From Dessoubre to Roche du Miroir

Parking at Gigot, opposite the hotel-restaurant, signposted as the start of the hike. Yellow and blue markings.

(S/E) Cross the Reverotte, heading towards Plaimbois-du-Miroir. Immediately leave the hiking trail on your right to cross the Dessoubre bridge. Gigot is the confluence of the two rivers. Then turn left onto the beautiful stone path that runs alongside the Dessoubre to Le Val.

(1) Halfway to Le Val, at the first fork, take the path on the left which leads to a charming dam.

(2) Shortly after the first house in Le Val and before the footbridge, turn right into the meadow, passing through the small ladder in the fence. Climb diagonally to the right, towards the isolated fir tree. You will find another ladder and a path to climb the wooded hillside. You will soon come to a stony path; continue climbing up the path opposite (towards Plaimbois). You will come to another stony path, which you climb up to the right for about 50 metres.

(3) Be careful! At a rocky outcrop on your left, look for the sign on the ground indicating that you should climb left up the path that leads into the woods. The path widens to form a wider farm track and joins a rough stone path that you climb on the left, then quickly turn right at the next fork. Then stay on this path, which climbs up to Plaimbois-du-Miroir.

(4) At the signpost at the junction with the main road, turn right towards Départ sentier - Roche du Miroir. At the village exit, at the calvary, continue straight ahead along the gravel road. After the road widens, look for a green metal sign marked Pays Horloger and a signpost on your left. Continue along the stony path for another 50 metres or so, then turn right for a short detour to the viewpoint over the Reverotte valley.

Return to the marker post and head into the woods along the path that climbs towards the rock on the right, towards Route 43. You will immediately come to a picnic table. You will pass a marker post and leave (for now) the path on the right that descends into the valley and continue to the viewing platform.

(5) From the top of the Roche du Miroir, you can admire the Dessoubre valley, which is overlooked in places by high cliffs, home to chamois and peregrine falcons. Look out for the old Priory of Laval in the valley below. Return to the signpost and descend to the left into the fir forest. A little further down, when the path turns right, you can continue very carefully straight ahead along the small track for a hundred metres or so along the ledges (despite the yellow and blue cross). Be careful, as the path is close to the edge of the cliff, and turn back when the path ends (about 100 metres from where I was). There are places to stop for a bite to eat at the edge of the rocks, offering a wilder view than the more civilised viewpoint. You will come to a beautiful stone road, which you follow down to the left.

(6) As you leave the pine forest, you will come to a crossroads in an open area. Go down to the right (towards Gigot).

(7) Further down, when the path turns right, look for the path that descends to the left in a grassy area (the marker post is loose and rests on a tree and may be hidden by foliage or lying on the ground). You will come to a beautiful gravel road which you follow downhill for about 50 metres on the left, then leave for the path (marker post) which plunges into the pine forest on the right.

(8) At the departmental road, descend to the right. This is the only slight downside (asphalt) of this beautiful walk. However, the road is quiet and offers beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains. At the D20 and D39 intersection, continue straight downhill to the car park (S/E).

The route includes cliff paths and unsecured viewpoints. Rocky and slippery paths in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.

After the point (5), do not go more than 100 metres along the cliff path, where, when I passed, the path ended. However, animals (or careless hikers) may have extended it. Going any further is dangerous.