Le Bosmont

The aim of the walk is to discover the historical and natural features of the Bosmont Forest and the forestry operations managed by the Office Nationale des Forêts (ONF).
You will be able to see the marks left by the work carried out between 1874 and 1880, after the Franco-Prussian War.
The Belfort-Réchésy railway line through the forest is also still visible.
This hike is signposted.

Details

662315
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 81 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 81 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 415 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 349 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The route is marked in both directions with green rings. The following description is for a walk in an anti-clockwise direction.
The starting point is Rue du Breuil, near the car park of the Avenue du Maréchal Juin gymnasium.

(S/E) Take Rue du Breuil, which is a pedestrian path. Pass under the Belfort-Delle railway line, built in 1875 and renovated in 2017. This path connected the towns of Danjoutin and Vézelois before the current road was built. Leaving the edge of the forest, the route crosses the old strategic railway line with a gauge of 60 cm. A train provided a link to the Bosmont ravine powder magazine and the Bosmont redoubt and batteries.

(1) Turn right as you enter the woods, leaving the path that led to the powder magazine straight ahead. The route continues along the strategic railway line, which curves sharply to the left.

(2) Turn onto the path that climbs to the left. On the left was camp no. 1, then further up, still on the left, battery no. 13. You will reach the second highest point in the forest at 405 metres (the second highest point in the forest).

(3) Continue past battery no. 14 above the powder magazine about ten metres north of the path. After a hundred metres, cross the Meroux road (D23), then continue along the strategic path of the redoubt.

(4) Pass by the still clearly visible earthworks of batteries 15 and 16.

(5) Turn right. Leaving the strategic path, pass by battery 12 and cross the forts hiking trail. Join part of the fitness trail. Continue north-east until you reach a four-way crossroads: the junction between the strategic road and the Belfort-Réchésy railway line (1913-1948).

(6) Take the first path on the left, then leave it to continue along the edge of the forest.
Note: to follow the next part of the route, follow the green ring markings; the route partly follows old logging tracks that are partially obscured. After a few hundred metres, rejoin the fitness trail.

Continue on, passing by a small pond created by hunters, before crossing the dry grassland of La Brosse. This grassland is a habitat formed of short grass on shallow soil and subject to drought conditions. The grassland is not very productive and is poorly fertilised, but it is particularly well known for its orchids.

Continue along the path. When you reach the bottom of a staircase, go straight ahead, following one of the oldest forest tracks. Do not take the staircase. Climb the gentle slope to reach the Randonnée des Forts route for the second time.

(7) Continue straight ahead, passing a structure that resembles a fort, known as the Réduit du Bosmont. It is located at the highest point of the forest at 423 metres. Take the wide path downhill to the D23 road. Cross this road, turn left and descend almost opposite through a small wood. You will reach a meadow and rejoin the path you took on the way there.

(1) Take the path you came on almost opposite, pass under the railway line and arrive at the starting point of the route, Rue du Breuil (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 349 m - Gymnasium car park, near the - Savoureuse (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.37 - alt. 364 m - Route of the old strategic railway line
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 377 m - Intersection, on the left
  4. 3 : km 1.51 - alt. 404 m - Battery 13 near the highest point
  5. 4 : km 2.23 - alt. 406 m - Batteries 15 and 16
  6. 5 : km 2.4 - alt. 408 m - Turning right at the junction
  7. 6 : km 3.41 - alt. 380 m - Belfort Rechesy line, first path on the left.
  8. 7 : km 5.06 - alt. 414 m - Route des Forts, straight ahead
  9. S/E : km 6.19 - alt. 349 m - Gymnasium car park

Notes

The starting point is on Rue du Breuil, near the car park of the Avenue du Maréchal Juin gymnasium.
In wet weather, wear sturdy shoes.

Worth a visit

On this route, you can see the remains of Belfort's defensive fortifications built between 1874 and 1880.

Strategic route: this was a 60 cm gauge railway line used to supply the Bosmont powder magazine, the various battery sites and the "Bosmont redoubt".

Battery emplacements: an open space surrounded by earth walls on three sides.
For more details
and also on the website https://foretsdanjoutin.wordpress.com/
The traces of the batteries are clearly visible.
A few hundred metres west of this point (4), off the route, take the path between the old batteries to discover camp no. 4 and the remains of well no. 1. Between the old camp and the well, you will notice the natural phenomenon of sinkholes, which were formed by a collapse of the ground caused by underground waterways.

