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Arguel car park in the centre of the village. Yellow-Blue, White-Red and trail markings, with some unmarked sections.
(S/E) Head to the far end of the car park to join the sandy path which leads left to the old wash house. Cross the footbridge and take a look to the left, at the façade of one of the last houses, at the old Michelin sign. Follow the D111 road up to the dead end, the Chemin des Perchereaux, which quickly turns to gravel. On the left is the rocky outcrop where the feudal castle of Arguel once stood. The path veers sharply left, beginning a steep descent.
(1) At the bottom, you’ll come across a path at a right angle. Head 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 public but the field 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 return journey looks rather perilous to me! Return to the gate. After the gate, continue straight on 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 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, continuing up the few steps opposite, then climb to the right into Rue du Sinaï. Cross the D141 again and head up to the right onto the D308 towards La Maltournée.
(4) After the last house, take the path on the right overlooking the valley. At the top, you’ll reach a stony path which you follow to the left to reach the hamlet. Then head down to the left to the last houses and continue straight on along the D308 (towards Beure). Two hundred metres further down, climb the wooded hillside via the forest track on your right.
(5) At the pasture, which you will likely enter quietly and where you have a good chance of spotting a few chamois in the morning, follow the edge for about fifty metres to the left to find the small path, hidden behind a fallen tree trunk. Exercise great caution: the path leading down to the unsecured Chère promontory, which is 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 across its width to discover, on the opposite edge, a clearing and a path leading uphill. At the new pasture, continue straight on, following the edge on your right until you reach the paragliding launch site (unsecured), which offers a view of Avanne and Besançon. Take care near the unprotected viewpoint!
(6) Head diagonally up the pasture to the left to reach the opposite edge, where you’ll easily spot the start of the path leading back to Arguel (marked with MTB and Trail signs). Close the gate behind you and you’ll soon come to a fork. Head left, once again leaving the markings behind to follow this pleasant path along the steep ridge. After a large, rounded rock on the left, you’ll reach a new track which you follow down to the right for a few metres, coming to a junction of several paths. Continue straight on along routes 7 and 9.
(7) Soon, you’ll reach your first unprotected viewpoint over Planoise. Take care! You will soon reach a fork 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 close to the edge in places, dotted with further viewpoints and some 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° view of Besançon and its hills, and the Mercureaux valley.
(8) Retrace your steps to the small dip at the fork in the paths and turn right towards the Doubs valley. You’ll come to a path at a right angle, which you take to the right. After the descent to the foot of some beautiful rocks, you’ll soon come across the trail markings inviting you to head 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 that leads you towards the village and the car park (S/E).
For experienced hikers only. The route includes ledge paths and unsecured viewpoints. Rocky and slippery paths. Not to be attempted in wet or snowy conditions.
Visorando Member
Easy 
