Walk through the Mont Forest

Park in the car park beneath the statue of the Virgin Mary, on Rue du Four in Chaux. It is situated opposite 10 Rue de la Fraternité in Belfort.

Red Ring signposting.

(S/E) Take the path leading up towards the forest. 50 metres from the edge of the woods, turn right.

(1) After the barrier, follow the path on the right known as the ‘Corniche’. This path is easy to walk and relatively flat. The high-voltage EDF power lines offer some lovely views:
- over the town of Belfort (the residential areas and the whole of the urban area),
- over the fortified site (the Château, the Forts de la Justice and the Fort de la Miotte),
- over the Jura mountains, towards ChasseraI and the Vosges from the Ballon d’Alsace to the Roosberg.

(2) After passing under the power line for the third time, the path descends, turns and joins a much wider track used by logging vehicles.

(3) When this track curves sharply to the right, carry on straight ahead and then turn left. This track follows the boundary between the municipalities of Essert and Belfort (marked with red paint on the trees). Along this stretch, you can admire three monumental boundary stones. At the third one, turn left, pass under the EDF power line, then turn right and continue to follow the boundary between the municipalities. The route descends gently to the first junction.

(1) Follow the same route as on the way out to return to the starting car park (S/E).

.Visorando was provided with information by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on brochures published by the Belfort Department of Territorial Planning.

The boundary markers:
The oldest boundary markers date back to 1711; they were erected to define the boundaries between Belfort and Essert more precisely.
They are numbered and marked ‘BF’ for the Belfort side and ‘ES’ for the Essert side. Engraved in relief on them are the coats of arms of the lords of Essert (a shield featuring fleurs-de-lis or a sheep’s head) and the arms of the City of Belfort (the Tour de la Miotte or a chequered shield).

The Cravanche Cave:
A listed natural site, it was discovered by chance in 1876 by two labourers. After widening the entrance, they entered the cave and discovered a Neolithic necropolis dating from 3000 to 4000 years BC, as well as superb limestone formations. The bones, tools and pottery shards are on display at the History Museum of the Belfort Citadel. The cave is closed from November to March to protect the five species of bat that live there. It is usually closed but may be open to visitors on exceptional occasions.

The Glacière Cave:
Another karst site near the Grotte de Cravanche: the Grotte de la Glacière has been explored since 1835. The upper part was converted into a cellar and icehouse to store beer from the local brewery. Remains from this period are still visible (the site is not open to the public).

The Techn’hom:
The heart of Belfort’s industrial sector, it is home to two energy giants in particular: General Electric and Alstom. It is within these massive buildings that the world’s largest electric turbines are designed.