Friesen walks

Friesen boasts an exceptional array of half-timbered houses built between 1499 and 1876. Thanks to meticulous inventory work, the walk allows you to see many reminders of a rural world that disappeared forever after the Second World War. A country lane then leads to the Notre-Dame de Grünenwald chapel and Ueberstrass, following in the footsteps of the Knights of Malta.

Speaking of this part of the Sundgau, André Gide wrote:"One is constantly surprised, as one crosses the forest, to find oneself in the presence of an unsuspected sheet of water, mysteriously asleep in the shelter of the beech forests; rushes adorn narrow sandy beaches at the edge of large fields of water lilies. There are also several reminders of the First World War and the front line that separated Largitzen from Bisel.

A hike starting from Hirtzbach that passes through Largitzen and Heimersdorf. There are many remnants of theFirst World War along the route.

A hike through the beautiful Sundgau forests dotted with ponds, with no major difficulties except for the walking time. There are many places to stop for a snack along the route.

Hirtzbach is well worth a visit. The castle, English park and opulent residences of Unterdorf are neatly lined up on either side of the stream, whose banks are beautifully flowered in summer. Along the way, a rural and wooded detour leads to the site of the vanished village of Sankt-Glückern and the Landfürstenweyer, the Princes' Pond, with its still waters.

Fancy a stroll through the woods for a few hours? This route is perfect for you. Although it’s not difficult, it still lets you discover some of the “secrets” of this part of the Sundgau and make the most of a lovely time spent outdoors.

This long hike through fields and forests allows you to discover the peaceful Sundgau region of Belfort, walk along ponds and flirt with the Swiss Jura. The trail is marked with a yellow ring.

Kilometre Zero is the starting point of the front line established during theFirst World War. It is located on the current French-Swiss border, at a place called Le Largin. The Kilometre Zero trail explores three sections of the front line, the first kilometres of the French and German fronts, and the Swiss front at Le Largin, established along the border opposite the no man's land where boundary marker No. 111, considered the zero point of the Great War front line, is located.

An easy walk that allows you to take in the forest air. Not far from Altkirch town centre, there are some beautiful views and the Erlen pond, where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings.

A very pleasant walk to discover the village of Florimont and its surroundings in the lush countryside. At the end, I suggest a short alternative route to reach the foot of the two towers. Florimont is situated in the foothills of the Jura, 30 km from Belfort and a stone’s throw from Switzerland. The route is marked with a Green Ring

A long hike with superb views of the Vosges, the Black Forest and the Jura. There are numerous points of interest with information boards, benches and water points along the route.

According to Marc Glotz, "The Sundgau has only two Romanesque churches, both founded by the dynasties that shared the region in the Middle Ages: the Habsburgs and the Ferrettes. While Ottmarsheim evokes Carolingian grandeur, Feldbach recalls monastic simplicity. You leave it as if returning from a pilgrimage, with a renewed sense of serenity and the impression of having encountered the fleeting shadows of the counts."

A lovely hike in the Faverois area, 30 km south-east of Belfort. You will discover a charming village, landscapes of fields and forests with beautiful ponds. In spring and autumn, you can observe many migratory birds.

The Chemin des Planètes, created by the Astroaspach club in partnership with the municipality of Aspach, is a 3 km route that offers an original way to discover our solar system through educational panels depicting the distance between the planets to scale: 1 metre walked represents 2,100,000 km in space. From the Sun to Neptune, what a journey!Along the way, you can also enjoy a stroll through the Litten Forest, its chapel (1862) and the village’s rural surroundings, walk through the narrow streets of Aspach and, at the end of the trail, cross the Jardin des Libellules (a community garden dedicated to water conservation and biodiversity).

It is in late February and early March that you should go to meet spring in the forest of Saint-Bernard. This is where the snowdrops appear, signalling the end of winter.

The fighting of the First World War raged in the Sundgau region from August 1914 onwards. The French blew up the Dannemarie viaduct and the front stabilised and extended from the Vosges to the Swiss border. The front line ran a few kilometres from Illfurth, near Heidwiller. During this tour, you will discover several bunkers that served a variety of purposes, including ammunition depots, observation posts and artillery emplacements, as well as several casemates.