Parking at the church in Châtillon-le-Duc. Hiking trails but with virtually no markings. Traces of yellow-blue markings, sometimes red crosses and blue stripes.
(S/E) Walk past the church square and climb the stairs to reach the viewpoint to the south. Go back down and turn left into Rue de la Combe Poichin, passing in front of the town hall and turning left onto the gravel path, Rue des Fontaines. You will soon come to a fork. Turn right down the shaded path running alongside the pasture.
(1) At the next fork, turn right into the woods (blue strip). Descend into a beautiful forest and when you reach a clearing, continue straight ahead, passing in front of the Hermitage dating from 1627.
(2) When the road becomes tarmac, go up to the right, passing the sign for the Biological Reserve. At a wooden bench, you will come to meadows with views of the peaceful, rural Ognon valley. At the fork, go up to the right and continue along this stony path. You will cross a small clearing.
(3) The gravel path quickly re-enters the woods, crossing a forest path that descends to the left. Follow this path for about 60 metres and climb up the beautiful trail on the right.
(4) After a steep climb, you will arrive at a crossroads of paths. Carefully turn left towards the unsecured viewpoint overlooking the Dame Blanche and the valley. Set off again along the path on the left. Walk carefully along the ledges. You will come to an old dry stone wall and a circular section at the edge of the ledge, reminiscent of the base of an old caborde (a stone hut commonly found on the heights of the Mont Blanc mountains).
(5) You will come to a gravel road at a hairpin bend, which you will follow uphill for a short distance. The markings continue along this forest road, but I strongly recommend taking the beautiful path along the ledges that climbs to the left. This is an old hiking trail with yellow and blue markings that are still clearly visible (in some places there are red crosses).
Be careful not to confuse it with the wider path on the left a little earlier. Continue carefully along the ridge with beautiful views over the Ognon valley. Stay as close as possible to the ledge, walking along the ridge at a distance with beautiful views over the Oignon valley. When it meets the road, continue along the path.
(6) You will reach the forest road, which you will follow for about 50 metres. After signs no. 40 and 18, take the cliff path on the left to the viewpoint (619 m) over the Ognon valley and, on the far right, the Vosges peaks (Hohneck, Ballon de Servance, Ballon d'Alsace and Grand Ballon).
(7) With your back to the valley, descend about 20 metres and turn left, passing in front of some ruins, then descend a small staircase in front of the entrance to the fort. Return below the viewpoint and continue along the gravel path.
(5) The stony road turns left, but take the first path on the right after the sign. You will soon come to a fork. Go down to the left. Continue straight ahead on this stony path.
Be careful! The stones can roll underfoot. You will cross a small clearing and come out onto a beautiful stone path. Turn left onto the tarmac road and continue for about 50 metres.
(8) Turn right onto the beautiful gravel path that passes in front of a water tower.
(9) About 50 metres further on, don't miss the path that leads into the woods on the right (forest signs 15 and 16). Immediately turn left at the nearby fork onto the wider path. Stay on this path, which widens and comes to a fork. Continue to the right. The path becomes stony. Continue straight ahead and you will soon see the bell tower and arrive at the car park. (S/E)
The route includes cliff-top paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.