The Sentier des Bornes in Rechesy

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.

Details

n°1104735

Creation:
27 Apr 2018

Last update:
09 May 2026

Last review:
18 May 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.15 mi
Average duration: 5h 20
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 797 ft
Descent: - 791 ft
Highest point: 1,804 ft
Lowest point: 1,322 ft

Country: France
Area: Jura mountains
City: Réchésy (90370)
Start/End: N 47.506693° / E 7.10884°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3621ET
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Description of the walk

Park in Réchésy, 24 km south-east of Belfort, in the car park of the multi-purpose hall on Route de Courcelles.

(S/E) From the stadium car park, follow Route de Courcelles for 100 metres, then take the stony path on the left that climbs into the forest. 500 metres further up, take the track furthest to the left. It leads to a small chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame du Mont. Stay on the ridge.

(1) The path joins a wide forest lane where large boundary markers are placed at regular intervals: this is the Swiss border. Follow it to the left for 1.5 km.

(2) At marker no. 154, take a path on the right; 200 metres further on, take a path on the left that descends and joins another much wider path, still on the left. At the edge of the woods, cross the Vendeline and follow the D13 on the left.

(3) Opposite the first house and before the "France" sign, go up the customs officers' path to the ridge. Continue along the border to marker no. 148.

(4) You can make a 300-metre round trip to the Trois Puissances boundary marker.
Leave the border and continue left on a path that descends to Réchésy. Follow Rue du Réservoir, then Rue de la Côte.

(5) Turn right onto Rue du Haut de la Côte, then left onto Route de Pfetterhouse, followed by Rue d'Uberstrasse and then right onto Grande Rue.

(6) At the crossroads, turn right onto Chemin de Seppois. Follow this road heading north-east then north. Pass three small ponds on your right.

(7) At elevation 420 after the third pond, turn left and then walk along the two ponds "Entre les Bois". Join the D463 and follow it for 100 metres to the left.

(8) Just before the Carré du Souvenir, take the gravel path that enters the forest. At the picnic area, continue left for about 2km. This path leads to the D13, passing near the Étang du Bambois.

(9) Opposite, take the path that leads to a driveway and turn left to join the D463.

(10) Follow this road for 400 metres. After the woods, turn left along a hedge in the middle of a field. This path leads to the D20.

(11) Follow it for 5 metres, then turn right onto a path that descends, crossing the Vendeline stream. Just after the "Petit Tacot" hiking shelter, you will find the football field and the multipurpose hall (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,345 ft - Stadium car park
1 : mi 1.07 - alt. 1,795 ft - France-Switzerland border
2 : mi 2.08 - alt. 1,631 ft - Marker 154
3 : mi 2.72 - alt. 1,394 ft - House before the France sign
4 : mi 3.1 - alt. 1,621 ft - Marker no. 148
5 : mi 3.87 - alt. 1,483 ft - Rue du Haut de la Côte on the right
6 : mi 4.18 - alt. 1,427 ft - On the right, take the Seppois path.
7 : mi 5.68 - alt. 1,375 ft - On the left after the third pond.
8 : mi 6.42 - alt. 1,348 ft - Memorial square
9 : mi 8.1 - alt. 1,352 ft - Crossing the D13
10 : mi 8.58 - alt. 1,385 ft - Junction D463
11 : mi 9.28 - alt. 1,368 ft - D20 junction
S/E : mi 10.15 - alt. 1,345 ft - Stadium car park

Notes

Bring identification documents as the hike passes through Switzerland.

Visorando was informed by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on brochures published by the Belfort regional council.

Worth a visit

The boundary stones
Along the current French-Swiss border, you can see numerous boundary stones, some of which are stamped with the fleur-de-lis emblem, symbol of royalty. A short detour takes you to a group of three boundary stones. The tallest of these is called the Bornes des Trois Puissances (Three Powers Boundary Stones). Erected in 1871, it was the meeting point of France, Switzerland and Germany.

The Maison de l'Académie
On 14 September 1915, French President Raymond Poincaré visited Réchésy and the house known as the "Académie". In reality, it was a military intelligence centre used to monitor the German press and intercept enemy correspondence.

The Carré du Souvenir
Several monuments commemorating the liberation of the region are gathered here. During an attack in November 1944, the ambulance drivers of General de Lattre de Tassigny's First French Army (medical battalion
) came under German fire. This monument pays tribute to them.

