In the Salbert Cravanche massif

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.

Details

995114
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 281 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 284 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 650 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 374 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Salbert Vita trail located at: La Poudrière Cravanche.

Blue disc markings.

(S/E) Follow the first part of the fitness trail.

(1) At the bend, where the trail climbs up to the right, continue straight ahead. The route leads to a forest road used by theGR®5. Climb up the hollow path opposite, which crosses several forest paths, reaches the first defensive structures and then leads to the esplanade of Fort Lefebvre. Turn left.

(2) Climb the stairs to the summit platform where there are three orientation tables (superb circular view of the entire Belfort Gap). Descend on the east side.

(3) Just after the footbridge, turn left onto a section ofthe GR®5. After a short but steep descent, take the second path on the right, which remains level.

(4) Turn left 20 metres before the intersection with the forest road, cross this forest road and follow the path which descends rapidly, cuts across another logging track and arrives a short distance from the D24.

(5) Turn right, the path descends further, arrives at a car park and then runs along the edge of the massif.

(6) At the end of Rue de la Charpignolle (hiking information point), go up to the right. After the log storage area, the path continues to climb, curves to the left, descends, then runs alongside a group of houses before arriving at the D4.

(7) Walk down this road for 100 metres and turn right. Walk for 200 metres to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 427 m - Car park for the Salbert Vita trail
  2. 1 : km 1.28 - alt. 498 m - Straight ahead in the bend
  3. 2 : km 2.62 - alt. 636 m - Fort du Salbert
  4. 3 : km 2.87 - alt. 636 m - Exit from Fort du Salbert
  5. 4 : km 3.76 - alt. 605 m - On the left before the forest road
  6. 5 : km 5.09 - alt. 384 m - Near the D24 and the - Savoureuse (rivière)
  7. 6 : km 6.16 - alt. 377 m - End of Rue de la Charpignolle
  8. 7 : km 6.98 - alt. 422 m - Junction with the D4
  9. S/E : km 7.42 - alt. 427 m - Car park for the Salbert Vita trail

Notes

Visorando was informed by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on brochures published by the Belfort regional council.

Worth a visit

Salbert, between the Vosges and Jura:
Geologically speaking, the Salbert hill (altitude 647 metres) is composed of schist and has the distinction of being the first peak in the Vosges mountains. The Mont hill, located slightly further south, is composed of limestone from the Jura mountains. The boundary between these two mineral worlds is a fault that formed the Cravanche Cave.
At the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the region.

Fort du Salbert:
This Séré de Rivières-type fort was designed to monitor the communication routes around Belfort. Named after General Lefebvre, it was built in 1874 to house 500 men and 44 cannons. It had platforms for artillery on the rampart crowning the moat and above its central barracks.

An optical telegraph station:
When you arrive in front of the fort, you will notice a curious isolated ruin; this is an optical telegraph station that was used to communicate with the forts of Mont Vaudois, Mont Bart and as far as Besançon.

An underground NATO base:
In 1953, a large NATO radar station was built: huge underground premises housing technical facilities and an air defence operations room were constructed. The base was only in operation for a short time. Its access points are now sealed off.

A mountain bike enduro area:
Several downhill mountain bike trails are marked out on the slopes of Salbert, with a height difference of around 700 metres in the heart of the forest. It is therefore not uncommon to come across fully equipped mountain bikers!

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Pierrot DAVID
Pierrot DAVID

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route close to the city. Ideal for a little oxygen therapy.

Machine-translated

Groupe-Rando-25
Groupe-Rando-25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant nature route mainly through forest with a 320m elevation gain. At the top, the 360° views are very interesting (downside: from certain angles, the vegetation begins to obstruct the view).

Machine-translated

Luzi
Luzi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your walk, allow an hour and a half, a very short stretch of road with little traffic

Machine-translated

Le voisin du 90
Le voisin du 90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with some elevation gain. The view of Belfort and the foothills of the Vosges is magnificent!

Machine-translated

theacroquer
theacroquer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route accompanied by birdsong.
Magnificent panoramic views at the summit.
Following on from this, the Roseliere trail to the Forges pond. 4 km of ultra-flat terrain, making it very easy.

Machine-translated

Zimm
Zimm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant circular in Salbert on warm, sunny days, as it is mostly under the trees. The more athletic can do it in the other direction, as the climb to the top is more direct and therefore much steeper. Very pretty viewpoint at the top offering an almost 360° panorama.

Machine-translated

Maurice7006
Maurice7006

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
From the start of the VITA car park, my GPS track was 2 cm from the track to follow...
It faded as I neared the summit.
It was impossible to get lost because I have known these places for 40 years. I live in this area.

I encountered two joggers and two walkers... that's all. Due to bad weather.

Thunderstorms starting on the 4th, then rain on the 5th, 6th and 7th

Best regards, Maurice.

Machine-translated

JEAN PAUL BAEHR
JEAN PAUL BAEHR

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This route partly follows the fitness trail, with beautiful views from the summit over Belfort and Lake Malssacy.
The local council should put up a sign to help visitors who are not from Belfort find
the starting point of the fitness trail.
Otherwise, everything is excellent.

Machine-translated

corna54
corna54

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The main attraction of this hike is the views from the summit. Personally, I found there to be a lot of woods. Just follow the blue round markings to reach the summit and return to the starting point car park.

Machine-translated

Olivier BORDE
Olivier BORDE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A splendid hike, what a view of the Belfort region!
The section between points 4 and 5 can be difficult and even dangerous when the path is wet.

Machine-translated

Alain7059
Alain7059

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike.
Superb panorama at the summit
A bit of a "long" stretch at the end when you have to walk along the road and past houses.

Machine-translated

hmoyal
hmoyal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a superb view from the summit.

Machine-translated

Blueanne
Blueanne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A hike through the woods, ideal for hot summer days. An interesting route with beautiful panoramic views of the entire region from the summit of Salbert. Suitable for all seasons.

Machine-translated

isamiGo256
isamiGo256

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very good hike!!!

Machine-translated

thierry_57metz
thierry_57metz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We did this hike in beautiful sunshine and the view from the fort is really nice.
Overall, the trail markings are very good and visible, even though I had taken the precaution of downloading the GPX file to follow.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.