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Parking at the exit of Ornans, at the very beginning of the D492 (Route de Saules), towards Saules. Yellow-blue markings.
(S/E) Turn your back on the Loue, walk a few steps and turn right onto the small gravel road towards Belvédère de Gougnot - Roche Lahier. As you start the climb, the road turns into a path.
(1) Halfway up the slope, in front of a cave, the path forks. Continue to the right in the same direction (Gougnot-Saules). Shortly after the cave, when the path reaches a plateau, ignore the path on your left. Descend to the picnic table for the Roche Lahier viewpoint overlooking the lower Loue valley.
(2) Leave the viewpoint via the path that runs along the cliff for a second viewpoint upstream towards Montgesoye. Climb back up to the old wall and then head right, along the cliffs, towards Saules, along the cornices. (Be careful not to confuse this with another path to Saules that branches off into the woods before the viewpoint). Shortly afterwards, you will see a small path branching off to the right towards a small promontory, an unsecured viewpoint overlooking the upper valley, but ideal for a snack break. Follow the path along the beautiful indentations, continuing along the line of cornices.
(3) Soon, the path turns sharply left and uphill. At the top, the path widens and, at the fork, turn right towards Saules. 200 metres further on, you will reach a stony path. Descend to the right, quickly coming to another fork in the stony paths.
(4) Now turn right onto the dead-end road towards the Vignes de Loray, passing in front of the gate of a shed. When the path loses some of its gravel, at a metal barrier, continue straight ahead. At the stone wall, the path becomes a trail, then a footpath winds its way up the hillside where you will find the remains of terraced crops. You are now overlooking the Val de Cornebouche. The trail becomes a stony path again. When it turns sharply to the left, continue straight ahead along the forest path.
(5) At the small tarmac road, turn left, skirting an elongated clearing. At the end of the clearing, ignore the path that goes straight into the woods and turn left, skirting the opposite edge for about 50 metres. Go down the path on the right marked by a signpost (towards Roche Bottine).
(6) You will arrive at a fir tree plantation and come out onto a hiking trail. Descend to the left, continuing in the same direction. At the small gravel road, turn right and continue for about 100 metres. Be careful: when you see a sign for Saules - Bois Gougnot, leave this gravel road and take a path that descends to the left into the woods (towards Roche Bottine - Ornans).
(7) You will come to a wider gravel path where you turn right (towards Roche Bottine). At the green sign for the protected nature reserve, turn left into the small clearing along the cliffs. At the viewpoint, turn your back on it and head back to the gravel path. At another sign for the protected nature reserve, turn right to return to the intersection you passed earlier.
(7) Continue straight ahead. Shortly after entering the woods, you will come to a fork. Go down to the right to pass in front of the cave and return to the intersection you passed at the start of the hike.
(1) Turn right to return to the car park (S/E).
The route includes cliff-edge paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Easy 
Very difficult 
