Les Auxons – Moncley – Sauvagney circular loop

Park in the car park of Les Auxons Primary School (D287).

(S/E) Head west along the footpath to join the Route des Sablières.
Follow the pavement/cycle path and continue to the end of this road, passing the cemetery on your right, until you reach the junction with the D230. Turn left towards Besançon. Cross the bridge over the Auxon stream, then at the junction by the fountain, turn right to stay on the departmental road towards Besançon for a few metres.

(1) Turn right, heading due west. Enter the grounds of the Marcel Guey retirement home. (Arched stone gateway).
After 300m, leave the grounds and turn right onto Rue du Moulin, heading towards the small industrial estate.

(2) Walk past the driving school’s skid pad, cross a small stream, turn left and leave the sewage treatment plant on your right. You’ll reach a path on the edge of woods and pasture. After one kilometre, this path turns right.

(3) At the corner by a small pond, head uphill towards the woods.
Follow this path through the woods until you reach a fork 200 metres further on. Turn right onto a wider path and continue to the TGV line.

(4) Cross the bridge over the TGV line and, at the junction, turn left onto a path that runs alongside the line.
You’ll come across yellow and blue signposting (follow this for several kilometres); do not take the two paths on the right, but continue all the way along the TGV line. You’ll come to a footpath shortly after a pylon.

(5) Take the path on the right. (Former railway line linking Besançon to Gray, in operation from 1858 until the Second World War). A sign indicates that this path is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Stay on this path and go under a bridge. 300 metres further on, turn right onto the Chemin de l’Abbaye towards Moncley.

(6) At the crossroads, head towards the rear entrance to Moncley Castle’s grounds. Pass between the two stone pillars and take the path to the rear gate of the castle. Continue along the narrow path that descends to the right towards the church; go through a small gate to reach Rue de la Boudotte.
Leave the church and the town hall on your left and head down to Rue de la Neuvie. (Fountain). Turn right onto this street.

(7) After 50 metres, don’t miss the small path branching off to the left. This path runs between two properties and leads to the end of Rue de la Savoie. You’ll come to a junction with a wooden cross. Take Rue de la Bergère straight ahead. This small tarmac road turns into a dirt track after a few metres.

(8) Take the track on the left to reach a small stream. Cross the stream via the footbridge and, after 50 metres, cross the D14 road which runs from Moncley to Geneuille. Take the track which is almost directly opposite, heading towards Sauvagney.
When you reach a junction, carry straight on along the grassy path, running parallel to the road on your left. Walk past the entrance to Sauvagney Castle.

(9) Continue along Rue de la Riotte towards the church.

(10) After the church, turn right onto Rue Champ de la Croix, heading towards Cussey-sur-l’Ognon.
Please note: You are now on a small tarmacked road with little traffic. Pass the cemetery and go under the high-voltage power line.
Follow the yellow and blue signposted path. Continue straight on along an unpaved track. After a bend to the left, cross a small bridge over the Auxon stream. Walk alongside a pylon and 50 metres further on.

(11) Turn right, heading due south, onto the track leading to the farm. You’ll come across red and white markings again. Leave the farm buildings on your left and carry on straight ahead until you reach the entrance to the woodland. Enter the woodland, following the markings, and head uphill until you join a white track. At the fork, turn left towards the departmental road running from Les Auxons to Cussey-sur-l’Ognon (D230).

(12) Cross this road and enter the woods (opposite, slightly to one side), heading due east. Continue along this woodland path, following the red and white markings. Turn left and join the district road leading from Moncley to Geneuille. Cross this road.

(13) Pass close to the Étang de l’Aurêtre, continuing to follow the white and red markings. Join the TGV line again. Turn left and follow the fence until you reach the departmental road. At the roundabout, turn right to pass under the TGV line and, at the second roundabout, cross the road and turn right.

(14) Turn left and walk for 500m. You will enter the new business park. (Do not continue along the road leading to the station)

(15) Turn left onto a small footpath which takes you to the first houses in Les Auxons. Carry on straight ahead along the Chemin du Grand Bois for 100 metres.

(16) Turn right onto a dirt track to pass by a small playground. Leave the red and white markings. This path leads you to the roundabout at the school car park (S/E).