Champagney (Haute-Saône) walks

Easy hike along the edge of the Champagney basin.

Discover part of the Champagney Canal, which was started in 1884 and abandoned in 1909.

From the port of Frahier, stroll along the old canal, then discover the Grands Hauts and the panoramic view of the Ballon d'Alsace and the Planche des Belles Filles.

You may be surprised by the siren that, according to legend, haunts the ponds along this route. A superb hike 15 km from Belfort and 10 km from Héricourt. You will also discover a pretty village with its church and temple, beautiful countryside and forest landscapes with numerous ponds. Along the route, information boards describe part of the history of this region and the legend of the mermaid.

The hike begins with a forgotten path that deserves to be preserved. Access to the Querty grassland is very regular in a magnificent forest. Climb towards La Planche des Belles Filles then descend to Auxelles via the superb panorama of Mont Ménard.

This day-long hike combines the best of the hikes already offered in this area, including the mines, the Belles Filles pond, Le Querty, the summit of La Planche, the shelter and statue of the Virgin Mary at Mont Ménard, and memorial sites (steles and monuments).

This beautiful walk will take you from the charming village of Auxelles-Haut to the summit of the Planche des Belles Filles. You will cross the vast moorland of Mont Ménard with its statue of the Virgin Mary, protector of the village, and the thatched roof of the Querty. Several beautiful viewpoints punctuate a walk offering beautiful forest scenery.

A very beautiful hike to do with the family to discover or rediscover foxgloves, which are the local flower in June, and stroll around the ponds. Leave a car at the Parc de la Praille car park at the end of the circular hike to avoid finishing the circular with 1.5 km of uninteresting and disappointing road compared to the rest. Feedback from several hikers reports poorly marked paths that are difficult to find or completely abandoned.

This family hiking trail, on the outskirts of Mélisey, allows you to discover the Plateau des 1000 Étangs (Plateau of 1000 Ponds) via small wooded paths. The ponds located along the trail will amaze you, such as the Grand Rosbeck, one of the most beautiful in the Southern Vosges.

Walk among the many ponds in the municipality of Evette-Salbert.

This hike has been named the Marcel Lallemand trail in honour of a tireless hiker. An active community member, he worked hard to create and mark hiking trails in the Belfort area. A commemorative plaque has been erected near the Virgin of Evette This hike will take your breath away, between the Salbert hill, the blue line of the Vosges mountains and the Malsaucy lake. Superb views of the Planche des Belles Filles and the Ballon d'Alsace. The trail is signposted.

This hike, starting from the commune of Lachapelle-sous-Chaux, takes you to the heart of the remarkable Étangs des Ayeux. It is located 8km north of Belfort. It is signposted.

The circular Belles Filles in Lepuix Often shaded and very varied, this walk alternates between woodland and dry grasslands, natural curiosities and local heritage. The route is marked with a red disc.

This stage is the last of the Club Vosgien's red rectangle trail through the Vosges. This stage is classified as moderate as there is virtually no elevation gain. Most of the hike takes place under forest cover. The stage starts in the small town of Giromagny and ends in the beautiful city of Belfort, passing by Bartholdi's Lion, a must-see photo spot for those completing the Vosges crossing!

This hike will take you to the entrance of old silver and copper mines dating back to the 16th century, when the village of Giromagny surpassed Belfort in population. The trail is signposted.

Between the Vosges and Jura mountains, discover the Salbert massif overlooking Belfort on a varied hike through forests, wide panoramas and interesting sites. At the summit, enjoy a superb 360° view of the Haute Saône, beautiful ponds at the foot of the Vosges mountains, the city of Belfort and the Alps in good weather. The route is signposted.

A beautiful walk in the forest with a peat bog, numerous ponds and the Saint-Desle fountain. Very pleasant in summer. Please note that during the week, part of the route may be closed for military reasons (proximity to a shooting range). Please check with the town hall on 03 84 30 10 87. In this case, you can bypass the point (4) by following the tarmac road to the point (9). (Route shortened by 4 km).

On varied paths with many shaded areas, this route will allow you to discover the western part of the commune of Ternuay-Melay-et-Saint-Hilaire. At Les Noyes, you will walk alongside a magnificent pond covering more than 6 hectares. Numerous calvaries, witnesses to the past, mark this circuit.

This hike begins on the western flank of Mont Jean, through a forest interspersed with clearings offering magnificent views of the Savoureuse valley and the surrounding peaks. It reaches its peak at the Col du Chantoiseau, a haven of peace at the crossroads, at the foot of the Tremontkopf, which offers a view of the Riervescemont valley and its hills.

A delightful hike through magnificent sites on the Plateau des 1000 Étangs. Perfect for families or groups of friends.

A short, very accessible walk offering beautiful views of the 1,000 ponds plateau.

Starting from La Mer, more precisely from the Pause Paysage "Au fil de l'eau", you will discover the small paths connecting the various localities and hamlets located between Faucogney and Esmoulières. Small paths through woods and undergrowth will lead you to ponds, streams and Saône-style farms with carts. The highlight of the route is the Étang d'Arfin, the largest pond on the Plateau des 1000 Étangs (21 hectares).

Ponds, waterfalls, undergrowth: an authentic walk in the heart of nature to reconnect with yourself and breathe deeply. One of the most beautiful hikes near Belfort. If it has rained recently, the waterfalls are magnificent. The hike is marked with a blue disc.

