Tour of the Petit Salbert

A very pretty walk through the woodland that circles a legendary spot, the Salbert, near Belfort. A short detour to the viewing platform offers a superb 360° view of the Haute-Saône, beautiful lakes at the foot of the Vosges mountains, the town of Belfort and the Alps on a clear day.
This walk is signposted.

Details

n°1609079

Creation:
06 Nov 2018

Last update:
02 May 2023

Last review:
09 Oct 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 2.56 km
Average duration: 0h 50
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 25 m
Descent: - 25 m
Highest point: 620 m
Lowest point: 595 m

Country: France
City: Belfort (90000)
Start/End: N 47.662384° / E 6.823896°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3520ET, 3621OT
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Description of the walk

From Cravanche, Fort du Salbert is accessible via the D4. It is clearly signposted. Park in a hairpin bend, 800 m before the end of the road, near a path blocked by a barrier.

The path is marked with a Yellow Ring.

(S/E) Take the path between the main track and the road heading west.

(1) After 700 m, join the^GR®5, continue straight on and, 50 m further on, leave the^GR®5which descends to the right. Continue straight on, staying at roughly the same altitude.

The path then goes round the hill and crosses a track marked with a Blue Disc. (Another hike, “Dans Le Salbert”, which starts from Cravanche).

(2) Continue straight on. The path joins a track.

(3) Shortly afterwards, you’ll cross the^GR®5. At this point, take a short detour by following the^GR®5to the left, which climbs to the summit 3 metres higher. At the summit, there’s a superb 360° panoramic view. It’s breathtaking and absolutely not to be missed. The path then joins the D4 road; follow it to return to the start (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 595 m - Parking in a hairpin bend on the road
1 : km 0.81 - alt. 612 m - Junction with the GR5
2 : km 1.39 - alt. 607 m - Crossroads with a path marked with a Blue Disc
3 : km 1.92 - alt. 618 m - Junction with the GR5
S/E : km 2.56 - alt. 595 m - Parking in a hairpin bend on the road

Notes

Visorando was informed by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90.
The route is marked with a Yellow Ring.

Worth a visit

The Salbert, between the Vosges and the Jura.
Geologically speaking, Salbert Hill (alt. 647 m) is composed of schist and has the distinction of being the first peak of the Vosges massif. Mont Hill, situated just further south, is composed of limestone from the Jura massif. The boundary between these two geological worlds is a fault that formed Cravanche Cave.
At the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the region.

Fort du Salbert
This Séré de Rivières-style fort was designed to monitor the communication routes around Belfort. Named after General Lefebvre, it was built in 1874 to house 500 men and 44 guns. It featured artillery platforms on the rampart crowning the moat as well as above its central barracks.

An optical telegraph station.
When you arrive in front of the fort, you will notice a curious, isolated ruin; this is an optical telegraph station that enabled communication with the forts of Mont Vaudois, Mont Bart and as far as Besançon.

A NATO underground base.
In 1953, a major NATO radar station was built: vast underground premises housing the technical installations and an air defence operations room were constructed. The base was operational for only a short time. Its entrances are now sealed off.

A mountain bike enduro area.
Several downhill mountain bike trails wind their way down the slopes of the Salbert, with a vertical drop of around 700 metres in the heart of the forest. It is therefore not uncommon to come across fully kitted-out mountain bikers.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

Jean Luc C

09 Oct 2023 at 10:43 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Sorry about my previous comment, but it wasn't meant for this hike, which is actually really good. 👍👍

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Jean Luc C

09 Oct 2023 at 10:36 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It’s not an easy hike, especially for people who’ve had a heart problem. 👍

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chevalley@wanadoo

01 May 2023 at 21:23 7200

Thank you for your comment, which shows your interest in our beautiful region.

I have updated the description.

Indeed, the view from this spot is breathtaking. The Southern Vosges range, the Planche des Belles Filles, the Haute-Saône mountains, the Swiss Jura and, on a clear day, the entire Swiss Alps: the Jungfrau... and the French Alps with Mont Blanc.
And all this just a stone’s throw from Belfort, accessible on foot, by bike or by car...
Yes, our region is beautiful...

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Baladeuse66

01 May 2023 at 20:22 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

At point 3, you must climb the 3 metres to reach Fort du Salbert.
It is important to highlight the description for this point, which provides access to the fort site and the Telegraph Tower.
From this plateau, you follow a circular route offering breathtaking panoramic views of the region and the Malsaucy ponds (on that day, I completed both walks): it’s magnificent, provided you don’t miss that 3-metre climb up a small path on the left!

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franny9051

27 Jul 2021 at 18:39 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I live in Belfort, and when it comes to hiking, we often overlook what’s right on our doorstep!