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Parking at the springs on the outskirts of Arcier coming from Besançon. White-red and yellow-blue markings, with some sections unmarked.
(S/E) Set off along the stony path, which you will soon leave to take the path on the right, passing between two stones and running alongside the thuja hedge. You will pass the Bergeret spring, climbing a beautiful, airy wooded hillside with slender trees.
(1) Shortly after the beautiful manor house, built above a waterfall and opposite the wooden steps that climb the hillside, descend to the right to see the waterfalls.
Return to the foot of the steps and continue straight ahead for about 50 metres to reach the Arcier spring. Return to the steps once again and climb straight up this wooded valley to the first signpost. Continue straight ahead towards "Sentier des Trois Portes - Chemin des Épesses".
(2) You will arrive at a fir tree plantation and a signpost marking a fork in the trail. Continue straight ahead. The path widens and becomes roughly paved.
(3) You will arrive at an open space and a stony road. Go down to the right along this beautiful road. You will reach a small tarmac road at a signpost. Turn left and walk about fifteen steps until you reach the "Voie sans issue" (dead end) sign and take the path on the right, despite the yellow and blue cross. You will see a yellow and red marker. Quickly, at a fork, take the path on the left. At the next crossroads, at the foot of marker no. 25, turn left to quickly reach a small tarmac road.
(4) Go down to the left for about a dozen steps and take the path that climbs to the right through the fir trees. Back on the small tarmac road, turn left until you reach the first hairpin bend.
(5) Continue straight ahead along the stony path for 500 metres, ignoring the signposts. At forest signpost 25, climb straight up this straight path, ignoring all the paths on the right and left, until you reach the fort's moat, where the path turns sharply to the right. Follow the moat to the entrance to the Batterie des Épesses (be careful not to go in!).
(6) You will find yourself back on a marked path and pass straight in front of the entrance, continuing along the ditches. At the end of the fort, you will come to another marked path at a right angle. Turn left, going around the fort. After a short descent of a few steps, veer slightly to the right for a few metres to find the signpost (route VTT112) which will take you along a pretty sunken path.
(7) After an area of regrowth, you will arrive at the corner of a fir tree plantation (route VTT112, forest sign no. 8), a crossroads of paths. Continue straight ahead along the fir tree plantation, ignoring the markings that descend to the right. Soon you will come to a fork; take the path on the left.
(8) About 50 metres before a large fir tree at the edge of the path, marked with a mountain bike sign, look for the yellow and blue cross on a tree on your right, indicating that you are back on a marked trail. Continue for a few steps and you will see a sign inviting you to descend to the left (on a tree bearing the number 12). When the path reaches a wider X-shaped crossroads, continue straight ahead. A little further on, at the new X-shaped crossroads (GFVA35 sign), descend the path on the right to the signpost.
(2) Descend to the right.
(1) Pass the springs again and return to the car park (S/E).
Rocky and slippery paths in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Otherwise, there is indeed a steep little climb after the stairs, which is just as tiring to descend, by the way. In short, it's a simple and enjoyable hike.
Visorando member
Easy 
