The view of the Alps and Fort Saint-Antoine

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A pleasant hike mainly through the mountain pastures of the Haut-Doubs with a superb view of Mont Blanc if the weather is good. The last quarter of the route passes through forest.

Details

n°2473635
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 85 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 83 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,095 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,010 m
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Photos

Panoramic view of Métabief
Unobstructed view of the mountain pastures.

Description of the walk

From Malbuisson, take the road to Fort Saint-Antoine and stop at the car park at the start of the cross-country ski trails, about 100 metres after the start of the hike.

(S/E) Retrace your steps for about 150 metres to reach the start of the hike on the right. Ignore the adjacent trailheads.

(1) Take the path on the right that leads to Fort Saint-Antoine.

(2) Pass a water reservoir that has been converted into a picnic area and continue along the path.

(3) Turn right just after a large grove of 7 to 8 fir trees to head towards the forest (view of the Alps).

(4) Do not enter the small forest, but turn right to find the cattle crossing at the barrier, which has been covered with gravel.

(5) Before reaching the tarmac road, turn left to see the entrance to the cellars of Fort Saint-Antoine.

(6) Leave the road on the right just after the end of the path and follow the track that passes to the left of the building covering the cistern. Go straight ahead at the intersection. Then turn left at the second intersection. At the road, turn right towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,015 m - Car park at the start of the cross-country ski trails
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 1,035 m - Turn right towards Fort Saint-Antoine.
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 1,062 m - Water reservoir. Picnic area.
  4. 3 : km 2.2 - alt. 1,089 m - Turn right at the fork.
  5. 4 : km 2.46 - alt. 1,079 m - Turn right immediately. Large grove of fir trees.
  6. 5 : km 2.98 - alt. 1,081 m - Caves du fort de Saint-Antoine
  7. 6 : km 3.27 - alt. 1,073 m - On the right, cistern
  8. S/E : km 5.13 - alt. 1,015 m - Car park at the start of the cross-country ski trails

Notes

No special conditions or specific equipment other than the basic equipment required for a 1.5-hour hike in the mountains, where the weather can change quickly.

Worth a visit

This hike follows part of the red cross-country ski trail starting from Malbuisson.
The cellars of Fort Saint-Antoine are open to visitors and are a must-see for Comté cheese lovers.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
User 3900279

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk

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pierre021
pierre021

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike, but the description between points 2 and 3 is insufficient. A compass may be useful to find the right path... At point 6, the trail passes to the right of the building.
The rest is well described.

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randokarine
randokarine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant walk ending in the forest. Very sunny for the rest of the route, best avoided in very hot weather.

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Frala
Frala

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike combining forest trails and views of the mountain pastures. It's a great idea to take the short forest path below Fort St Antoine, as this avoids having to walk most of the way back along the road.
Thank you for this route!

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Céli25
Céli25

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A grove of 7-8 fir trees? We're not sure we found the spot with the view of the Alps. We were at a high point, at the intersection of power lines, but the fir trees are too tall in the direction of the Alps to see anything... Beautiful view of Métabief in front of the fort...

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catherines
catherines

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Short, easy family route. Good for an hour of relaxation.

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Phanie
Phanie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike to warm up. Be careful not to miss the fort, as you will need to retrace your steps a little before beginning the descent.

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Guy FEV
Guy FEV

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike despite a steep start, this route lives up to its description and is relatively accessible.

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gudule54
gudule54

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful walk, best avoided in the middle of the afternoon.

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ga ste
ga ste

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

After visiting Fort Saint-Antoine in the morning, we descended towards Malbuisson, then had a picnic by the lake and "climbed" back up to the fort. A beautiful, easy and pleasant walk with stunning scenery and beautiful forests.

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BMConseil
BMConseil

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk through snow-covered fields and pine forests.

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Pascal07300
Pascal07300

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike to do before visiting Fort St Antoine and its Comté cheese cellars.
It's quiet, cool and wild. Beautiful view at the fort (orientation table). Thank you to the author for sharing.

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159753
159753

Overall rating : 1.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, I would like to know how to find a grove of 7 to 8 fir trees in a fir forest And I don't see how you could have seen the Alps from Fort St Antoine!!! Luckily I know the area, because your explanations are really not clear!!!

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Morganere
Morganere

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk, accessible to all. Be sure to take a short detour to the fort to see the beautiful view of Metabief.

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