Car park in Abbans-Dessus, in front of the cemetery, almost at the edge of the old village, towards Quingey. Markings: White-Red, Yellow-Blue, mountain bike symbols and some unmarked sections.
(S/E) Head towards the village centre, taking the time to visit the church. Walk along the castle walls and climb the small street on the left, at the foot of the keep. Pass under the old bridge and go round via the alleyway that leads to the castle entrance, then return to the main street, Rue Jouffroy d’Abbans.
(1) Head downhill to the left. Look out for a beautiful old house with a turret on the left, then leave the village by following the main road, enjoying views of the Doubs valley and the Besançon mountains.
(2) Take the first stony path on the right (marked for the Grand Tour de Besançon mountain bike route). After the metal barrier, at a fork, head down to the right. A little further down, the path forks. Take the path up to the left. When the path begins a new climb, it forks. Stay on this MTB route to the right. The path forks just before a rocky hillock. Head straight down to join, at a right angle, a wider forest track (marker).
(3) Head down to the right. Join a wider path at a right angle. Continue to the right, following the red and white markings to reach the stream at a refreshing rocky ford, where you can take a short break accompanied by the murmur of the water.
(4) Follow the stream upstream and soon cross it via a wooden footbridge (yellow and blue markings). Stay on this wide, stony path which begins to climb away from the stream. At the top, back in the meadows, you’ll reach a fork. Turn right to rejoin, at a right angle, the small tarmac road of La Grande Fin.
(5) Turn left into this peaceful little valley. The road becomes stony and enters the woods for a short while. Turn right at the next fork, leaving the mountain bike route for the yellow-red markings to the Montgardot War Memorial (on the left of the path).
(6) Retrace your steps a few paces and climb up to the left onto the wide stony path. After a steep climb, the path immediately begins to descend.
(7) Don’t miss the path that climbs the slope to the left to follow the ridge line. Continue straight on at the nearby fork. The path turns into a wider track leading you to the Signal mast (which once offered a viewpoint, now obscured by vegetation).
(8) Head down towards the village along the small road on the right, which offers a lovely view of Abbans. You will soon reach the cemetery and the car park (S/E).