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Park in the car park opposite the stadium, at the top of the village of Montfaucon. Yellow-blue and yellow-red markings.
(S/E) Walk up Rue de la Comtesse Henriette, the path along the banks of the castle. On the right, you will see an old fountain and pump. When the road turns 90°, turn left onto the small tarmac road. Take a look at the valley and the castle ruins, then immediately turn right onto the stony path (Nacra trail). There is a lovely view of the Besançon mountains on the left. The path becomes a trail running alongside an old pile of stone gathered from fields on the right.
(1) At a fork, when the path begins to descend, take the left-hand path. The path becomes very steep (and sometimes slippery), winding its way between rocks and daffodils in early spring. View of the Doubs valley between the trees, still bare of leaves. At the bottom, you will reach another path; continue to the left.
(2) Shortly before reaching the tarmac road, a small path on the right will take you to the Fontaine de Janniet. Return to the trail. Shortly after the fountain, on the hillside to the left, you will see the remains of walls, probably the ruins of an old farm and its outbuildings. A small path on the left allows you to get closer. Finally, before the road, there is a small plateau on the right with a view of the valley and the Château de la Juive.
(3) At the road, descend to the right for about twenty metres and take the path that branches off to the right into the woods at a drainage ditch.
(4) When you reach the road again, go up a few metres to the left towards the bend and then take the path on the right that starts behind the safety barrier, immediately leaving the path that climbs to the left towards the walls. Enjoy more beautiful views of the Doubs valley, overlooked by the citadel. You will need to pass under a small metal barrier. You will come to a gravel path, then a tarmac road, which you follow downhill. At the give way sign, go down Rue de Saint-Fort to the village, passing under the railway bridge.
(5) At the stop sign, go up to the left to the church. Retrace your steps a little, then turn right into Impasse des Clos. After the small tunnel, go straight up the pedestrian path. Before it ends, turn right onto the gravel path. At the housing estate, pass between numbers 15 and 14, continuing along the footpath. You will arrive at Rue du Lieutenant Vallet and turn right. After number 27, turn left, taking the log staircase that runs along the fence. At the top of the stairs, turn right until you reach the stop sign and turn left towards Montfaucon.
(6) About ten metres before the "La Glacière" bus stop, turn left onto the tarmac path that climbs towards the garage door of the house. This is not private property and a few metres before the door, you will see the pretty cliff path climbing up to the left.
(7) You will arrive at a 360° viewpoint over the Saône plain and the Doubs valley with the pretty line of the Besançon mountains: Bregille, the citadel, Chaudanne and Rosemont. Set off again along the cliff path that extends beyond the metal barrier. Be careful on the way down, as the path can be slippery and runs alongside a small ravine. At the tarmac road of Chemin Stratégique, turn right towards Montfaucon. At the intersection, turn right until you reach the roundabout at the school complex, then left to the car park (S/E).
Trails may be slippery in places after rain. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
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