A very beautiful hike with a stunning view from the summit of Ballon d'Alsace over two other ballons. This hike takes us to the remarkable sites of Saut de la Truite, Rummel Waterfall, Étang du Petit Haut and Vierge du Ballon.

A short family hike with no significant elevation gain, allowing you to discover the typical landscapes of the 1000 ponds plateau.

This hike is the first of two stages linking the end of the Vosges crossing in Belfort to the start of the Grande Traversée du Jura (or GTJ on maps), located at the start of Mandeure. This hike is very cultural, starting in the historic town of Belfort. The first part takes you past three forts: Belfort, Basses Perches and Bosmont. The hike is never very far from urban areas and it is even possible to get there by TGV as the high-speed train passes through. It is a hike that alternates between woods, agricultural plains and villages of varying sizes, including Bourogne and its charming wash houses. The end of the hike is the most pleasant part of the route, crossing the dry grasslands of Bourogne and walking along the Rhône-Rhine Canal.

This hike is the first stage of the GRP® - Randonnée des Forts. Starting from Belfort, this long hike takes in two of them, the Citadel of Belfort and the Fort of Giromagny. There are also numerous ponds and lakes, such as the Étang des Forges, the Étangs Lagace, the Étangs de la Charbonnière, the Étang d'Amont, the Étang d'Avau and those in the Malsaucy Nature Reserve. The first part, from Belfort to Fort de Giromagny, is mainly forest. After the fort, the hike becomes even more enjoyable with landscapes interspersed with numerous lakes, the last of which, Lac du Malsaucy, gave its name to the nature reserve of the same name. Of course, don't hesitate to stay longer in Belfort to admire the historical monuments.

Short hike on the Ballon de Servance hill with numerous viewpoints over the other hills of the Vosges, the Moselle valley and, on a clear day, the Bernese Alps. Ideal for a Sunday outing with afternoon tea at the chalet or an evening barbecue with friends.

A short, easy country walk for the whole family with views of the Lomont wind turbines, the Chasseral massif in Switzerland (on a clear day) and a visit to the Brevilliers dolmen.

This fairly shaded hiking route will allow you to discover the historical heritage of the villages of Belmont and La Lanterne-et-les-Armonts, as well as the surrounding ponds such as the Grand Pas Saint-Martin, not to mention the La Lanterne river, which rises in the village and flows into the Saône at Conflandey.

This pretty route through meadows and woods is not difficult and the elevation gain is very moderate. It is a family walk suitable for young children. It offers some beautiful views and allows you to discover the grassy slopes of Gentiane, Wissgrut and Tremontkopf, as well as little-used forest paths.

A family walk in unspoilt, lush countryside at an average altitude of 950 m and with no difficulty. The first part of the route is below the Plain de la Gentiane, in the forest among century-old trees and lush vegetation. Once you reach the Wissgrut, the return journey is along the ridge through sun-drenched pastures with panoramic views of four departments.

This magnificent hike starting from the summit of the Ballon d'Alsace offers spectacular views of the Vosges, the Jura and the Swiss Alps. The hike is signposted.

This is a pleasant hike, starting with a slight descent into the woods, with almost the entire climb being open.

As you wander along old paths and small roads, you will enjoy a landscape of moors, meadows and forests interspersed with streams and ponds. You will pass through small hamlets with houses characteristic of the Plateau des 1000 Étangs. A remarkable and unique natural heritage to discover.

An easy route that runs alongside numerous ponds. Very pleasant in the October sunshine, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful colours of our forests as they turn golden and purple. Please note, however, that there is a short section on the road (with little traffic).

It is very easy to walk around the summit of Ballon d'Alsace on a wide, easily accessible path. The route I suggest here is much longer but also more spectacular. It is a real little hike, sometimes a little alpine, along picturesque, little-known and little-used paths. It is more demanding than what we are used to in the Vosges and is reserved for experienced and well-equipped walkers. As with any hike, do not start it at the end of the day, as the duration can vary greatly depending on your fitness and experience, and it is dangerous at night. Please note that in spring there may still be snow (or even a lot of snow). Moderator's note added on 26/08/2021: Some hikers have found this hike to be quite difficult in certain sections. See the reviews at the bottom of this page.

This hike takes you down from Ballon d'Alsace to Giromagny. It is the continuation of the Vosges crossing, proposed by DNA, Passion Vosges and the Journal d'Alsace (see practical information). The first few kilometres are along the ridges, with views of the Black Forest, the Rhine Valley and even the Alps. During this same section, you may come across several ski resorts, such as La Chaumière and La Gentiane. A farmhouse inn at Wissgrut offers lunch. Further on, a shelter at the Col du Chantoiseau provides a place to picnic. The descent then continues, sometimes more steeply than others. The arrival in Giromagny offers views of the city of Belfort.

The ultimate Sunday outing for Belfort residents! In good weather, this short circuit allows you to get a breath of fresh air accompanied by a magnificent view of the Vosges, the Jura and the Alps (you can even see Mont Blanc on a very clear day!).

This beautiful route begins with two remarkable peaks in the Vosges and offers beautiful views of the upper Moselle valley, before reaching the Pays des Étangs.

The summit of the Ballon d'Alsace offers magnificent 360° views of the Alps on a clear day. The route crosses the moraines of three ancient glaciers and unspoilt, wild areas in classified natural spaces. (Please note that the route crosses a protected natural area (between (4) and (5)). Dogs are not allowed and access is prohibited between 15/12 and 14/07)

This hike, which is mostly in the woods, is accessible to many average walkers, although the first part is a little difficult.