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Parking is available at La Chapelle-des-Buis, in front of the chapel, which you can visit.
Yellow and blue markings.
(S/E) Upon arrival, you will be treated to a superb view of the Citadel and Besançon. Walk a few metres back towards the signpost and take the path downhill on the left. On the house opposite, you will see a striking lion figure. Descend to the right onto the small tarmac road.
(1) After the farm, ignore the first path on the right and take the second one (green sign for Mercureau - Maillot). Follow the stream, pass under the motorway bridge, wade across the stream, then descend through the cool little Mercureaux valley.
(2) At the hamlet of Maillot, ignore the first path on the right, then three others on the left, staying on Chemin de Maillot which descends towards Beure. Opposite the last house in the hamlet, ignore the hiking trail descending to the left towards the Bout du Monde waterfall. Continue for another 200 metres until you reach a telephone pole and a sign inviting you to climb to the right.
(3) Shortly after a bench on the right, at the corner of the wall, turn right onto the Sert stone path. Climb up the old Roman road with its ruts carved into the stone (towards Bois de Peu). Shortly after the Roman road, take a sharp left turn. At a large stone with markers, turn left again and continue climbing through the box trees, then carefully along the ledge to the meadows and the viewpoint over the Doubs valley, where there is a bench.
(4) The marked path starts again from the bench and crosses the length of the pasture, but for now, continue straight along the edge of the trees bordering the cliffs and, after about fifteen metres, you will find a small, discreet path on your left that continues to follow the cliffs and leads you to Baume Martin (a baume, from the Gallic word balma, is a rock shelter). Turn back to the bench, turn your back on it and head straight across the meadow to reach a fork. Take the grassy path slightly downhill to the right.
(5) You will arrive at a hunting car park. Continue straight ahead along this well-paved path, ignoring the forest paths that come from the right and left. The path gradually curves to the right and climbs, crossing a beautiful fir forest, and arrives at the foot of a marker post. Climb to the right (towards Chapelle des Buis via Chemin des Crêtes).
(6) Soon you will come to another signpost at a crossroads. Go straight down, ignoring the crosses, to reach the viewpoint, leaving the first path that descends to the left.
(7) After 300 metres, look for a small opening in the trees on the left, where a path leads to the viewpoint over the Mercureaux valley, the Arguel valley and its jagged rocks. Turn back to the crossroads.
(6) Climb up to the right along the Chemin des Crêtes, following the markings and crosses that will prevent you from taking certain paths.
(8) Pass the ruins of Fort de l'Ouest des Buis and shortly afterwards, at the fork marked by a signpost, climb to the right and then quickly to the left, still following the Chemin des Crêtes, which will take you back to the Chapelle des Buis (S/E).
The route includes ledge paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando Member
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