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Parking in the centre of Géraise, Place de la Mairie, just before the bus shelter opposite the war memorial.
Yellow markings.
(S/E) Pass the calvary and the first signpost, then follow the signs for Dournon as you climb Rue Sainte-Anne.
(1) At the village exit, at the "Les Bois Brûlés" fork, turn left towards Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne along the small road. On your left is Mont Poupet. At the next fork, when the path becomes stony, continue straight ahead, entering the woods.
(2) When the stony path ends, turn slightly left into the field, following the edge on your right and the trail marked in the grass to find a path on the opposite edge. After a slightly grassy section, the path becomes a beautiful rocky ridge trail with views of leat de Vaux.
Look out for the fork in the path. When the path begins to descend slightly, moving a few metres away from the ridge line, continue to the right along the rocky line. A little further on, there is another fork in the path, which will soon rejoin. However, stay on the right to climb carefully towards the edge of the cliff for your first unprotected view of Nans.
After crossing mossy sharp limestone pavements, you will come to a crossroads and a signpost. Continue straight ahead, still following the ridge line towards the Belvédère de Lachaussée viewpoint, ignoring a path descending to the left.
(3) The viewpoint (676m) offers a view of Nans, nestled in the natural setting of the reculée and overlooked by Mont Mahoux. Shortly afterwards, you will come across a large spruce tree and a signpost (Bois Montrichard). Descend carefully to the right (towards Nans) through the passage between the rocks. At the bottom of the remains of a stone staircase, at a crossroads, continue straight ahead (right-hand path) towards the Belvédère des Platières.
A little further on, the path joins a wider track and another crossroads. Turn left and walk about twenty steps until you see a yellow and blue signpost inviting you to turn right onto a path.
(4) When the path veers slightly to the right, climb up a small path on the left towards the Belvédère des Platières viewpoint sixty metres away (sign pointing in the opposite direction). Then descend to a small road.
(5) Walk up the leat, a charming little valley on the right, accompanied by the murmur of the stream, to the Grange de Vaux farms.
(6) At the first houses, climb up to the left, passing a fountain topped by a beautiful statue of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child on his shoulder. You are now entering the slightly "wild" part of the walk. At the back of the house, open (and close) the electric fence and walk through the pasture, keeping to the left. Do not go down into the pasture below, but climb up to the right, still following the fence, passing through some brambles to find a metal footbridge and enter the woods. A yellow arrow on a tree indicates a path that may be wet and slippery but quickly improves.
You will come to a wider path, which is not very well maintained but well marked. Take this path on the left and you will soon find yourself back on a good stone path.
(7) Go up to the right, staying on this forest path until the next fork in the Bois de la Chênaie.
(8) Descend to the right towards Géraise to reach an X-shaped crossroads. Take the second path on the left. When the road becomes tarmac, at the fork, descend to the right to return to the crossroads of the circular.
(1) Then turn left and return to Place de la Mairie (S/E).
Beware of ticks!
Visorando member
Difficult 
