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Parking behind the church in Les Planches-près-Arbois, Rue Claude Simon. White, red and yellow markings.
(S/E) Turn right as you leave the car park and continue straight ahead on the D339 until the first bend nearby. Take a few steps onto the stony path (sign hidden by foliage) and immediately climb the wooded hillside via the path on the left. Cross the D469 with caution and continue climbing via the path opposite.
(1) At the top, after a pretty little passage between the rocks, at the Chemin Bouvenot signpost (505m), the path turns sharply to the left. Be careful! Do not continue along this wide path, but look for a small path climbing up the rocks on the left (yellow-red markings set back from the path and not very visible) at the end of this small bend. After a while, the path turns left and, a little further on, joins a stony road which you take on the left. Cross a small clearing and continue along the beautiful stony path opposite.
(2) Quite close by, at the signpost marked "Forêt d'Arbois", turn left onto the forest track at the corner of a fir tree plantation, heading towards Le Fer à Cheval. Take the small stony road on the left. Just before the stop sign, climb up the path on the right. Soon after, at the crossroads (white, red and yellow cross), climb up the hillside on the path on the left.
(3) After descending through a beautiful fir forest, you will come to another path perpendicular to the one you are on. Turn left onto this path. Soon, at a fork, keep right on the wider path leading to the D469. Cross carefully to reach the Fer-à-cheval inn and the viewpoint.
(4) Leave the viewpoint on the right (facing the valley). At the "Monts Denon" signpost, leave the woods and turn left towards La Châtelaine. Quickly, at the fork with the "Circulation Interdite" sign, climb up to the right onto the beautiful cliff-top path, following the edge of the valley until you reach the sunny viewpoint of the Monts Denon.
(5) At the first house in La Châtelaine, turn right towards the centre of the village. If you continue straight ahead along the path, you will reach the path to the ruins below the church, but you will miss out on crossing this quiet village with its beautiful old houses. At the crossroads, pass the statue of the Virgin Mary until you reach the Place de la Liberté, a small triangular grassy square. Turn right towards a "travail" (work) for shoeing oxen.
(6) Return to the square and continue along Grande Rue. A little further on, on the left, you will see a beautiful old house with a stone staircase. Continue to the open church. Don't miss the old wooden statues nestled high above the entrance. At the church, turn left onto the path that runs alongside the wall. You will soon see a sign for "Belvédère" inviting you to turn left down the stony path.
(7) At the crossroads, marked by the signpost "Belvédère de la Châtelaine", go straight up for a return trip to the viewpoint. Turn back and head right towards the castle ruins.
(8) You will arrive at the entrance, perhaps skirting the remains of the keep. Descend towards a square building that is still in good condition and offers an unsecured viewpoint over the beautiful arched cliffs. Keep a safe distance as you are on the edge of a precipice.
(9) Retrace your steps a few metres and continue along the wide path that runs alongside the archaeological excavations on your right and climb back up to the castle entrance.
(8) At the gate, immediately descend the path on the right (wooden sign "Les Planches"). Be careful, as the path is close to the cliffs. Also take care when passing through the cleared area under the high-voltage power lines, as the path crosses a very steep slope. It then winds its way beautifully between picturesque rocks.
(10) You will arrive at a much wider path with a signpost marked "Vieux Mont", which you follow down to the right until you reach the village. Look up at the ruins on the cliff face. The finely graveled path can be slippery.
(11) At the pretty little Fontaine des Planches fountain, turn left towards the waterfall. There is a beautiful house on the left with inscriptions dating from 1724. The path becomes stony and at the fork marked by a signpost, go down to the right towards the superb Cascade des Tufs waterfall.
(12) Go back a few steps to the start of the waterfall and climb the steep slope on the right for a few metres to reach the top of the waterfall, using the natural steps formed by the roots. There is a risk of slipping even in dry weather. This is likely to be very difficult to climb in wet weather. Continue along the Cuisance to see numerous charming waterfalls and pools. You will arrive at a small meadow, looking up at the beautiful rocks. Go to the end of the valley until you reach a small footbridge.
(13) Turn back towards the waterfall, this time taking the wide path.
(12) Pass the waterfall again and cross the Cuisance via the footbridge. At the signpost marked "Les Combettes", turn right towards the village. You will pass behind the Moulin de la Mère Michelle with its pretty waterfall, then soon rejoin Rue Claude Simon, which will take you back to the car park (S/E).
The route includes ledges and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended. Only attempt in dry weather. This hike is not suitable for young children.
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
Association / Club / Walk leader
