Park at the top of Cléron and Rue du Mont, near the water tower. Good quality yellow and blue markings. The second half is unmarked.
(S/E) Go up the small road reserved for residents. Turn around for a view of the castle and the rocks overlooking the Loue and, on the right, the ruins of the castle. Immediately upon entering the forest, leave the road and climb the wooden steps on the left in the embankment that lead to the path into the woods. Further on, you will reach a small tarmac road, which you continue to climb on the left.
(1) When it stops climbing, it becomes stony and you will soon come to three paths: take the middle one, which passes in front of a large hunting lodge and quickly becomes a beautiful forest path, sparsely marked but well laid out, crossing a beautiful, cool forest with alternating fir and deciduous trees. At a signpost, you will come to a wider path at a right angle, where you will turn left, walking alongside a beautiful pile of stone gathered from fields of mossy stones.
(2) Shortly after the high-voltage power line, look for the signpost marking a path that winds to the right through a gap in the pile of stone gathered from fields, leading you to the Belvédère du Rocher du Moine, a magnificent , unsecured viewpoint overlooking the Norvaux valley. Retrace your steps to the signpost.
(2) Turn right towards Amancey.
(3) At the foot of a signpost, in a 90° bend in the path, look for a new path that branches off to the right towards a second viewpoint, which is unsecured, so take care on the valley.
Retrace your steps to the signpost.
(3) Continue straight ahead. You will soon come to a crossroads; continue straight ahead. Follow the signposts, which are now clearly visible, along this well-marked path. You will come to a gravel path, which you should take on the right.
(4) You will soon reach a crossroads. Leave the gravel path and continue straight ahead on the forest path opposite, which joins another gravel path a little further on. Take this path on the left, leaving the signposts behind. Continue along this path for a long time.
(5) When you arrive under the high-voltage power lines, which you will hear buzzing, take the grassy path on the right that runs alongside the pylons to reach an unprotected viewpoint over Castel Saint-Denis, somewhat spoiled by the power lines that cross the Ravin de Valbois nature reserve at this point.
(6) Turn back, passing a little beyond the second pylon to take the path on the right that enters a fir forest and runs along the ledges.
(1) You will return to the starting point just before the hunting lodge. Despite the yellow and blue cross, don't hesitate to take the path slightly before the '15% gradient' sign, which branches off to the right for a short return trip to a superb viewpoint over the Cléron valley, its castle and the rocks carved out by the Loue river. Return to the road and descend to the right to the water tower, passing in front of a strange fountain with three basins (S/E).
The route includes cliffside paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.