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Start from the Place Marie-Henriette Besson car park.
N.B. ''Several paths on this route are not shown on the IGN map (but they are shown on the OSM base map).''
(S/E) From the car park, head due south along Place Pierre Ferroud, then continue along Rue de Belle Sise until thesecond left, Rue des Merciers. After 50 m along this street, turn right until you reach the junction with Rue du Promenoir (D16). Take Montée du Plantin opposite. Leave the castle on your left and continue straight on along the geological trail (information boards).
Pass the orientation table, ignore a path on the right, and continue along the geological trail.
(1) About 50 metres past the ‘Gneiss or Granite’ information sign, near a square wooden post pointing towards Poleymieux, take the path that climbs to the right.
When you reach a T-junction, turn right and, after about 50 metres, turn left onto the mountain bike trail that climbs up beneath the tall trees.
When you reach the Route de la Glande, follow it to the left. Pass the lime kiln on your right and take a moment to read the explanation of how it works.
(2) At the crossroads, follow the path on the right leading to the Lodge de la Glande. Leave the lodge on your right and take the path climbing up to the left. At the next junction, turn left. When you reach a small clearing, follow the path to the right which passes below the Mont-Verdun radar. Finally, follow a road to the left and you will very quickly reach the Col du Mont Verdun (junction).
(3) Take the path opposite (east) which descends alongside the signpost “Croix de Verdun / Poleymieux-au-Mont-d’Or”. When you reach a path (not shown on the map), first turn right then left to cross it and continue downhill. Then cross a tarmac road and continue downhill.
(4) You will reach a new path; follow it to the left until you reach Route des Gambins. Follow the road to the left. Then turn right onto a path with a barrier. Return to Route des Gambins (D73) and follow it to the left, ignoring a turn-off on the left; this is a fairly busy road, so take care.
(5) Turn onto the path on the left. Pass several junctions, keeping to the right. In this area, there are many tracks leading to Mont Thou.
(6) At a T-junction, turn right towards Mont Thou. Reach the orientation table.
(7) Turn back. Head towards Poleymieux-au-Mont-d'Or via the Mont Thou path, ignoring the paths to the right and left.
(8) At a fork, turn left. Cross the Route de la Roche and continue along the path opposite.
(9) At the T-junction, turn left onto Chemin des Mésanges. Pass Impasse des Mésanges, keeping to the right. You’ll reach Route de la Roche; opposite you is a beautiful farmhouse with a square dovecote: follow the road to the right, then turn left after a stone bench onto Chemin du Mollard.
Return to Route de la Roche, turn left, then right onto Chemin du Grappillon. You’ll reach Route de la Rivière; cross it and take Chemin des Côtes opposite (old wash house on the right).
(10) Turn left onto the Sentier des Côtes; be careful, as there is a steep slope alternating with very uneven steps.
(11) Turn right onto Chemin de Cruy. Walk past the church and keep to the right to take Chemin de Nerbey; look out for the Puse hut on your right.
(12) At the junction, turn left onto the Sentier des Cabornes. There are many drystone shelters to discover. Cross the Chemin des Combes. Continue along the Chemin du Chêne.
When you reach the tarmac road to Péronière, turn right and then right again to follow the Chemin de la Croix Rampau. Walk past the Tour Risler and a well on your left.
(13) Ignore the Chemin des Places on your right. Continue left along the Chemin de la Croix Rampau. Ignore the Chemin de Chasselay which branches off to the left. Continue right along the Chemin de la Croix Rampau. Don’t miss the ash wash house a few metres after the fork.
(14) Take the sharp left-hand bend, walk for about 400m and turn left
(15) When you reach a junction, turn right and follow the path leading off to the left.
When you reach a T-junction, turn right, then follow the mountain bike trail to the left into the woods. At the crossroads, turn left.
(16) Pass the hut, turn left towards Chemin de la Collonge.
(17) Turn left onto Chemin du Valroing. Join the D16 and follow it to the left, continuing until you reach the pharmacy. Turn left twice to return to the starting point (S/E).
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