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Parking at the viewpoint in Renédale, at the bottom of the village near the town hall, Rue de la Conge. Yellow-blue and red-yellow markings. Set off along the pretty gravel path at the back of the car park.
(1) You will soon come to a signpost at the junction with another marked trail: continue straight on route no. 10 to the first viewpoint over the magnificent Nouailles Gorges. The Loue has carved a deep, winding canyon into the heart of the limestone massif. Continue to the second viewpoint nearby. About 1 km from the viewpoint, the trail opens onto a small clearing which you cross. At the end of the clearing, look for a signpost and its signs; turn left towards route no. 10 Belvédère du Moine, continuing along the edge of the cliffs. Follow the markers carefully, avoiding the paths marked with a cross.
(2) You will come to a stone path just opposite a signpost and a fork in the path. Go down to the right, taking the fork on the left of the path (towards Route 10 - Auberge du Moine). Fifty metres further down, at the new signpost, go up to the left (towards Belvédère du Moine) towards the inn where you can quench your thirst. Opposite the inn, climb up to the right to the Belvédère du Moine. The first viewpoint, with a picnic table, is to the right of the pylon overlooking the Gorges de Nouailles. The second, between the two pylons, overlooks Mouthier topped by the Roche de Hautepierre and the entire lower Loue Valley as far as Ornans and even further to the Monts Bisontins.
(3) Set off again along the picturesque and pleasant corniche path, starting in front of the bench, which offers numerous unobstructed views of the valley. You will cross three clearings, staying close to the cliffs, before arriving at the beautiful Laproz meadow with a superb 360° view. At the entrance to the meadow, immediately on the right, there is a view of the Roche de Hautepierre, the Rochers du Capucin and the Moine de la Vallée.
(4) Find a small promontory on the other side of the barbed wire, with enough space to picnic and enjoy this superb wild viewpoint (unsecured) over the valley below and above, which is obviously unprotected, so be careful. Continue along the cliffs until you reach the farm shed at the end of the meadow.
(5) Here, you have two options:
- Option 1: Turn back towards the car park. I'm sure you won't mind seeing these magnificent views of the upper Loue valley again.
- Option 2: Continue the hike following the route described below. Hikers should note that this route is not marked and requires a good sense of direction.
(5) For the second option, at the hangar, head towards the small road you can see opposite and turn right until you reach the D27, which you will climb on the left towards Bolandoz. At the sign indicating " Virages sur 3 km" (bends for 3 km), leave the marked trail and continue on the departmental road for another hundred metres or so.
(6) Head into the meadow via the small tarmac road on the left, which is tarmac but has very little traffic as it is only used by farmers. On the left, take a last look at the Roche de Hautepierre and continue to the clearing, accompanied by a bovine symphony of cowbells.
(7) The road enters a small clearing. Be careful! Do not go past a large isolated tree on the left. In the middle of the clearing, when you see the previous shed on your left in a gap, head diagonally across the field to the right, between two small copses, towards a metal gate that you will see at the edge of the woods. Close the gate behind you. You will find yourself on a stony path that winds through this pretty undergrowth.
(8) The path ends at a meadow. Head straight ahead towards the opposite edge, crossing it widthwise to find one of the two entrances (about 50 metres apart) to a new stony path. You will soon come to a small road, which you should cross, continuing along the path opposite. Once again, you will find yourself in pastureland. Follow the edge on your left. To your right, above the trees, you will see the Jura mountains. The path becomes stony, then simply a field path.
(9) This path enters the woods and descends towards a small clearing, which you cross, following the edge on the left to take the path (on the left) that leads back into the woods. You cross another small clearing and finally arrive at the top of a pasture enclosed by barbed wire, but you can easily step over the electric wire on the right. Walk down the pasture towards the fence opposite, where you will see a path. Step over the old, sagging fence and walk up the path on the right, which is half stone and half grass.
(10) The path enters the woods again and quickly forks at the foot of a tree: take the left fork and follow the stone path. At the clearing, leave the path that climbs into the woods on the right and continue straight ahead, following the edge of the woods to the end. There, a small path winds its way through a beautiful, dense and dark fir forest, then through tall grass, remaining visible until it reaches a large, long clearing closed off by a metal barrier.
(11) A chicane passage on the right allows you to enter. Walk up the pasture, passing to the left of a shed hidden by a grove, and on the left-hand side of the other end, a barrier and a chicane allow you to rejoin a short path that passes in front of a small hunting cabin and joins a gravel path.
(12) Turn left and continue straight ahead on this wide stony path, crossing a beautiful pine forest, until you reach the D376 road, which you will follow downhill to the right until you reach Renédale. Take the first street on the left (Rue de la Conche) to return to the car park.
The route includes cliff-top paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
or mentioning clearings that are not clearings – they are meadows or pastures, rather – it's not very obvious).
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Association / Club / Walk leader
