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Car park in Thoraise, opposite the church, Place du Monument. Yellow and red markings. Some sections are unmarked.
(S/E) With your back to the church, set off along Rue de l'École. Pass Impasse du Château. At the next fork, continue straight ahead into Ruelle du Château, passing an old gate. At a small square, you will pass an old wine press. Then turn left into Ruelle des Remparts, passing under an old postern gate to rejoin the main street, which you follow down to the right.
(1) Continue for about 20 metres past Rue de la Surotte and turn right down the path at the corner of house no. 1B. Please note: it is slightly hidden by vegetation. Then turn right onto Chemin du Portail. You will pass through an old gate in the castle grounds, walking alongside beautiful rocks and the river. You will rejoin the cycle route. Take a look at the small grotto, modelled on the one in Lourdes.
(2) Then go up to the right. At the stop sign, go up to the left until you reach the village exit, using the pavement on the right.
(3) When the pavement ends, cross the road and take the forest path that starts in the space between the safety barriers. Immediately after a fork in the road, take the left-hand path uphill. After about 100 metres, ignore the small path on your left and continue straight ahead. You will come to a stony forest path which you cross, continuing uphill along the stony path opposite. Further up, at the crossroads, continue straight ahead. Just before the Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint, progress is slightly hampered by two trees felled by the wind, which I hope will be removed quickly.
(4) The Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint offers an exceptional view of the Doubs valley and its meanders, the Jura mountains and, in the foreground, the keep of the feudal castle of Montferrand. In the 17th and 18th centuries, many pilgrimages were organised here. Continue along the barriers on the path that runs alongside the cliffs. After 500 metres, at the fork, descend the hill to the river via the left-hand path, marked by a signpost at the corner of a low wall.
(5) You will reach the cycle route. Turn left, crossing the small bridge and passing in front of the ruins of the old mill, which is due to be renovated and soon replaced by a micro hydroelectric power station. A little further on, when you see the tip of a small island between the trees on your right, go down the small path to the bank of the Doubs for a beautiful view of the river and the Château de Thoraise.
(6) Go through the Tunnel Monsieur dit la Percée de Thoraise. It's a 185-metre structure dating from 1810. At the lock, cross the canal and turn right, following the other bank. At the end of the small road, continue straight on until you reach the stop sign on the D105 and turn left to return to the car park (S/E).
Rocky and slippery paths in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Moderate 
