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Park at the Rocher Canon car park, near the Route Ronde (D142). Start at the large clearing, by the information boards. A discreet sign marks the start of the Dénécourt trail no. 12 (blue markings).
(S/E) Walking away at a right angle from the road with your back to the car park, take the steps heading west. Barely 30m after the start of the steps, turn right following the blue markings. Follow the blue markings carefully as they zigzag between the rocks and the remarkable trees
(1) On a flat stretch, a large crossroads (parcels 855 and 863, Route de la Femme, Route Turbigo, Route du Sanglier) where the blue markings turn left. Leave the markings and continue straight on along the Route du Sanglier (south-west, unmarked). A stony path with a steep climb.
(2) At the next junction (plot 869), turn right (west) onto the Route Tournante des Longues Vallées, on level ground.
(3) At the second junction (Route de la Laie, sign for “Réserve biologique dirigée”), continue straight on along the flat road (west, then south) on the Route Tournante du Camp de Chailly (yellowish-green markings). At a junction (Route Tournante du Cuvier-Châtillon), the yellow-green markings turn left. Continue straight on towards the beautiful viewpoint at Camp de Chailly.
(4) Turn back, then turn right at the Y-junction. Turn right onto the Route de la Solitude, which leads downhill (at a wooden sign engraved with “Point de vue du Camp de Chailly”, somewhat hidden by vegetation; unmarked). Note the interesting quarry face on the left.
(5) At the bottom of the slope, you’ll come to a junction with the Route du Solitaire. Head left and follow theGR®® markings (white and red) uphill opposite. The path climbs, descends and zigzags between the rocks. Watch out for unexpected changes in direction.
(6) At a small crossroads, turn right at a right angle.
(7) In a sandy clearing, the markings turn sharply left; leave the markings and head right (south-west) onto the Route du Cuvier Châtillon. 50 m further on, take a faint path on the left that climbs between the rocks (unmarked; remains of old blue markings). Pass a large inscription on a rock reading “Reconnaissance (signed) Colinet”, then reach a natural tunnel marked with the blue letter “K”.
At the tunnel exit, follow the blue markings (Denecourt trail no. 5) to the left (east), which climbs then follows the edge of the plateau. Pass the Mare aux Canards.
About 250 m after this pond (I counted 390 steps), at a clearing on the edge of the plateau (photo) surrounded by pine trees, take a well-defined but unmarked path (North) at a right angle to the left. The path fades a little; continue in the same general northerly direction.
(8) A sign on a tree commemorates the Lothar and Martin storms of 1999: from here, head right, north-east.
(9) Pass Mare à Dagneau and, at the next junction, turn right onto Route de la Mare à Piat (east). Walk around this beautiful pond with its water lilies to reach Route du Cuvier Châtillon.
(10) Head right (east) towards the D142 (Route Ronde). Cross the road, taking care of cars approaching at high speed (caution).
(11) Opposite, head down towards the Grotte aux Cristaux. Continue eastwards on the left-hand branch of Chemin Denecourt No. 4 (blue markings) towards Rocher Saint-Germain.
(12) As the path winds its way between the interesting rocks of Rocher Saint-Germain, a white sign on the right-hand side of the path marks the start of connecting path no. 4–12. Follow this path, heading uphill to the left (north).
(13) At a crossroads, a new white sign indicates Chemin Denecourt No. 12. Take this to the left, towards Rocher Canon. From here, stay on the blue No. 12 markings until you reach the Table du Grand Maître, carved into the rock with its benches.
(14) The trail turns right at a right angle (north-east), moving away from the road.
At the next crossroads, continue left (west) along Route des Longues Vallées. This crosses the D142 again and continues straight ahead. 100 m further on, the trail turns right (Route du Roi, north-west) then left onto a path and leads to the interesting rock formations of Rocher Canon.
Still following the Denecourt Bleu No. 12 signposting, return to the Rocher Canon car park (S/E).
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