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Departure from the Arguel car park in the centre of the village.
(S/E) Head to the back of the car park to join the sandy path that leads to the old wash house on the left. 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 and blue cross on a low wall inviting you to turn back, climb the small path that leads up to the church. Take a quick look at the church and its cemetery. Go back up the path opposite the cemetery gate. At the fire hydrant, turn right onto the dead-end road, which becomes a pretty path climbing up the hillside (yellow-blue sign).
(1) At the Circuit des Grands Prés sign, continue right towards the viewpoint located 150 m away. You will quickly reach the first unprotected viewpoint overlooking Planoise. Be careful! There is another viewpoint over the Pugey valley and the Arguel hillside, and finally the viewpoint with a view of Mont Poupey. Turn back, but don't go all the way back to the sign. About 7 m from the sign, take the unmarked path on the right that climbs towards the ridge and winds its way between beautiful rocks. When the leaves fall, you will have a view of the Doubs valley on your right. This path leads to a clearing, which you should enter discreetly. I have often encountered a few chamois here in the morning. The clearing offers a beautiful view of the Fort de Planoise, the Rosemont and the village of Avanne.
(2) Cross the field in a straight line, at the end of which you should easily find a well-marked wooden path, which is sometimes hidden by ferns in certain seasons. In the hillsides, you may be lucky enough to spot a chamois. Turn left onto the D308 which climbs up to the hamlet of La Maltournée (in the commune of Larnod). Continue straight ahead towards the village
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(3) Opposite a very old house with unjoined stones, turn right onto a stony path and stay on it despite the sign for a marked trail on the right 300 m further on. At the start of the path, you will see traces left by the iron-rimmed wheels of our ancestors. Follow the yellow and red markings. The side paths will be blocked by crosses. You will cross the typical forest that crowns our limestone mountains around Besançon, accompanied by the scent of boxwood. Boxwood flowers and fruits regularly on these soils. The seeds are dispersed by the bursting of the fruits, so it is unable to disperse over long distances.
(4) Before diving onto the N83, listen for the sound of cars and turn left onto a small stony path that climbs perpendicularly through the boxwood trees. A sign will indicate the direction of the Rocher de Valmy, but it will be facing in the opposite direction to your arrival.
(5) You will come to a small esplanade with an altar and a cross, where masses are celebrated every year in memory of the resistance fighters who were shot. There is a table for picnics. Climb up to the Rocher de Valmy via the path that runs to the right of the altar. To take your mind off these sad events, take the time to admire the view of the valley, especially downstream where the Doubs river forms one of its most charming meanders.
Retrace your steps and take the paved path on the right that takes you back to the village of Larnod, then turn left onto the Route Royale with a beautiful view of the Planoise coast and Rosemont.
(6) Follow this royal road to the paved road, where you continue straight ahead.
(3) Pass the old house again and, 50 m further on, at the stop sign, turn right onto Chemin des Combards (yellow-blue sign).
(7) Where the path stops climbing, just before a small orchard on the right, take the unmarked path that climbs perpendicularly to the left, despite the yellow/blue cross on a pasture post that would like you to continue on Chemin des Combards. Ignore it and climb up to the left. This is indeed our way back!
After a bend, you will join the D142 in a curve. Follow it uphill for 150 m and, before the second bend, take the gravel path on the left, which is closed by a metal gate. Remember to close it behind you. You are now on the MTB circuit 114 (signpost on the right-hand post). Once again, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Doubs valley and beyond. The path disappears into a field. Continue along the fences. On the left, a gap with a paragliding take-off area offers a view of Avanne and Besançon. Be careful around the unprotected viewpoint!
(8) Go up the pasture diagonally (on your right, you will see Pugey and its old tulip-shaped bell tower) to reach the opposite edge, where you will easily find the opening of the path that will take you back to Arguel. Close the gate behind you and descend this pleasant forest path, following the signs for the VTT 114 cycle route. You will come to the sign for the Grands Prés circuit.
(1) Return to Arguel, passing in front of the church.
(9) Continue left to the last house in the village to discover an old Michelin plaque, then cross the small bridge, turning right to find the sandy path, the old wash house and the car park (S/E).
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