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Arguel car park in the centre of the village. Markings: yellow-blue, white-red, trail markers and some unmarked sections.
(S/E) Head to the far end of the car park to join the sandy path which leads off to the left towards the old wash house. Cross the footbridge and take a look to the left, at the façade of one of the last houses, to see the old Michelin sign. Follow the D111 local road up to the dead end, the Chemin des Perchereaux, which quickly turns to a stony track. On the left is the rocky outcrop where the feudal castle of Arguel once stood. The path veers sharply to the left, beginning a steep descent.
(1) At the bottom, you’ll come across a path at right angles to the road. Turn left, leaving the signposted route. You’ll soon reach a fork. Head down to the right along the path that leads towards the Ruisseau de la Pisseur, which has carved out some lovely little gorges, and follow it carefully along the steep path: the stones, which are always damp, are slippery! After a few metres’ descent, don’t miss the path on the left leading down to the stream, where you’ll discover the gorge’s exit in the form of a waterfall. You’ll emerge from the woods at the top of a pasture, which you’ll cross towards the gate below. Don’t wander off into the pasture – the path is on communal land, but the meadow is private. About thirty metres before the gate, turn sharply left, then follow the stream to reach the bottom of a pretty little valley where the Pisseur will treat you to the charm of its two waterfalls. Stop at the first one. A path leads to the second one, but be careful: whilst the climb seems easy, the way back looks rather treacherous to me! Return to the gate. After the gate, carry on straight ahead until you reach a small clearing.
(2) Before the footbridge, take a quick detour down the small cobbled lane opposite to have a look at the old wash house. Return to the small square and turn right onto the Chemin de la Pisseur. At the corner of No. 1, turn right and at No. 2, continue along the stony path that runs alongside the stream. At Rue de l’Étang, turn left towards the village centre. You’ll pass the Lucien Roy Museum. Cross Rue de Besançon carefully and continue along Rue de la République. Stop off at Saint-Hippolyte Church to admire the medieval statue of Saint Vernier.
(3) Continue a little further along Rue de la République, then turn left into Rue du Château Muguet, climbing the steps. Cross the D141, continue up the few steps opposite, then head right up Rue du Sinaï. Cross the D141 again and turn right onto the D308 towards La Maltournée.
(4) After the last house, take the path on the right which overlooks the valley. At the top, you’ll come to a stony track; take this to the left to reach the hamlet. Then head down to the left as far as the last houses and carry on straight ahead along the D308 (towards Beure). Two hundred metres further down, climb the wooded hillside via the forest track that opens up to your right.
(5) At the pasture – which you’ll likely be able to enter quietly, with a good chance of spotting a few chamois in the morning – follow the edge of the pasture for about fifty metres to the left to find the narrow path, hidden behind a fallen tree trunk. After about twenty steps, the path branches off into the scree to the right. Take great care: the path leading down to the unsecured Chère promontory, which can be slippery at certain times of year, runs close to the edge of the cliffs. Stay on the grassy part of the promontory. Return to the pasture and cross it in a straight line from one side to the other to find, at the opposite edge, a clearing and a path leading uphill. At the next pasture, carry on straight ahead, following the edge on your right-hand side until you reach the paragliding take-off area (unsecured), which offers views of Avanne and Besançon. Take care near the unprotected viewpoint!
(6) Head diagonally left across the pasture to reach the opposite edge, where you’ll easily spot the start of the path that will take you back to Arguel (marked with mountain bike and trail signs). Close the gate behind you and you’ll soon come to a fork in the path. Turn left, once again leaving the signposted route behind to follow this pleasant path along the steep ridge. After a large, rounded rock on the left, you’ll reach another path which you follow down to the right for a few metres, coming to a junction where several paths meet. Continue straight on along Routes 7 and 9.
(7) You’ll soon reach your first unprotected viewpoint over Planoise. Take care! You’ll soon reach a fork in the path and the rocky spur overlooking Arguel, offering a view of the Jura Mountains, particularly Mont Poupet. Leave the trail route and proceed carefully along the ledge path on the right, which runs right at the edge of the precipice in places, dotted with further viewpoints and a few remains of the castle. At a small hollow and a fork in the path, climb the small hill carefully (the path runs along the edge of the cliffs) to the tip of the promontory for a superb 180°-plus view of Besançon and its hills, and the Mercureaux valley.
(8) Retrace your steps to the small hollow at the fork in the paths and turn right towards the Doubs valley. You’ll come across a path at a right angle, which you take to the right. After the descent to the foot of some beautiful rock formations, you’ll soon come across the trail markings, which direct you down the hillside to the right. At the small hut, turn right. You’ll pass the picturesque little church of Saint-Hippolyte. At the corner of the cemetery, head down to the left along the path leading to the village and the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
