From Chancia to Montcusel in a loop

The route starts in Chancia at a place called La Cize (Chemin de Nezan).

(S/E) Going downhill, take the Chemin de Nezan.

at the small roundabout, continue straight ahead on Rue de Bellevue until the end. Keep right, then left onto Rue du Jura (RD60E2) , watching out for vehicles.

(2) Just before the Pont de Chancia bridge, at a memorial plaque, turn left onto Rue de la Pierre Martin. The road quickly becomes a carriageway, which you follow for a short while, ignoring the various turnings. Pass the Moulin sous la Côte mill and you will come to a fork: take the left-hand fork.

(3) At the end of the section, take the path on the left: this climbs steadily to reach the plateau after a while (please note: the route is not shown on IGN and OSM maps). At the two forks, ignore the paths on the right and continue a little further to a third fork.

(4) Turn left onto an uphill path and follow it for a short while until you reach a paragliding take-off area: enjoy the view from this open spot.

(5) Continue along the path. Shortly after coming to a trail on the right, look for another one on the left, which you should take: this fairly short trail leads to a pretty viewpoint. Be careful on the access path, especially near the overhang.

(6) After admiring the view, retrace your steps and continue left along the path you left earlier. A little further on, you will see the church of Montcusel: at the end of the path, take the street on the left, heading downhill.

(7) Once you reach the main street of the village, follow it to the left for a few metres and, very quickly, near the old communal oven, continue to the right on Rue du Pataye. After leaving the village of Montcusel, follow a path on the left (no sign). Ignore a fork on the right and, at the^{second fork}, continue straight ahead for about 100 metres: be careful, as the route shown on the IGN map is sometimes incorrect in this area. Look for and take a path leading to a pretty viewpoint a few metres below: be careful on the path and, above all, near the cliff.

(8) Retrace your steps to the previous fork. Follow the path on the left uphill. Further on, ignore the fork coming from the right. On a slope that is sometimes quite steep, the path leads to a^second fork. Take the path on the left and, shortly after, continue left until you reach a^third fork.

(9) You will soon come to a downhill path. After a short while, join a track and follow it to the left until you reach a hairpin bend. Enjoy the beautiful view around the transmitter.

(10) Negotiate the hairpin bend and continue north-west until you reach the fork marked by signposts.

(11) Follow the path on the left towards Chancia. Further down, cross a paved road to reach another path further down. Follow this path on the left and return shortly after to the place called La Cize (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here.

Good hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended.

Please take your rubbish with you, as nature has a hard time digesting it.

Here is a description of the difficulties you may encounter along each section (the route is not uniform):
- green: fairly easy going with no significant elevation changes or difficulties.
- blue: steeper slopes and/or elevation changes on a well-marked trail.
- orange: route with some technical difficulties and/or poor route conditions (markings or visibility of the path).

From (S/E) to (3): green difficulty.
The start of the route is in an urban environment, then follows a good path running parallel to the River Bienne (some access is possible in places, but please respect private property).
There are no signposts or markings.

From (3) to (4): blue difficulty.
A clearly visible path with a few steep sections is followed for a long distance.
No signposts or markings.

From (4) to (7): green difficulty
A wide, passable path is easy to follow on this section.
Be careful when accessing point (6), where caution is advised.
Yellow markings.

From (7) to (8): blue difficulty.
Shortly after leaving the village, follow a good path on the left. Be careful around the viewpoint and especially at the edge of the cliff.
Only the section at the exit of the village follows a marked trail. If you have any doubts about the direction, you will find some traces of the route below (the IGN indications are incorrect in some places): click here.

From (8) to (9): blue difficulty
Follow the clearly visible trail. There are a few steep slopes in places.
No signposts.

From (9) to (10): blue difficulty.
Follow a gently sloping path. Once you reach the track, the route is easy going.
Yellow markings from the path below.

From (10) to (11): green difficulty.
Follow a very easy path.
Yellow markings + a few signposts.

From (11) to (S/E): blue difficulty.
Follow a good, relatively wide path before reaching an easy path further down that leads back to the starting point.
Yellow markings + a few signposts.

Commemorative plaque at Chancia: its content is as follows:
"Commune decorated with the 1939-1945 War Cross with bronze star".
"Commune whose population, united in a spirit of resistance, gave shelter during the years of occupation to many compatriots and those who refused to participate in the S.T.O. In April 1944, this attitude attracted reprisals from a ruthless enemy who ransacked more than half the village, burning 19 buildings, executing one inhabitant and wounding another."
"^60th anniversary of the liberation of the Jura."