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Parking on Chemin de Mazagran, after the small bridge before the nightclub, along the wooden fence. The nightclub car park is usually available. Yellow markings and some unmarked sections.
(S/E) Head towards the nightclub via Chemin de Mazagran, which runs alongside the Doubs. View of the citadel ramparts, the prefecture and the Eau station park. After two benches, at the dam, move closer to the bank on the right for a beautiful view of the Citadel and the ramparts.
(1) Take the iron staircase on your left and climb the hill to Fort de Chaudanne, following the yellow markings. This is a pretty winding path clinging to the hillside. Ignore any perpendicular paths you may come across. The path runs alongside a tarmac road, which you should ignore. Continue climbing along the path on your left. At the fork, at the next bend and at the signpost, continue straight up to the small tarmac road, which you follow up to the right.
(2) Opposite the entrance to the fort, there is a superb view of the Citadel. Continue along the road, then go down the steps to the esplanade for a second viewpoint over the rooftops of old Besançon, nestled in the hills that surround the circular. Facing the façade, head towards its right-hand corner where you will find a fork in the paths. Take the left path that runs along the walls. At the end of the path, leave it and turn sharply left, carefully following the top of the walls.
(3) You will arrive at the third viewpoint over the city, in particular the dome of the hospital and the prefecture, the former Hôtel de l'Intendance. Descend the hill via the stony path opposite, crossing the dry lawns and enjoying views over the Doubs valley towards Beure. At the wooden barrier, go down to the stop sign and turn right onto Chemin du Fort de Chaudanne (towards Petit Chaudanne). Stay on this path until you reach No. 20.
(4) Then turn left onto Rue du Petit Chaudanne and quickly left again onto the stony path that climbs towards the pylon. Leave it on your left and continue straight ahead along the stony path, which is treacherous for your ankles. When you see houses, you will come to a fork in the road. Ignore the steps on the right that lead down to the road and continue along the stony path on the left.
(5) If you pay attention, you will soon see the circular foundations of an old caborde (stone hut) on your left. Shortly afterwards, at an old mossy ruin, you will come to a fork. Take the right-hand path and stay on it. When it joins a wider path (at a wall), descend to the left to the small tarmac road, which you take to the left until you reach the intersection with the nearby Chemin des Lys.
(6) At the signpost, turn right towards Velotte. When the path ends in a cul-de-sac, descend to the right along the forest path, passing a signpost which you ignore. Continue downhill until you come to another signpost and a small tarmac road, which you follow uphill to the left for a few metres. At the corner of the house, take the path that climbs the hillside via log steps. Open (and close) a small gate. Walk along the fence for about twenty steps and climb the hillside on the far left. You will soon cross a scree slope with views of the valley. You will find another signpost at a junction of paths. Turn right. You will leave this large enclosure through another gate.
(7) Descend to the right (towards Échenoz de Velotte). Opposite you is the Chapelle des Buis chapel on its hill. Just before the end of this small tarmac road, descend to the right via a new stony path. It soon runs alongside the low wall of a house. Climb the log staircase on the left. At the bottom of Échenoz, you will see the edge of the Citadel. You will come back to the Chemin de Mazagran, which you take on the left. Go under the bridge to get back to the car park (S/E).
Rocky and slippery paths in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Moderate 
