Lepuix walks

A hike through the undergrowth of the magnificent Vosges forest, offering a cool respite on hot summer days. Discover the beautiful village of Lepuix and take a detour to the Col de la Rougerie to enjoy the panoramic view of the Ballon de Servance. Walk in the Ballons Comtois Nature Reserve: dogs not permitted.

A lovely circular walk starting from Lepuix. You’ll discover a charming village with a beautiful church, an old sawmill that’s almost still in working order, and the Priory of Saint-Benoît de Chauveroche. The walk takes place mainly through woodland. The cool, refreshing atmosphere is particularly welcome on hot summer’s days. This route is signposted.

The circular Belles Filles in Lepuix Often shaded and very varied, this walk alternates between woodland and dry grasslands, natural curiosities and local heritage. The route is marked with a red disc.

This moderate-difficulty walk begins gently on the southern and then western slopes of the Lepuix-Malvaux valley. It follows the forest road for much of the way both out and back, offering fine views of the various surrounding hamlets and hills. The forest also offers various points of interest thanks to the majesty of its tall deciduous and coniferous trees; it is light and welcoming.

This hike begins on the western flank of Mont Jean, through a forest interspersed with clearings offering magnificent views of the Savoureuse valley and the surrounding peaks. It reaches its peak at the Col du Chantoiseau, a haven of peace at the crossroads, at the foot of the Tremontkopf, which offers a view of the Riervescemont valley and its hills.

A lovely walk that alternates between pastures, woodland and views over the Savoureuse and Riervescemont valleys, as well as the surrounding hills. You’ll pass through enchanting spots, sometimes in the shade, sometimes with unobstructed views, along paths and forest tracks.

This long circular hike will take you through or past a large number of remarkable, picturesque and spectacular spots, and you’ll have the satisfaction of having climbed the Ballon d’Alsace with a significant elevation gain – something not everyone gets to do. The route can be completed in a long day’s walk, provided you are in good shape and set off early in the morning. It is very manageable over two days at a more leisurely pace, with an overnight stay at the Ballon d’Alsace.

A very pleasant walk that allows you to explore parts of Giromagny and Lepuix. During the walk, you’ll discover a flat landscape along the Savoureuse river and a beautiful forest on the foothills of the Vosges mountains. You’ll walk around the huge Lepuix quarry. A good climb, a gentle descent, a walk mostly through the forest. This walk is signposted.

This relatively easy walk, which presents no navigational difficulties, starts in Giromagny. It heads towards Auxelles-Haut and forms a circular route halfway up Mont Ordon-Verrier. On the return journey, the path partly follows the Giromagny-Lepuix Mining Trail and passes through beautiful deciduous and coniferous forests throughout.

This stage is the last of the Club Vosgien's red rectangle trail through the Vosges. This stage is classified as moderate as there is virtually no elevation gain. Most of the hike takes place under forest cover. The stage starts in the small town of Giromagny and ends in the beautiful city of Belfort, passing by Bartholdi's Lion, a must-see photo spot for those completing the Vosges crossing!

This hike will take you on a journey through history, right into the heart of the industrial golden age. This hike is signposted.

This hike will take you to the entrance of old silver and copper mines dating back to the 16th century, when the village of Giromagny surpassed Belfort in population. The trail is signposted.

A very pleasant walk offering the chance to discover the architectural treasures of Giromagny. Some landscapes of meadows and forests with beautiful views over the Savoureuse valley. The route is signposted.

A very pleasant walk offering the chance to discover the architectural treasures of Giromagny. Some scenery featuring meadows and forests, and beautiful views over the Savoureuse valley. The route passes by Fort Dorsner, which formed part of the defence line after 1870. The route is signposted.

After a circular walk around the fort’s moats and perhaps a visit to the fort itself, a gentle descent through the shade follows the route of the access road that once led to the fort, winding through the woodland. The return journey along the bottom of the valley beside the Ruisseau Le Gombois offers the chance to enjoy the cool, refreshing air to the full.

This lovely walk will take you to discover one of the forts designed by General Séré de Rivières to protect the Belfort Gap: Fort Dorsner, built in 1875 and reinforced in 1879. The walk is marked with a Red Ring.

