The Tour of Belfahy via the Col des Chevrères

Perched at an altitude of 850 metres, the village of Belfahy is the highest in Haute-Saône and the Vosges Mountains. The village's name comes from the local word "foyard", meaning beech tree. Ideally located between the Ognon and Rahin valleys, in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, Belfahy has become a popular destination for snowshoeing and hiking enthusiasts. This circular route will take you through coniferous forests with beautiful views of the valley.

Details

3552331
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 220 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 223 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 936 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 787 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Marked trail - Blue Rings

(S/E) Starting from Place du 19 Mars 1962, with the car park behind you, turn right and take the D98 towards Fresse until you reach a place called Les Roches. Continue to the forest.

(1) When you reach a grassy path on your left, next to a house, leave the main road and take this forest path uphill. You are now on theGR®59trail, which crosses the Franche-Comté region. At the antenna, continue along the road for a few metres, then turn right onto the path in the woods. Turn right again, then left twice until you reach the top of the area known as Les Tolots. Take the small tarmac road to a crossroads. On your right are the Belfahy cabins, unusual accommodation located on the site of former ski slopes. Take the road on the left which descends to a large car park.

(2) Once you reach the car park, take the grassy path. Go past the refuge and turn left to join the Col des Chevrères road.

(3) Cross the road, then take the path through the woods opposite. Continue along the forest path. When you reach the top, at the intersection of the forest paths, continue straight ahead. Pass a path on your right, then another on your left, and take the second path coming from this side. Continue straight ahead and pass the Ruisseau de Derrière les Roches waterfall, then climb again and ignore six crossroads. Continue through the woods to reach the Miellenot road at the entrance to Belfahy.

(4) Go up to the left to return to the centre of the village, then left to the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 843 m - Place du 19 Mars 1962
  2. 1 : km 0.9 - alt. 821 m - The forest
  3. 2 : km 3.02 - alt. 913 m - Car park
  4. 3 : km 3.64 - alt. 919 m - Undergrowth - Col des Chevrères
  5. 4 : km 7.63 - alt. 805 m - The Miellenot
  6. S/E : km 8.05 - alt. 843 m - Place du 19 Mars 1962

Worth a visit

Just after the Col des Chevrères, you will find a boundary stone on your left. It is a boundary stone with the three fleurs-de-lis of the Kingdom of France, marking the boundary of the royal forest of La Ravalle, established in 1730. The royal forests were reserved primarily for the needs of the navy, the army and local industry, such as the glassworks in Miellin.

At the Auberge de la Chevauchée in Belfahy, you can sample the village's speciality, wild blueberry tart (brimbelles).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Catherine Catouche
Catherine Catouche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A walk enjoyed in beautiful spring sunshine
No difficulties
However, there was no picnic spot at the end of the route
We took the opportunity to enjoy a generous slice of blueberry tart at the inn, which had just been baked
We’ll do it again

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S BOEHRER
S BOEHRER

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk around the highest village in Haute Saône. Unfortunately for us, the weather was foggy.

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tayou
tayou

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A downhill passage cluttered with nettles and fallen trees

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Colette70
Colette70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy route covered in more than 15 centimetres of snow. It was beautiful with the cold weather and sunshine. We'll try again in the summer!

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ClaudeJ68
ClaudeJ68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route. We travelled it in snowy conditions under a big blue sky – magnificent. We'll do it again in the spring.

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090956
090956

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful trail despite quite a few trees across the path.

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FGECAYA
FGECAYA
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with some lovely climbs, completed on a beautiful, warm day. In some places after the Col des Chevrières, it was a little difficult to find the path because the landscape has been significantly altered by logging and timber hauling.

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Pierrot DAVID
Pierrot DAVID

Hello,
This hike is identical to No. 4849736, except for the starting point, which is different.

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