The Château d’Arguel viewpoint

Arguel car park in the centre of the village. Yellow-blue markings; some sections are unmarked.

(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. Walk up the lawn towards the road, cross it carefully at the pedestrian crossing and, at the corner of the house opposite – despite a Yellow Cross and Blue Cross on a low wall suggesting you turn back – take the small path leading up to the church. Take a quick look around the church and its cemetery. Walk back up the path opposite the cemetery gate. At the fire hydrant, turn right onto the dead-end road, which becomes a lovely path climbing up the hillside (yellow-and-blue signpost).

(1) At the ‘Route des Grands Prés’ sign, continue to the right – despite the Yellow Cross and Blue Cross – towards the viewpoint 300 metres away. You’ll soon reach a first unprotected viewpoint overlooking Planoise. Take care! There is another viewpoint over the Pugey valley, the Arguel hillside and the Jura mountains, in particular the Poupet. Continue carefully along the cliff-top path, 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, where you’ll find a superb 180°-plus view of Besançon and its hills, and the Mercureaux Valley.

(2) Head back to the small hollow at the fork in the path, then turn right towards the Doubs Valley. You’ll come to a path; walk about ten steps to the right for another view. Then turn round and head straight on, this time following the ledges on the river side. You’ll pass beneath a wall. Unfortunately, this is all that remains of this feudal site. Complete the circular route by returning to the first viewpoint and head back towards the signpost without quite reaching it. About 10 steps from the signpost, take the unmarked path on the right which climbs towards the ridge and winds its way through beautiful rock formations. At the time of the autumn leaf fall, you’ll have a view of the Doubs valley to your right.

This path leads you to a clearing which you should enter discreetly. I have often come across a few chamois there in the morning. The clearing offers a fine view of Planoise Fort, Rosemont and the village of Avanne. Cross this pasture diagonally, heading towards its far right-hand end. Step over the rickety barbed wire to find the path that descends towards a promontory overlooking the valley. After about twenty steps, the path veers off into the scree on the right. Take great care: 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. Avoid this route in very wet weather. Stay on the grassy part of the promontory. Head back up to the pasture.

(3) Walk along the edge to the right for a good fifty paces and take the farm track on the right which descends through a lovely forest overlooked by the cliffs. At the D308, head left up towards the hamlet of La Maltournée. Pass the first road on your left and, at the stop sign, turn left onto the Chemin des Combards (yellow-blue signpost). Where the path stops climbing, just before a small orchard on the right, take the unmarked path that climbs steeply to the left, despite the Yellow Cross and Blue Cross on a pasture post that would rather you carried on along the Chemin des Combards. Ignore it and head up to the left. This is indeed our way back! After a bend, you’ll join the D142 at a hairpin bend; follow this road uphill for 150 metres before taking the stony track on the left just before the second bend. This track is closed off by a metal gate, which you mustn’t forget to close behind you.

(4) You are now on the VTT114 route (signpost on the right-hand post). Once again, there’s a lovely view over the Doubs valley and beyond. The path disappears into a field. Carry on along the fences. Head down to the left towards a clearing – a paragliding launch site offering views of Avanne and Besançon. Take care near the unprotected viewpoint!

(5) Head diagonally up the pasture (on your right, a view of Pugey and its old tulip-shaped bell tower) to reach the opposite edge, where you’ll easily spot the start of the path that will take you back to Arguel. Once again, there’s a gate which you close behind you; at the fork, head down to the right along this pleasant forest path, continuing to follow the markers for mountain bike route 114. You’ll come to the sign for the Grands Prés route.

(1) Turn right and head back into Arguel, passing the church once more. Continue left to the last house in the village to see an old Michelin sign, then cross the small bridge, turning right to rejoin the sandy path, the old wash house and the car park (S/E).

For experienced walkers only. Avoid in wet weather. The route includes ledge paths and unsecured viewpoints. Not suitable for children, or for walkers who are unsteady on their feet or suffer from vertigo. In such cases, at point (1), stop 300 metres away at the second viewpoint overlooking Pugey and turn back. And at point (3), do not descend towards the headland. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential, and walking poles are required – remove the rubber tips before reaching the Chère headland.
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Take care between points (1) and (2); in some places, the path runs very close to the cliffs.

(3) Take great care at the Chère headland: the path can be slippery and runs close to the edge of the cliffs.