Ponds, waterfalls, undergrowth: an authentic walk in the heart of nature to reconnect with yourself and breathe deeply. One of the most beautiful hikes near Belfort. If it has rained recently, the waterfalls are magnificent. The hike is marked with a blue disc.

A very beautiful hike with a stunning view from the summit of Ballon d'Alsace over two other ballons. This hike takes us to the remarkable sites of Saut de la Truite, Rummel Waterfall, Étang du Petit Haut and Vierge du Ballon.

A very beautiful walk around the Goutte de la Louvière. This walk leads to the Plain Baleroy and then close to the Tête des Mineurs on the ridge between Vescemont and Lamadeleine-Val-des-Anges. It starts at a place called Le Plainot and passes through various locations, each as beautiful as the next. Pastures, coniferous and deciduous forests greet us at every turn.

A lovely hike undertaken in April. The route leads to the summit of the Ballon de Servance (the boundary marker is inaccessible as it is situated on military land). From this vantage point, hikers will enjoy views of Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle and the Ballon d'Alsace.

A walk without any particular difficulty in the southern foothills of the Vosges. Perfect for the start or end of the season.

A very pleasant walk in the foothills of the Vosges.The walk follows mostly wide, gently sloping paths.Beautiful views over the valleys.Several picnic spots with shelter.The route is marked by a Red Ring.

This is a moderate hike on a path that crosses a magnificent Vosges forest. Between the trees towards the Col du Chantoiseau, there is a view of the Swiss Jura. Experienced hikers can take a detour from the Chantoiseau to Tremonkopf for a 360° view. The descent from Chantoiseau reveals a view of Planche des Belles Filles and Ballon d'Alsace. The end of the route crosses the pretty village of Planche le Prêtre.

A lovely walk in the Southern Vosges with beautiful panoramic views, the Wissgrutt pastures and the chance to explore distinctive rocks and boulders (Grande Roche, Pierre Écrite, Roche du Serpent).

A walk around the Rhôme valley via the Chemin des Stèles du Souvenir to the Col du Querty. The return route follows the forest road, which is a circular route that loops round the Montagne de la Suisse.

An easy circular walk starting from the very pretty mountain village of Auxelles-Haut, which follows sections of the Sentier du Souvenir and the Sentier des Mines. Stunning panoramic views over Auxelles and Mont Ménard, Malsaucy, Véronne, Salbert and the valley leading down to Plancher-Bas. The route passes through a magnificent forest.

The heritage of the Chemin de la Mémoire, in conjunction with the Association du Souvenir Français. You will find monuments, steles and explanatory panels commemorating the sacrifice of the resistance fighters in 1944. You will discover a wide variety of landscapes: the village of Auxelles-Haut, the forest, the Querty stubble field, the Planche des Belles Filles resort and a superb view of the Haute-Saône mountains, the Vosges, the Jura and the Alps. The hike is signposted.

This beautiful walk will take you from the charming village of Auxelles-Haut to the summit of the Planche des Belles Filles. You will cross the vast moorland of Mont Ménard with its statue of the Virgin Mary, protector of the village, and the thatched roof of the Querty. Several beautiful viewpoints punctuate a walk offering beautiful forest scenery.

This day-long hike combines the best of the hikes already offered in this area, including the mines, the Belles Filles pond, Le Querty, the summit of La Planche, the shelter and statue of the Virgin Mary at Mont Ménard, and memorial sites (steles and monuments).

This family-friendly route starts in the charming mountain village of Auxelles-Bas and alternates between river, rural and wooded areas. The route is marked.

The hike begins with a forgotten path that deserves to be preserved. Access to the Querty grassland is very regular in a magnificent forest. Climb towards La Planche des Belles Filles then descend to Auxelles via the superb panorama of Mont Ménard.

A lovely hike to do in summer. A beautiful viewpoint over Saint Maurice sur Moselle and another lovely one over the Ballon d'Alsace.

A shaded hike in the Ballon d'Alsace massif, taking place entirely in the undergrowth, and therefore particularly pleasant during the intense summer heat.

A very pleasant walk, easily accessible to everyone, both in terms of difficulty and navigation. It starts from a car park on the edge of the forest and follows, for the most part, a forest track. This passes by the magnificent Rummel waterfalls, then leads to the beautiful site of the Étang des Roseaux. You then cross the Plain de l'Épine forest briefly to reach the Grande Goutte clearing and its refuge, a haven of peace between Haute-Saône and Ballon d'Alsace.

