrive at the rear of the fort. Head slightly to the right to reach a small meadow and continue towards the picnic table. Head towards a metal barrier. You will then follow the signs for Point de vue sur Avanne. Cross the fortifications again via a beautiful stone path, continuing straight ahead until you reach the paragliding launch area.
(4) After enjoying the magnificent view of the Doubs valley and the Jura mountains, turn your back on the viewpoint and head right towards a small concrete bench. Continue for 300 metres along the ridge path that passes above the fortification and overlooks a trench path, which you should also be able to cross. Look for a path that branches off perpendicularly to the left at the large, clearly visible fortifications. Ignore the path on the right, which is blocked by a metal post, and take the stone path that led us to the jump area. Cross it and continue straight ahead along a casemate.
(5) Climb the small hill, descend it and continue straight ahead along the small descending path. At a sign bearing the number 13, ignore the path on the right and continue descending for another 150 metres.
(6) At the fork, take the left-hand path which descends diagonally down the hillside to Avanne, ignoring the paths descending to the right. You will reach Rue du Pressoir, then turn left into Rue de l'Église, passing in front of the town hall and quickly reaching the car park (S/E).
The route includes unsecured viewpoints. The start of the walk runs alongside a fairly quiet country road, but caution is advised nonetheless. The paths are rocky and slippery. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
