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Park in the centre of the village of Mont-de-Laval in the school car park (if possible during term time), or on the grassy areas, or in front of the old fountain, which is the starting point for the walks. Good quality yellow and blue signposting.
(S/E) Start at the old fountain, signposted "Circuits Pédestres du Doubs". Head towards "Consolation - La Roche du Prêtre", with your back to the church, passing in front of the school and the old weighbridge. Just before the village exit, at the triangular intersection, turn right towards "Consolation". At the next fork, turn left onto the small tarmac road which quickly becomes stony and winds through the pastures. You are guaranteed to hear the sound of cowbells and enjoy views of La Roche du Prêtre.
(1) At the end of a small pine forest, the gravel disappears and you enter a clearing. Follow the edge and you will soon come to a signpost, somewhat hidden in the vegetation, which marks the start of a path. Ignore it for now and continue along the edge of the woods towards the Chauve Roche viewpoint, which offers a superb view of the Cirque de Consolation and its old seminary.
Return to the signpost (1) and this time take the path on the left towards "Consolation, Boucle n°1". This is a pretty path winding through a cool pine forest.
(2) At the stony path, continue downhill to the left. Ignore a path that climbs up to the right 300 metres further down.
(3) Caution: Read the note in Practical Information
This part of the route requires caution.
- At the next intersection, despite the sign (on a leaning tree) telling you to continue downhill to the right on the same stony path, take six or seven steps onto the path that climbs to the left and, when you reach a large fir tree, take the small unmarked path on the right that leads to the Source Noire platform. Carefully descend along the beautiful rocks. You will find the signposts again.
- At the foot of a large rock, the path disappears into the grass. Look for the trail on the left that passes between two mossy trees and approaches the stream bed. Ignore the footbridge that leads to the Grande Grotte and continue straight ahead. At the "Les Récompenses" trail junction, turn left towards "Grande Cascade, Roche Sainte-Catherine".
(4) At the next fork, at the foot of a footbridge, go up to the left for a round trip to the Grande Cascade and the bottom of the valley.
(5) Retrace your steps and turn left towards "Belvédère Sainte-Catherine". 200 metres further up, look for and climb up to the right. Be careful, as the signpost is not at the intersection but a little further up.
(6) When the path begins to descend, you will see a signpost on the left, hidden in the vegetation, but you should look to the right for the path that descends to the Sainte-Catherine viewpoint above the old seminary and the valley. Return to the path and descend to the right until you reach the tarmac road (unmarked section).
Go down to the right until the first bend and continue downhill on the path to the right of the metal rail. At the house, turn right and follow the fence.
(7) You will arrive at the former Consolation seminary, which charges an entrance fee. Turn left towards the old grain mill and, if it is open, go through the building via the porch, which will lead you to the water wheel. If it is closed, you will have to go around the seminary and turn right towards the car parks. At the car park exit, turn right onto the D377, a quiet road with little traffic, and continue for 700 metres.
(8) Two hundred metres before a "Stop" sign, turn right onto the gravel road, crossing the Dessoubre. Continue straight ahead towards the edge of the woods, crossing the small strip of meadow, and you will see a path climbing up to the left.
(9) At the foot of a signpost, you will join an uphill path on the left. Turn right towards Laval Le Prieuré. Follow the long meadow to Laval-le-Prieuré, enjoying a beautiful view of the Roche du Miroir. At the first house, turn left (towards Entre Roche).
(10) Visit the priory, then go back up to the nearby town hall and turn left, going around the priory, with another beautiful view of the Roche du Miroir. Cross the D128 and go down the steep path towards Entre Roche. After a left turn, you will reach the Pissoux and some half-faded signs. Go up the stream on the right through a beautiful little wild and mossy valley, passing small waterfalls.
(11) Cross the Pissoux via a footbridge and begin the steeper climb. At the gravel road, turn right until the first bend. Continue climbing along the forest path that branches off 20 metres further on. Leave the poorly marked path that descends towards the stream and continue straight ahead through the beautiful pine forest along this well-marked path.
(12) Cross the D128 and continue straight ahead towards "Saut du Pissoux". The path immediately splits. Take the left towards the beautiful rocks and climb up a steep but superb path.
(13) At the top, at the marker post, you will come to a farm track running perpendicular to you. Go up to the right, ignoring the signposts. Quickly leave the path that descends to the left and, at the next fork, take the path climbing to the left. At the first houses in the village, turn right towards the church and the car park. Don't miss the farm opposite the church with its medieval Christ carved into the stone façade (S/E).
The route includes ledges and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Good footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
