The Cabordes Trail

Parking at Chemin de Cras Rougeot, opposite the greenhouses, at the start of the "Les sentiers de Chaudane et de Rosemont" hikes. Yellow markings.

(S/E) Return to the tarmac road and turn right until you reach the first house. At the signpost, climb the hill via the path on the right, towards "Rosemont". After a few log steps, you will reach a wider stone path which you take to the right to discover, fifty metres away, the viewpoint over the new town of Planoise and the Doubs valley to the south.

(1) After the viewpoint, continue climbing towards Fort de Rosemont along the same path. At the next bend, the path crosses a trail. Climb up the path on the right, ignoring the yellow cross and leaving the marked trail. The path can be very slippery in wet weather. Stay on this wide path until you reach the stone path at a bend. Continue climbing to the right, quickly arriving at a fork. Continue straight ahead towards "Fort de Rosemont".

(2) You will arrive at the ruins of the fort. Walk around the building, following the fence. At the back, descend by turning left onto the small path that leads to a new , unsecured viewpoint over the valley. At the bench, descend towards the promontory opposite, then carefully follow the beautiful, unmarked cliff path to the right, winding through the box trees.

You will arrive at the top of the first viewpoint without reaching it.

(1) At the fork in the paths, go left, finding a perpendicular path that you will climb to the left. You will find the stone path again at a hairpin bend. Descend to the right for about a hundred metres and, at the signpost, take the log staircase that descends to the right towards the Combe de l'Œillet (towards Velotte). Cross the pasture to the pond. Turn left and walk about twenty steps.

(3) At the signpost, you will see the first caborde (stone shelter) in the open space on your right. Return to the signpost and climb up to the right towards Roche d'Or. You will pass another renovated caborde and descend carefully down a scree slope. Be careful of stones that may roll underfoot! The path will be difficult and stony, but it follows a picturesque ridge with beautiful views. Take care on the steps leading down.

(4) You will reach Rue de Cras Rougeot, which you will follow to the right, towards Saint-Ferjeux. Do not worry about the next signpost, which is very close by, but at the first right-hand bend (Les Vallières electrical transformer), leave the street and take the stony path on the left that runs alongside houses Nos. 35 and 37. The path becomes grassy and crosses orchards. You will discover a small piece of market garden countryside a stone's throw from Planoise, still preserved from urbanisation. At the last house, turn left onto Chemin du Champ Melin.

(5) Two hundred metres further on, at the signs for Rue des Champs Melin and Chemin du Muenot, you will see a new signpost and take the grassy path on the left that runs alongside the house. Twenty steps from the house, on the right, a small path climbs up to La Roche d'Or. At the top, near some large rocks, there is an open area with a view of the Doubs Valley and the village of Beure. You can also climb very carefully to the left to an unsecured viewpoint overlooking Planoise and Rosemont (slippery rocks, little space at the top to turn around). Then descend the other side to reach the Chemin d'Avanne in Velotte, which you will take on the right to the Port-Douvot water treatment plant.

(6) Opposite the station, at the signpost, turn right onto the path towards Fort de Planoise. Halfway up the slope, at the fork and the next signpost, continue climbing to the left in the same direction. You will soon reach a tarmac road, which you follow to the left for 300 metres. At the next signpost, turn right onto the path that climbs the hillside. You will soon see some cabordes (stone huts) on your left. Immediately after the first one, take the small staircase that climbs to the left and weave your way through the ruins. You will come to another path at a right angle, which you climb to the left, then another even wider path, still going to the left.

(7) After a metal barrier, you will rejoin the tarmac road at the signpost. Climb up to the right to Fort de Planoise. You will pass between two walls. Opposite you is another signpost; turn right towards the esplanade. At the semi-circular car park, take the small path that will lead you to a splendid viewpoint over the Besançon mountains. Return to the entrance of the fort, walk along its right side and go around it by taking the path on the left that runs alongside the moats.

(8) Pass a boundary marker and you will arrive at the rear of the fort. Head slightly to the right to reach a small meadow and walk towards the picnic table. Head towards a metal barrier. Then follow the signs for "Point de vue sur Avanne" (viewpoint over Avanne). Cross the fortifications again via a beautiful stone path, continuing straight ahead until you reach the paragliding launch area.

(9) After enjoying the magnificent, unsecured view of the Doubs valley and the Jura mountains, turn your back on the viewpoint and head right towards a small concrete bench. Continue for 300 metres along the ridge path that passes above the fortification and overlooks a trench. Look for a path that branches off perpendicularly to the left at the large, clearly visible fortifications on your left. Ignore the path on the right, which is blocked by a metal post, and take the stone path that led us to the jump area. Turn right to return to the picnic table.

(8) Walk past the table. A little further on, continue straight ahead at the crossroads, where you will find a yellow marker on a tree on your right. At marker 153, continue straight ahead downhill towards "Rosemont", staying on this well-marked path. At the edge of the woods, at the fork, take the wider path on the left. At the nearby marker post (154), continue downhill to the right in the same direction until you reach the bottom of the hill. At the bottom, you will come to a wider path running perpendicular to it. Continue downhill to the left, then, before the wooden barrier, turn immediately right onto the path marked with a rope.

(10) At the tarmac road, go under the bridge on the left, then after the tunnel on the left, walk alongside the Malcombe sports grounds. At the next fork, go up to the right along Chemin de Gissey, which will take you back to the car park (S/E).

The route includes cliff-edge paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.