Park at the Maison Forestière du Haut Donon (large car park), shortly after the pass of the same name, on the D993 road towards the German military cemetery (north-east).
Multiple signposts (including Blue Cross and Red Rectangle)
(S/E) Take the small road heading south-east towards Le Donon") and pass a house with a clearly visible blue rendering. The path then makes a wide right-hand loop, first climbing between meadows and then into the forest. Reach a forest road on a flat area.
Blue Cross markings
(1) A path leads off opposite towards the summit of the Donon: do not follow this path (which will be used on the return journey) but take a few steps to the left and then turn right onto a path parallel to the previous one, heading towards Schirmeck via the Col des Deux Donons. Stay on this main path, ignoring the side paths. Initially under forest, the terrain becomes clearer as the climb progresses, which is very gradual with a few false-flat sections.
Red Rectangle markings
(2) At a fork in the road, with the summit of Petit Donon clearly in sight, turn right up the path (while the left-hand path descends) and pass a cross-country ski trail sign.
(3) When the path heads due south, turn right at an acute angle onto a steeper path (the path is inconspicuous; look out for the arrow indicating the change of direction on a tree on the left-hand side of the path). After a few hairpin bends, find a wider path. Follow this to the right for about a hundred metres, then turn left to pick up a path that winds upwards. Reach a natural rock shelter (sign). Turn right before the shelter and you will soon reach the Donon orienteering table. Continue as far as the temple, which is clearly in view.
(4) Cross the temple to reach a rock platform with another orientation table. Then head for the telecommunications tower, which is clearly visible to the south-west. The path leading to it can be reached in two ways:
- when you are on the western platform, go down a stone staircase on the right as you look towards the temple, then take the path around the platform to the left;
- when you are between the eastern orientation table and the temple, take the path around the temple to the right.
Heading south-west, descend the wide path (with a few sandstone steps) to the flat area where the telecommunications pylon stands.
(5) Go around the pylon area to the left and make a left hairpin turn onto a steep paved path. Just before you reach a road below, turn right down a flight of stone steps. Cross the road and take a woodland path opposite. The path soon gives way to a track that runs downhill around the top of the pylon. Turn sharp left onto the path and continue downhill until you reach a crossroads that you used on the outward journey.
Multiple markings (including Blue Cross and Red Rectangle)
(1) Continue south down into the undergrowth, then turn right. At a fork in the road, take the right-hand path along the edge of the meadow. Go past the house with the blue rendering and return to the starting point (S/E).