This pretty route through meadows and woods is not difficult and the elevation gain is very moderate. It is a family walk suitable for young children. It offers some beautiful views and allows you to discover the grassy slopes of Gentiane, Wissgrut and Tremontkopf, as well as little-used forest paths.

A superb snowshoe hike starting from the Col de la Gentiane, near Ballon d'Alsace, 30 km north of Belfort. This hike will allow you to discover the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Vosges and, if you are lucky enough to have clear weather, you can admire the Swiss Alps and even Mont Blanc.

A family walk in unspoilt, lush countryside at an average altitude of 950 m and with no difficulty. The first part of the route is below the Plain de la Gentiane, in the forest among century-old trees and lush vegetation. Once you reach the Wissgrut, the return journey is along the ridge through sun-drenched pastures with panoramic views of four departments.

This walk leads, without any major difficulty, to the Col du Ballon. It begins on a forest track leading to the beautiful Étang du Petit Haut, which makes a good spot for a break. Then, through the shady Fagnes forest, it leads to the ridge path at a place called Les Démineurs, where a monument dedicated to the bomb disposal experts stands.

This circular walk starts and ends near the Grand Langenberg farmhouse inn. It follows the north-facing slope of the Ballon d’Alsace National Forest above the Wagenstallbach and Doller valleys. It leads to the ridge of the Wissgrut and Gentiane scree slopes, which marks the border between departments 68 and 90, then passes beneath the Tête des Redoutes to return to the starting point.

A hike for those who enjoy a good trudge. The hike can be done in winter, if necessary with snowshoes, bearing in mind the steep gradients encountered throughout the route and particularly over the final few hundred metres. A beautiful hike with Lac d'Alfed as the focal point and the climb up to the ridge.

A challenging hike to discover the secrets of the Ballon d'Alsace! It is not recommended for people who are prone to vertigo.

This magnificent hike starting from the summit of the Ballon d'Alsace offers spectacular views of the Vosges, the Jura and the Swiss Alps. The hike is signposted.

Starting from the Col du Ballon d'Alsace, this circular route takes you on a circuit around the summit before crossing wild maple forests and the rocky, steep south-eastern slopes of the mountain. A visit to the summit plateau, a future Grand Site de France, is a highlight of this hike, offering breathtaking views over Lorraine, Alsace and Franche-Comté. On the other side, far from the “crowds” of the Ballon, the unassuming farmhouse inn at Grand Langenberg is a peaceful haven where it’s lovely to stop for a break before setting off again.

This is a pleasant hike, starting with a slight descent into the woods, with almost the entire climb being open.

It is very easy to walk around the summit of Ballon d'Alsace on a wide, easily accessible path. The route I suggest here is much longer but also more spectacular. It is a real little hike, sometimes a little alpine, along picturesque, little-known and little-used paths. It is more demanding than what we are used to in the Vosges and is reserved for experienced and well-equipped walkers. As with any hike, do not start it at the end of the day, as the duration can vary greatly depending on your fitness and experience, and it is dangerous at night. Please note that in spring there may still be snow (or even a lot of snow). Moderator's note added on 26/08/2021: Some hikers have found this hike to be quite difficult in certain sections. See the reviews at the bottom of this page.

The ultimate Sunday outing for Belfort residents! In good weather, this short circuit allows you to get a breath of fresh air accompanied by a magnificent view of the Vosges, the Jura and the Alps (you can even see Mont Blanc on a very clear day!).

This hike takes you down from Ballon d'Alsace to Giromagny. It is the continuation of the Vosges crossing, proposed by DNA, Passion Vosges and the Journal d'Alsace (see practical information). The first few kilometres are along the ridges, with views of the Black Forest, the Rhine Valley and even the Alps. During this same section, you may come across several ski resorts, such as La Chaumière and La Gentiane. A farmhouse inn at Wissgrut offers lunch. Further on, a shelter at the Col du Chantoiseau provides a place to picnic. The descent then continues, sometimes more steeply than others. The arrival in Giromagny offers views of the city of Belfort.

This beautiful route begins with two remarkable peaks in the Vosges and offers beautiful views of the upper Moselle valley, before reaching the Pays des Étangs.