The Roselière trail in Belfort

Park in the Étang des Forges car park.

The trail is marked with a Yellow Ring.

(S/E) Head to the edge of the lake, turn left and follow the bank, cross the Canal du Martinet and continue along the edge of the lake. Head towards the Allée des Charmilles.

(1) Cross the road and continue straight ahead. Head towards the observatory junction.

(2) Option to make a return trip to the observatory (200 m). Join the path then continue straight ahead.

(3) At the next junction, turn right and follow the path as it curves away from the edge of the pond. Reach the edge of the woods.

(4) Turn right to reach the edge of the pond, pass the water sports centre, and continue along the edge of the pond to the car park (S/E).

Start at the Étang des Forges car park next to the campsite. It is located opposite 51 Rue Bussière, 90000 Belfort.
Visorando was provided with this information by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on brochures published by the Belfort Department of Territorial Planning.

Étang des Forges
Covering an area of 30 hectares, the Étang des Forges was created in the Middle Ages for fish farming. In the 19th century, it became a water reservoir for industry, and today it is a leisure site much loved by the people of Belfort.

The Roselière Trail
The trail circles the pond, passing through remarkable wetlands. Right in the centre, a footbridge crosses a floodplain forest; you’d almost think you were in the heart of the Louisiana bayous! Here you’ll find flora typical of such habitats, where numerous waterbirds come to feed and nest, as well as dragonflies, amphibians, and more. This area is classified as a ZNIEFF (Natural Area of Ecological, Faunistic and Floristic Interest) and listed by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO). As hunting is prohibited, the Étang des Forges is also a stopover for many migratory birds coming from the north. An observation point allows you to spot them.
Along the 4km trail, information boards will introduce you to the site’s flora, fauna and history.

The Tower and Fort of La Miotte.
Overlooking the Étang des Forges, the Miotte Tower is the remnant of a medieval castle. Situated on the hill of the same name, which forms part of the Jura Mountains, it was for a long time the city’s main symbol, before being supplanted by the Lion of Belfort; it remains, however, an emblem of the city to this day. It was destroyed in 1945 during the Second World War and rebuilt in 1947.