The Bois de Belfays Wind Farm (long version)

Car park at the Col du Las on the D32 between La Grande Fosse (Saales) to the east and Nayemont-Launois (Ban-de-Sapt) to the west.

(S/E) From the Col du Las car park, head south after crossing the D32.
After a few metres, look out for a table and benches in the vegetation on the left, then a tree beyond which a small grassy path branches off to the left (not very visible).
Follow this gentle path for 100 m until you reach a small road.
Turn left and do not take the Red Disc-marked path that branches off immediately to the right; instead, continue straight on for 50 m and take the path that descends to the right (more pleasant than the trail).

(1) Continue in this direction, where the markings quickly change to Red Disc as the path you didn’t take joins it.
When you reach La Grande Fosse and the first houses, continue along a small road (there’s a pretty little valley on the right).
Please note, there are virtually no markings in the village (except for a Red Disc at the entrance).
Continue for 200 m along this winding road to reach the centre of the village uphill. At the Stop sign, you’ll come to the D32.

(2) Cross the D32 and head straight up the lane on the left-hand side opposite, marked by a blue sign indicating Le Pré Leroy. Continue uphill and, after 600 m, you will reach Le Pré Leroy.

(3) After the small picnic area, continue to the right until you reach a gate, in front of which you should take the path leading uphill to the right (old, faded markings on a tree).
Then very quickly take the path branching off to the left (marked with a Red Triangle).
After 600 m on this path strewn with wood debris, a forest track coming from the left leads you to continue for a few metres to the right. You’ll reach the Quatre Chemins crossroads with a picnic area on the left.

(4) Turn right, towards Les Quatre Bornes. Follow the various markings, including the Red Disc, for a while.
Continue straight on for 1 km; your attention is drawn to the right by a work of art (a windbreak) by a Canadian artist. You then arrive at Les Quatre Bornes, with its information boards and picnic area. (Note the several wind turbines visible on the right as you descend towards Saales).

(5) The forest track then widens considerably and turns left into a very open landscape. Continue round a wide left-hand bend, ignoring the paths branching off to the right.

(6) Pass, on the right, a memorial dedicated to German soldiers who fought in the First World War. About 1 km after the memorial, you’ll reach a junction with a path marked with a Red Disc (as well as a Red Ring and a Red Triangle, among others), which continues downhill to the right.

(7) Do not follow this path but head uphill to the left (Green Ring markings) along an open road (which does not appear on the IGN map) where you will find a sign for the “Bois de Belfays Wind Farm”. There is also a Green Saltire marking which appears twice on the left.
No markings thereafter. You’ll find yourself in open countryside. Continue uphill to the right and pass under a wind turbine on your left.
Then continue along the wide path (which does not appear on the IGN map) which becomes tarmac and begins to descend. It is steep; continue down the slope, passing several wind turbines on your right. Wide view over the valley.

Walk all the way down this road, which ends at a barrier next to which there are large rocks.
Go through the barrier (pass underneath) and continue downhill for a few metres; then, at the junction of three paths, take the one that heads sharply to the right to rejoin, after 300 m, the Red Disc markings you left a short while ago.

(8) We are still in the Bois de Belfays Wind Farm (numerous signs). Continue downhill to the left. Note another wind turbine on the left, then a final one on the right. Arrive at the Carrefour de la Croix des Fourrières with a picnic area.

(9) At this point, turn onto the unmarked path that descends to the left towards Châtas. You’ll reach Châtas after a lovely descent; the church is on the left.

(10) Immediately after the church, turn left (Green Saltire signposting) and head up towards Pré Lannequin.
Continue for over 2 km following the Green Saltire markings. Goats and a fountain on the right, opposite a house. After a wide right-hand bend and crossing a stream, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(11) Leave the Green Saltire markings and take the path going uphill sharply to the left (Red Triangle – Yellow Ring markings). Continue keeping to the right, following the same markings.

(12) After about 200 m, when you reach a Fork in the road, don’t hesitate; carry straight on up the steep, unmarked path opposite (vehicle tracks). Ignore the path marked Red Triangle – Yellow Ring which continues to the left.
After a few metres, the gradient eases off and you walk through beautiful grassy countryside.
You’ll reach the Roches de Céné (760 m) and turn left towards the forest.

(13) After 200 m, turn right towards the source of the Hure (Red Saltire signpost). After the spring (below, not very visible), the signposting stops but continue along this forest track and, after a few bends, you will come to a semi-tarmac road.

(14) Turn right downhill and you will soon reach the Col du Las (S/E).

Please note that the wide tracks where the wind turbines are located are areas with authorised and secure access.

Picnic at the Col du Las (on both sides of the D 32), at the Quatre Chemins crossroads, at the Quatre Bornes and at the Croix des Fourrières.

In Ban-de-Sapt, there are two places well worth a visit:
- the Jardins de Callunes (landscaped park).
- the Nécropole de la Fontenelle (monuments, battlefields, cemeteries...).