Memorial trail in Auxelles-Haut

Park in the car park at Auxelles-Haut town hall.
The hike is marked with the FFI symbol.

(S/E) Walk up Rue des Bruyères. Go around the town hall by turning right into Rue des Étangs, pass in front of the church until you reach the stream.

(1) After the last houses, turn right to cross the Rhôme. Take the path opposite, which climbs steeply. At the top, turn right, descend slightly and join Rue des Phalandriers. Continue along this road.

(2) Turn left onto the first path. The signpost indicates this turn-off just before number 20 on the street. A descriptive sign presents the Roger Vaneste stele. The stele is located further up, making a small detour in the middle of the pasture. Then continue north-east and keep climbing to reach the forest path.

(3) Turn left and follow the track. Pass a track on your left and reach the foresters' turning area.

(4) Continue straight ahead. A few metres further on, the path splits. Take the left-hand path and pass two memorial stones. A little further up, rejoin the main path. Continue climbing to the Col du Querty.

(5) Take the wide forest road on the left. Leave a path on the left and follow the hairpin bend to the right. Reach the crossroads of the nature reserve trail.

(6) Turn left onto this path. Enter the Ballons Comtois nature reserve. From this point onwards, you are entering a wildlife sanctuary. Dogs are not allowed here.
At the next crossroads, turn right, ignore the path on the left and continue climbing to reach the Chaume du Querty. Information board.

(7) Climb up this area, passing to the left of two chalets. At the top of the hill, there is a superb view. The path enters the forest and passes by La Roche-Fendue, which is marked by a sign.
Leave the path on the left that climbs to the summit and descend slightly. You will arrive alongside the slopes of the Planche des Belles Filles ski resort. A sign indicates "FFI monument 400m". Don't hesitate to take a detour to read the descriptive sign, which is very informative.

(8) Take the hairpin bend to the left and pass above the ski lift. Cross the meadow and pass under another ski lift.
Continue climbing along the path, which is actually the green downhill ski run. It is also used for the final climb of the Tour de France. The path enters the forest.

(9) Further on, the path branches off to the right.
Note: a variation is particularly recommended: make a round trip by following the path on the left that climbs to the top of the Planche des Belles Filles. Beautiful view at the top.

(9) Continue following the markings. Further on, follow the path to the left. The route remains on the Haute-Saône side, leads to a ridge and then returns to the Territoire de Belfort. Follow the markings carefully, turn left and then a little further on to the right. After a fairly rapid descent, continuing straight ahead, the slope of the path becomes gentle and steady through beautiful beech woods before arriving at the Mont Ménard hut. (open shelter for picnics, possibility of making a fire)

(10) Continue descending opposite to reach a fork.

(11) Follow the path on the left which descends through the Mont Ménard moorland. Pass by the Vierge des Deux Auxelles.
At the barrier at the bottom of the moor, turn left and then immediately right, following a small path. Follow the markings carefully. It joins the forest road a little further down and crosses it. You will arrive at the small astronomical observatory below.

(12) Turn right, walk past the observatory, turn left and walk past the stele and the FFI monument to Mayor Lamboley. Join the stony path and follow it downhill to the right.
Arrive at Auxelles-Haut via Rue Saint-Jean, then turn right onto Rue des Bruyères.

(13) Pass Rue du Château on your right and, at the end of the bend, turn right onto Rue de la Stolle to arrive at the starting point (S/E).

Departure from the car park of the Auxelles-Haut town hall. Address: 18 Rue des Bruyères 90200 Auxelles-Haut.

(6) During this hike, you will enter the wildlife quiet zone of the Ballons Comtois nature reserve. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.
From 15 December to 14 July, please stay on the marked and authorised paths. From 15 July to 14 December, only pedestrians are allowed off the paths.

(11) Mont Ménard hut: open shelter for picnics, possibility of making a fire

(Between 11 and 12) Pass by the Vierge des Deux Auxelles and an information table showing all the peaks visible in good weather (Mont Blanc, Jungfrau, etc.).

Visorando was informed by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on brochures published by the Belfort regional council.
The hike is marked with the FFI symbol.

The legacy of the Chemin de la Mémoire.
This trail was inaugurated in 2011, in conjunction with the Souvenir Français association. That is why, throughout this hike, you will find steles and explanatory panels commemorating the sacrifice of the resistance fighters. The FFI (French Forces of the Interior) of the Belfort Territory were mobilised during the month of September 1944. Their mission was to disrupt German troops through guerrilla warfare.
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Auxelles-Haut, village of La Stolle''.

The village of Auxelles-Haut owes its existence to mining. Traces of this mining activity can still be seen today, such as mine galleries, old miners' houses and slag heaps. The name "rue de la Stolle" in the village also reflects this mining past, as the word "stolle" refers to a gallery.

La Chaume du Querty.

This stubble field is part of the Ballons Comtois nature reserve. Abandoned with the decline of mountain farming in the 1950s, the stubble field has been subject to ecological management measures. These actions have made it possible to establish extensive grazing and maintain an open landscape favourable to the capercaillie.
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The heathland of Mont Ménard.

Acidophilic moors and grasslands are very rare in Franche-Comté. The one on Mont Ménard almost disappeared as a result of agricultural decline and reforestation. Work has been carried out to preserve this site, which is exceptional for the diversity of its fauna and flora.

You are about to cross a Natura 2000 site.
Natura 2000 is a network of European natural sites selected for the rarity or fragility of their wild animal and plant species and their habitats. Natura 2000 implements measures to preserve
ecological diversity and regional development.
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La Planche des Belles Filles.

Rising to an altitude of 1,148 metres, this small mid-mountain resort has enjoyed significant publicity thanks to several Tour de France finishes.

The legend of La Roche Fendue and L'Étang des Belles Filles
Legend has it that La Planche des Belles Filles owes its name to the daughters of Auxelles who fled the Swedish invaders in the 17th century. Betrayed by the footprints in the snow of a child who had come to warn them of the danger, they threw themselves into the Étang de la Planche. Enraged, the Swedish leader struck and split a rock with the edge of his sword.