The Belfort Sundgau
This landscape dotted with ponds is sometimes referred to as the "little Sologne of Belfort". The impermeable subsoil has encouraged the formation of wetlands that are now home to remarkable flora and fauna: more than two hundred species of birds have been observed here. These ponds were dug by Cistercian monks to raise carp as a substitute for meat during Lent. Today, this tradition continues thanks to fish farmers. The Étang du Bambois in Réchésy is undoubtedly one of the prettiest in the area.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5

Route interest
4.2 / 5

jean-marie.baur

18 May 2026 at 08:31 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the route in reverse; setting off at 9.00 am, we arrived at the Three Borders Hut at midday, where we had lunch out of the rain

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Lameijegr

08 May 2026 at 18:58 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely route, mostly along footpaths, with some sections on country lanes and forest tracks. None of it is particularly difficult, and the route is well signposted throughout by the Belfort Territorial General Council. You’ll discover the area’s typical landscapes: deciduous forests, ponds, meadows and fields, marshy patches, and so on. And of course, the border markers, no doubt well maintained by the Swiss customs authorities.
I walked and guided a group on 6 May 2026, having walked it for the first time on 1 May 2026 to familiarise myself with the route. So I’ve done it in two very different conditions: first under a hot sun on very dry ground, then on wet ground (but without mud) and with rain at midday.
The second time, we set off from point 8, at the ‘Carré du Souvenir’. Advantage: a large car park, and use of the lovely shelter next to the ‘Three Powers’ boundary stone for a picnic (which was very welcome in the rain!) after covering the first 11 km of the route. For your information, this shelter is equipped with a lovely BBQ facility. Starting at point 8 also has the advantage of placing the hilly section around the halfway point.

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User 3621075

13 Mar 2026 at 13:47 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through woods and countryside, with a short detour into Switzerland.
The start of the route was a bit chaotic at the end of March. The ground was soggy and forestry work hadn’t helped the path. After the first climb, everything became smoother.
Thanks to Balisage 90 for the work of the volunteers on site.

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Jean-Claude TYRODE

28 Aug 2025 at 11:33 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Easy circuit with two or three climbs, but there is virtually no view between the forest on a large part of the route and the cornfields.

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RafRuns

17 Jun 2024 at 10:35 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Many thanks to the author of this beautiful hike. A lovely discovery not far from my home.
An easy, charming and peaceful route in the forest, along the banks of ponds, between France and Switzerland.
A bit muddy yesterday after the night's rain, but still fine!
Thank you!

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Dominique Eme

30 Apr 2024 at 21:21 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but we only did the "sentier des bornes" section. We didn't do the second circular in the plain because of a foot injury. The day before our walk, it had rained all day. It was very muddy and slippery, which led to a moderately controlled fall and a shortened walk, but it was still a very pleasant outing.

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Groupe-Rando-25

25 Apr 2023 at 19:13 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Clear signage and varied landscapes. Marshy areas, slippery in places due to recent rain. Still a beautiful hike nonetheless.

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Goretex

15 Feb 2023 at 10:26 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, very varied hike in the heart of nature on a sunny day.
There were virtually no problems with the route, except at point 9/10, at the junction with the D 463, where you have to turn right for 400 metres, even though the arrow at the edge of the woods indicated to turn left. However, we were soon able to make out the yellow circle on the right from a distance. Otherwise, it was perfect.
Thank you.

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matt068

04 Sep 2021 at 16:04 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little Sunday stroll.
However, the route, which is popular with mountain bikers and trial enthusiasts, is unfortunately muddy and marshy at the end.

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Oliv25

25 May 2020 at 08:52 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The hike is nice, but we had a few problems along the way.
At point 3, the climb through the forest to return to France is marked as prohibited due to fallen trees.
At point 4, the route to the Trois Puissances boundary marker is also prohibited.
We had to turn back at point 7 because the path to the farm is closed.
The entire hike looks nice, and we will try to do it again when possible.

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Demangeon

22 Oct 2018 at 16:36 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike, very varied. Note that there is a problem with the route on the map on the boundary stone trail: the route is incorrect. Between point 1 and point 2, you must go down to the left as indicated in the description and not follow the route that tells you to go right. After the three small ponds, the markings are well hidden. You need to walk along the cultivated field to see them.

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Cyrielle57

04 Jun 2018 at 10:53 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A wonderful walk in nature. Two minor issues with the signposting: the first is after 1.5 km along the markers (you have to continue downhill to the left) and the second is after the three small ponds, where the signposting is well hidden; you have to walk along the cultivated field to see it.
We will do this hike again.

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Roussette72

21 May 2018 at 10:13 7200

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

The directions for the first part are sometimes unclear, whereas they are very clear for the last part. Regarding points of interest: undergrowth and country lanes with no interesting views. The points of interest mentioned are there, but can be seen without walking the entire route. There is therefore no justification for the length of the route.

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