(6) The path where the Belfort Rechesy railway line with a gauge of 1 m ran, inaugurated in 1913 and abandoned in the 1930s.

The dry grassland of La Brosse. This grassland is a habitat formed of short grass on shallow soil and subject to drought conditions. The grassland is not very productive and is poorly fertilised, but it is particularly well known for its orchids.

For example, the military orchid. This flower is quite well known in the Franche-Comté region. The labellum, which resembles a human body, and the helmet formed by the sepals and lateral petals are the origin of its name. The flower simulates a soldier standing at attention. The flowering period is between May and June.

The passerine, a very rare plant in the Franche-Comté region, has practically disappeared as a result of intensive farming. It grows on sandy or rocky, arid and dry soil. The plant originates from the Mediterranean coastline. The plant varies in height from 0.30 m to 1.20 m, and its tiny flowers range from 4 to 5 mm. The flowering period is from May to September.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 7119454

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

we were looking for an easy route with very little elevation gain for "senior" hikers, and we found it. An easy route, very well signposted and very pleasant when it's hot (almost entirely in the forest). However, we found the fort, but the other points of interest have almost disappeared. A great route for families with young children, beginners and us "oldies".

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chevalley@wanadoo
chevalley@wanadoo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Response to nicjy25's message dated 16 May

We really appreciated the positive comments

Indeed, the forest conceals the history of human intervention during and especially after the Franco-Prussian War, not to mention its significant biodiversity.

We recommend that you visit our website www.foretsdanjoutin.wordpress.com for more information.

As for the few numbered markers, these are an extension of the 60 cm military railway line, which certainly supplied the nearby batteries.

This track ran partly parallel to the Belfort-Réchésy line before crossing the Belfort-Mulhouse line.

Kind regards

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nicjy25
nicjy25

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The route is entirely in the forest, ideal for very sunny days. However, there is no sign of the old batteries.
The approaches to the fort entrances are not very visible because the surrounding area has not been cleared, which is a shame because this is the only "architectural" interest of the hike!
We would also like to know what the markers along the third third of the route indicate...

There are lots of mosquitoes in the damp areas!

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contat
contat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short hike recommended in hot weather or heatwaves, always in the forest.

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Angvalrom
Angvalrom

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy, well-marked walk. Note that there are a few Vita trail signs along the route. This helps pass the time with children who might get bored along the circular path.
As mentioned in previous comments, it's a great way to get some fresh air in the forest, and if you pay attention, you may see a few chickadees flying by.

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Egon
Egon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with no particular difficulties, completed in a circular fashion in 2 hours as indicated.

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francoisg90
francoisg90

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely shaded walk. Not difficult, nothing particularly interesting, but a breath of fresh air in the forest.
Thanks to Mr Chevalley.

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BROBECKER
BROBECKER

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike in the Bosmont woods, easy and very well marked. The group was delighted to get back into the swing of things after the holidays.

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chevalley@wanadoo
chevalley@wanadoo

We have notified the ONF and the Vezelois town hall about the tree that fell on the path.
However, there is a wide space that has been cleared to allow passage. It is large enough for a pedestrian, cyclist or horse rider.

Kind regards

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héricourtoise
héricourtoise

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely hike in a well-marked forest with beautiful trails.

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gagarine
gagarine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I completed the route in 1 hour and 15 minutes (but I only covered 5,800 metres!). I must have missed a section of the route, even though I followed the green ring closely. That said, it was a very pleasant route, well signposted and 99% forest. Watch out for a fallen tree about 2,800 metres from the start of the route...

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badjo
badjo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Thank you, hike completed in 1 hour 45 minutes starting from point 3. The batteries are quite visible, so take the opportunity to visit the fort (be careful not to make any noise). There is a geocache on the route.

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chevalley@wanadoo
chevalley@wanadoo

Thank you for your interest in this hike.
Your comments will help us improve the quality of our descriptions and our hikes.

The gun battery sites are actually earthworks on three sides that protect the gun when it fires shells.

Following your comment, we plan to post photos that will make it easier to locate these emplacements.

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Scaaaap
Scaaaap
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Relatively accurate description of the route, which is well known in the area and marked with small signs on trees in case you get lost.
Paths are clearly visible and easy to access, very pleasant walk in the heart of the forest
I was able to let my dog off the leash without any worries (staff, category 1). I only came across two people in the afternoon, so it's not very busy during the week, which was perfect and peaceful.

As for the historical aspect of the hike, however, the batteries are hardly noticeable, except for the old fort that you walk past at the end.

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