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Start from the car park on the edge of the D127E1 just before the bridge over the Saine coming from Les Planches-en-Montagne.
(S/E). At the "Le Martinet" signpost, leave the car park and cross the bridge. Go up the steps on the left and follow the path along the gorges. A path has been laid out along the gorge so you can discover waterfalls and "potholes" carved out by the Saine, creating a 47 m deep canyon. At the top of the trail, you can still see the building of a hydroelectric power station, whose turbine still produces electricity. At the end of the trail, return to the centre of the village and the road.
(1) Continue to the right, cross the bridge over the Saine and, after the cemetery, take a small road on the left which quickly becomes gravel. Follow it until it joins the D127.
(2) Cross the road to join the path in the woods opposite (yellow signpost).
Walk along a meadow, climb into the woods and follow a farm track to La Senge and arrive at a three-way junction.
(3) Here you will find an alternative shortcut (see practical information).
For the more adventurous, continue around the lake by taking a path and then a small tarmac road (11 km loop).
(4) At the first farm on the left, take a gravel path on the left which leads to the D62 and follow it to the left until the second bend on the left.
The tour of the lake offers beautiful views, so don't hesitate to give it a try! This lake is rich in fish and surrounded by lush flora.
(5) At the junction of the two loops, from the D62, take the farm track on the right which descends to the village of Foncine-le-Bas.
(6) In the village, turn left onto the D127 towards Champagnole to reach the Place du Champ de Mars.
(7) Just after the square, at the bend in the D127, turn right and follow a small road crossing the "Viaduc des Douanets".
Just after the viaduct, take a path downhill to the right along the Saine river for a refreshing break.
(8) 50 m after the viaduct, turn left and follow the signs for Gorges de Malvaux. This is the old tramway that once linked Champagnole to Foncine-le-Haut. The path overlooks the Gorges de Malvaux below, down to the village of Les Planches-en-Montagne, and offers magnificent views of the Saine.
Go through a 180-metre-long tunnel, the end of which you won't see straight away due to its curve (you'll need a torch).
(9) Then take another viaduct offering a magnificent view on the right of the Cascade du Bief de la Ruine.
(10) After Sous Bayard, you will come to a crossroads where you should turn left and descend towards Les Planches-en-Montagne, heading towards "Canal Usine Fumey-Badoz".
(11) After entering the village, you will see a beautiful wash house where you should turn right and head back up towards the main street of Planches-en-Montagne, pass the town hall and take the first street on your left to reach the Gorges de la Langouette car park (S/E).
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