The corniches of Mont Dommage

Park at the top of Silley-Bléfond, taking Rue des Fontaines, then turning right at the fork. As you leave the village, you will pass an old fountain. The hunting car park is about 600 m away on the left. There are no markings until you reach the cliff edge. Then there are yellow-blue and white-red markings.

(S/E) Climb up the quiet little tarmac road, arriving in the sunny fields of a large clearing. At the T-junction with the stony path, head towards the edge of the woods on the right. Enter the woods for a few steps to find a fork.

(1) Take the left fork. Quickly pass a small rocky mound on your right and you will come to another fork. Continue left on this well-marked and well-maintained forest path. At the top, it begins to level out and becomes grassier in places, but is still perfectly passable. Look for a path on your left leading to the ledge (there are traces of white and yellow paint on a tree on the left).

(2) Head left towards the nearby ledge, crossing a hiking trail along the way. Be careful, as there is no safety barrier at the viewpoint overlooking Baume-les-Dames, La Roche de Châtard and the upper Doubs valley.

(3) Retrace your steps for about twenty paces on the marked trail and take the path on the right.

(2) Follow this beautiful cliff path, passing beautiful rocks and crevices, dotted with unsecured viewpoints over the valley. The second is perfect for a break to refresh yourself while contemplating the view of the Roches du Quin and a beautiful meander of the Doubs.

(4) Continue along the cliff top with a nice climb to reach the summit of Mont Dommage (569 m) and descend to a crossroads marked by signpost no. 58 "Bois de la Côte d'Esnans".

(5) Continue straight ahead along the path opposite (towards Le Chassignole) until you reach an old stone marker and a signpost.

(6) Then take the path on the right for a round trip to the secure Chassignole viewpoint, a beautiful promontory overlooking the valley below and the Roche du Rechevet mountain.

(7) Retrace your steps.

(6) Continue downhill to the right along this pretty path overlooking a beautiful forest slope. At the bottom, the path turns left and joins a crossroads (signpost no. 59, "Ruines du Château de Silley").
You can make a round trip to catch a glimpse of the ruins of the tower, unfortunately hidden by branches, via the path climbing up to the right.

(8) Descend to the left towards Silley, following an old mossy pile of stone gathered from fields. This well-marked path turns sharply to the right as it descends. You will soon reach the small road you started on, which you follow to the left back up to the car park (S/E).

(!) The route includes cliff paths and unsecured viewpoints. Rocky and slippery paths in places. Good footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended. Not suitable for young children or inexperienced walkers: the Mont Dommage cliff path is stony and treacherous for ankles.

(8) The Château de Silley, stronghold of the Neufchâtel-en-Bourgogne family, is mentioned as early as 1215. It has a quadrangular layout and had three corner towers, the largest of which, to the east, protected the main entrance and dominated the site. Besieged by the Routiers around 1346, it was then taken and dismantled by Louis XI around 1479 during the Burgundian Wars. The recovery of materials by the villagers greatly reduced the condition of the site. Today, the tower seems to have been abandoned by the municipality.

The Cuves de Bléfond, located below Silley, are natural formations sculpted by water erosion. These giant's kettles, with their clear and sometimes intensely blue waters, create a spectacular and enchanting landscape. The site is accessible via a short hike through the forest, along the stream. Nearby, you can discover the old Bléfond mill and the village chapel, which add historical interest to this nature walk.

The Gorges de l'Audeux offer an impressive natural setting, carved out by the turbulent course of the Audeux River. These narrow, rocky gorges reveal waterfalls and potholes, creating a wild and picturesque landscape.

The Cusancin Valley is an ideal place to walk and recharge your batteries in the heart of nature. Here you will discover peaceful villages and a river ideal for fishing. Hiking allows you to explore remarkable sites: Pont-les-Moulins and its old mill, Guillon-les-Bains with its thermal baths converted into a reception complex, Cusance and its springs (Bleue and Verte) and the Saint-Ermenfroi chapel offering a panoramic view of the valley.