See Practical Information. Besançon, France's first green city, surrounded by wooded hills, is a city in the countryside. This route, from the Malcombe sports complex to Fort de Planoise, will convince you. You will climb picturesque and peaceful paths to two belvederes and cabordes, dry stone huts that bear witness to a time when vineyards stretched across our hillsides.
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Parking is available in front of the Malcombe multipurpose hall. There are signposts at the junctions, but part of the route is unmarked.
(S/E) Set off on the cycle path alongside the football pitch. At Chemin de Montoile, cross the tunnel to the right, then immediately turn right onto the forest path. At the electricity substation, climb the log staircase on the left. You will come to a path; take it to the left for about 30 metres until you reach the fork.
(1) At marker post No. 164, climb up to the right. At the new fork nearby, descend to the right (towards Avanne). Continue straight up the hill, quickly passing a log staircase on your right. At the wooden benches, continue straight ahead, passing a path that climbs to the left and another that descends to the right. Descend to the right along the small tarmac road until you reach the first house in Avanne.
(2) Immediately after the metal barrier, turn sharply left to find the path climbing along No. 22. You will come to a path (red number 45 on a yellow background).
(3) Go up to the left along this well-marked path which climbs diagonally up the hillside. A little further up, there is a fork in the path; continue climbing along the right-hand path. After a small plateau, at the crossroads of paths, climb up to the right at a 90° angle to the fortifications, leaving a path on your left at a cairn. At the corner of the first fortification, take a look at the row of casemates opposite.
(4) Turn right onto the stony path. You will walk along the top of a fortification. At the end, turn right onto a small path that leads to two rounded entrances. Carefully descend into the one on the left. As you exit, the path forks. Take the right-hand path, where walkers' footsteps have carved steps into the damp earth. You will arrive at the paragliding launch area.
(5) After enjoying the magnificent, unsecured view of the Doubs valley and the Jura mountains, turn your back on the viewpoint and turn right towards a small concrete bench. Take the trench path that runs along a low wall on your right. You will pass in front of the other end of the row of casemates. Continue straight ahead to reach the picnic area.
At the table, turn left, passing between two other tables. At the marker post, go to the other side of the embankment, then follow it on your right towards a new table, then the left end of the metal fence that borders the ditches. Follow the ditch on your right to reach the entrance to the fort.
At the semi-circular car park, take the small path that will lead you to a splendid viewpoint over the Besançon mountains.
(6) Return to the entrance to the fort and set off again along the small tarmac road. Turn left onto the nearby stone path, going around the metal barrier. Then quickly, at the signpost, go down to the right towards Les Équegney.
(7) Be careful! A little further down, don't miss the log steps on the right (which may be hidden under leaves) that lead to the Équegney cabordes. About ten steps after the steps, the path forks. Continue straight ahead, passing two staircases. At the last one, turn left for a few metres to a first caborde. Go down to the second one. Then go back up the path on the left. You will pass a third caborde without a roof. You will pass a bench and, at the fork, go down to the right. Soon, you will come to another fork in the trail. Climb up to the left (towards Rosemont).
(1) You will find marker post No. 164 and return to the tunnel via the arrival path. Continue straight ahead on Chemin de Montoile and, at the end of the baseball field, turn left. Turn right at the football field and go around the sports fields. Then turn left to return to the front of the multipurpose hall (S/E).
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