Le Rosemont and La Roche d'Or via the Combe de l'Œillet

Car park at the end of the Chemin sous les Vignes de Rognon cul-de-sac. Yellow markings, trail running and some unmarked sections.

(S/E) Climb the wooded hillside to the left via the path before the metal gate. At post 46b, you’ll join a stony track which you follow down to the left (towards the town centre), soon reaching a small tarmac road at a hairpin bend. Head up to the right onto Chemin du Fort de Rosemont. 150 m further up, when the path turns right at the rocks on the verge, climb up the rocky path to the right (trail markings). Ignore a path leading down to the right. You will soon reach a small stony track.

(1) Continue the climb along the path opposite, route No. 4. At the top, at a fork, take the path on the left, keeping an eye out for the signpost and the gravel road nearby. Climb to the right, up to the next signpost (No. 44b) nearby, and you’ll soon reach a fork. Continue straight on, towards Fort de Rosemont.

(2) Walk round the building following the fence. At the back, head down, turning sharply left via the small log staircase which takes you to a new viewpoint over the new town of Planoise, the southern Doubs valley and the Besançon mountains, dominated by the massive, distant silhouette of Mont Poupet.

At the bench, head down towards the promontory opposite, then carefully follow the unmarked cliff-top path to the right, winding through the regrowing boxwood to reach a fork. Descend a few metres to the right for a view of Planoise.

(3) Turn back and continue straight on along a pretty path lined with flowers in spring. You’ll come to a stony path at a hairpin bend (marker 45). Head down to the right for about a hundred metres and, at marker post No. 44, take the log staircase leading down to the right towards the Combe de l’Œillet (towards Velotte). Turn right at the foot of the staircase. Cross the pasture to the pond. Continue straight on, heading towards the renovated shelter.

(4) Return to the pond and head right for about twenty steps (marker 43), then right again towards the Roche d’Or along the path running alongside the low stone wall. You will pass a new shelter. At a sign reading ‘Les paysages au fil du temps’, you’ll reach a fork in the path. Carefullyhead down to the left over a scree slope. Watch out for stones that may roll underfoot! You’ll arrive at the small tarmac road to Cras Rougeot.

(5) Turn left, following a hedge on your right. Continue to the next fork and turn right. Cross at the pedestrian crossing and head right, staying in the lane reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. At the last house (no. 38), by the signpost, climb up to La Roche d’Or via the path on the right.

(6) At the top, after a log ladder, climb very, very carefully (slippery rocks, little space at the top to turn around) towards the viewpoint over Rosemont. At the house, turn left to join the Chemin du Champ Melin (tarmac road), which you follow to the right. Take the first path on the right to rejoin Chemin du Cras Rougeot, which you follow for about 100 metres to the right until you reach house no. 34 (signpost no. 31b).

(7) Climb up to the left towards the corner of the house and continue along the stony path. You enter the woods and, at the corner where two piles of stone gathered from fields meet, turn sharply left at the fork. You’ll reach a wider path (signpost no. 33d), then head down to the left towards La Malcombe to arrive at the start of the ‘Les sentiers de Chaudane et de Rosemont’ walks.

(8) Take the path to the right of the signpost, which climbs up the hillside. You will soon come to the pretty little Combe de l’Œillet, the pond, the first shelter and marker post 43, which you passed on the way out.

(4) Head straight down, noting an old stone well on your right. At the first houses (marker 42), turn sharp left onto Chemin de l’Œillet. There’s a bit of tarmac, but you’ll certainly appreciate these houses tucked away in the greenery of our city, which knows how to embrace its rural side. Go past Chemin de la Vosselle to rejoin Chemin sous les Vignes de Rognon, which you follow to the left until you reach the car park. (S/E)

Despite its urban appearance, this walk requires sure-footedness to navigate these beautiful trails and steep scree slopes, which can sometimes be tricky for the ankles. The route includes ledge paths and unsecured viewpoints. Trails are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and the use of walking poles is recommended.