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Arguel car park in the village centre. Yellow-blue markings; some sections are unmarked.
(S/E) Head to the far end of the car park to join the sandy path which leads off to the left towards the old washhouse. 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 Cross and Blue Cross on a low wall indicating you should turn back – take the small path leading up to the church. Take a quick look around the church and its cemetery. Walk back up the path opposite the cemetery gate. At a fire hydrant, turn right onto the dead-end road, which becomes a lovely path climbing up the hillside (yellow-and-blue signpost).
(1) At the sign for the “Route des Grands Prés”, continue to the right – despite the Yellow Cross and Blue Cross – towards the viewpoint 300 metres away. You’ll soon reach a first , unprotected viewpoint overlooking Planoise: take care! Another offers views over the Pugey valley, the Arguel hillside and the Jura mountains, particularly the Poupet. Continue carefully along the ledge path, dotted with further viewpoints and a few remains of the castle. At a small hollow and a fork in the path, climb the small hill carefully (the path runs along the edge of the cliffs) to the tip of the promontory for a superb 180°-plus view of Besançon and its hills, and the Mercureaux Valley.
(2) Head back to the small hollow at the fork in the paths, then turn right towards the Doubs Valley. You’ll come to a path; walk about ten steps to the right for another view. Then turn round and head straight on, this time following the ledges on the river side. Pass under a wall. Unfortunately, this is all that remains of this feudal site. Complete the circular route by returning to the first viewpoint and head back towards the signpost without quite reaching it. About 10 steps from the signpost, take the unmarked path on the right which climbs towards the ridge and winds its way through beautiful rock formations. At the time of the autumn leaf fall, you’ll have a view of the Doubs valley to your right.
This path leads you to a clearing which you’ll enter quietly. I’ve often come across a few chamois there in the morning. The clearing offers a fine view of Planoise Fort, Rosemont and the village of Avanne. Cross this pasture diagonally, heading towards its far right-hand end. Step over the rickety barbed wire to find the path that descends towards a promontory overlooking the valley. After about twenty steps, the path veers off into the scree on the right. Take great care: the path leading down to the unsecured Chère promontory, which can be slippery at certain times of year, runs close to the edge of the cliffs. Stay on the grassy part of the promontory. Head back up to the pasture.
(3) As you emerge from the woods, cross the pasture in a straight line across its width to find a clearing and an ascending path at the opposite edge. At the next pasture, continue straight on, following the edge on your right-hand side until you reach the unsecured paragliding take-off area, which offers a view of Avanne and Besançon. Take care near the unprotected viewpoint!
(4) Head diagonally left across the pasture to reach the opposite edge, where you’ll easily spot the start of the path that will take you back to Arguel. Close the gate behind you and you’ll soon come to a fork. Turn left onto this pleasant ridge path, leaving the signposted route behind. You’ll come to the sign for the Grands Prés route.
(1) Turn right and head back into Arguel, passing the church again. Continue left until you reach the last house in the village, where you’ll find an old Michelin sign, then cross the small bridge, turning right to rejoin the sandy path, the old wash house and the car park (S/E).
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