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Park in Montmahoux, Chemin de l'Église, opposite the war memorial. Yellow-red and yellow-blue markings. Visit the church if it is open.
(S/E) Head towards the stop sign, which has markings on it, and turn left up Chemin de Levier.
At the transformer, turn right onto Chemin du Mont, passing an old pump. At the signpost, at the junction with Chemin du Facteur, continue uphill to the left (towards Crouzet-Migette).
(1) At the last house in the village, take the smallest tarmac road on the right (towards Belvédère). Go through the gate and close it behind you (the nuns from the village keep goats on the mountain) and climb up to the Montmahoux viewpoint.
(2) At the next signpost, there is a bench where you can enjoy the view of the Amancey plateau, then continue climbing up the road (towards the orientation table). You will pass the monumental cross and arrive at the exceptional panoramic view of the Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne valley to the west and, to the south, the Haute-Chaîne du Jura (Chasseron, Aiguilles de Baulmes, knoll, Mont d'Or to the south-east, La Dôle further south), and the silhouette of Mont Blanc standing out on the horizon. Head towards the cross across the lawn to return to the signpost.
(2) Descend via the stairway on the left.
(3) At the gravel road, turn left and the markings will easily lead you to Nans-sous-Saint-Anne. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to walk through beautiful beech forests with stunning views of the Grotte Sarrazine. You will cross a gravel path, continuing along the trail on the other side. After a few steps, you will reach a wider path which you will follow downhill to the right for about twenty steps, where you will find another signpost. Then take the path on the left and the signposts will lead you to the first houses of Nans. However, the descent can be slippery in wet weather.
(4) When you come out onto the meadows above Nans, at the first building, don't hesitate (if the grass isn't too high) to leave the road for a few moments and walk into the meadow for a magnificent view of the village nestled in the hollow of the mountains. The road becomes tarmac and at the first fork, head down to the village via Rue du Chêne on the right. You will pass some beautiful old houses. (At the fountain, before heading to the waterfall, you can walk down Rue Cretin for about a hundred metres to see the 15th-century fortified house. Return to the fountain and turn left).
(5) Alternatively, at the fountain, turn right, cross a small bridge, and climb up to the Varneau Waterfall on the right via a small stone path and a few steps. At the metal footbridge, despite the yellow-blue cross, continue with caution along the steep and slippery path on the left alongside the stream to reach the waterfall. Return to the footbridge and turn right for 200 metres (towards Retour Village).
(6) Look for a fork in the path at a yellow-blue cross and a small sign for Retour Village par Sentier (Back to the village via the footpath) and climb up the path on the right. (If you miss it, don't worry, just go back to the fountain and head towards the centre of Nans). Leave the paths on your right, continuing straight ahead, and join a gravel road at the signpost. Turn left and walk about 50 steps, then descend to the village via the path on the left. You will pass under two huts in the woods, which can provide shelter for the night.
(7) Visit the church, then set off again on the D492 towards Éternoz.
(8) At the sign marking the end of the village, climb to the right, passing in front of the Virgin Mary, along the small tarmac road (towards Belvédère des Feuilles). The road becomes stony and quickly turns sharply to the right. Leave it and continue straight ahead along a path that is half stone, half grass, following the markings.
(9) At the next hairpin bend, continue climbing to the right.
(10) After a long climb (a little too straight for my taste, but the woods are airy and pleasant), when the path reaches a plateau, look for the sign on the left for the viewpoint over the Lison Valley and Mont Poupet. Return to the path and turn left for 150 metres. At the signpost, turn right (towards Montmahoux).
(11) Cross the Champs Pépiliens meadows, following the signposts, and you will come to a stony path that joins a small tarmac road. Turn left here to return to Montmahoux. In the village, follow the bell tower to find the car park (S/E).
The route includes cliff paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
