Day 56 Pontarlier to Mouthier-Haute

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What I didn’t realise until too late was the there is a diversion in place today that adds another 4km into the day. With accommodation already booked I had no choice but to do the extra.
My day began at 6.30 to get as many kms in before the heat. This also allowed my afternoon to be leisurely, I couldn’t get into my Gite until after 4pm.
The morning was walking through Pontarlier suburbs and then out into farmland. Interestingly no fences and so the whole area was cut and turned hay without fences getting in the way. The cows i did see were fenced with electric fencing.
Then I came across a restaurant in the middle of nowhere and a path leading down a gorge. It revealed itself to be the source of the river Loue. The river came out of the side of a mountain I. A mouth like opening. Crystal clear water flowing out of a cave in the cliff. The Romans already knew about the place as there are roads and structures around the place. The concrete man at least took pity and left some of the Roman road for us to see.
Then it was time for the diversion. I was dreading it but honestly it was the best part of the day. The VF was supposed to go along the gorge bottom but bad weather a few years ago damaged it and made it unsafe. The diversion took me to the top to the ridge above the gorge. It was awesome forest walking with occasional views out and down. And I saw a couple of small deer. I arrived at my Gite at 4 pm early but they let me in anyway. The village is small and quaint but it is on a hill so I didn’t do any exploring.
I had a bath, my first since leaving NZ. It was awesome. 🛀
A Hard but good day 27km with 520m up and 900m downLæs mere