Territoire De Belfort: Nature, culture and trails

At Ballon d’Alsace, a viewpoint at an altitude of 1,247 metres offers a 360-degree view. The mountain is also the highest point in Territoire De Belfort. The département is also the only French département where two mountain ranges meet. Between the southern Vosges and the Jura, there are marked hiking trails of varying difficulty, including options for beginners and families.

Mountains, trails and ponds

Territoire De Belfort has a total of 1,246 kilometres of marked trails for walks and longer hikes. At selected locations, discovery trails combine walking with information about local wildlife and plant life: these trails can be found at Ballon d’Alsace, Malsaucy, and near Forges and Verchat. The Véronne trail is considered wheelchair-accessible and suitable for strollers. As these details should be checked before a trip, it is advisable to consult the latest information on conditions.

Bodies of water also shape the landscape: the département has more than 2,000 ponds. Examples include Malsaucy, Véronne, Forges, Seigneurie and Verchat. Reflections at the Verchat pond in Joncherey are a distinctive feature of the landscape. Those who would like to include nature-related activities in their travel plans can also find free year-round exhibitions and activities about flora and fauna at the Maison départementale de l’environnement at Malsaucy. Program details may change.

Malsaucy and cultural attractions

The Presqu’île du Malsaucy is a leisure centre and also the site of the Eurockéennes festival. The François-Mitterrand promenade connects Belfort with the peninsula over a distance of 7 kilometres. When planning a visit, this offers two specific points of interest around Malsaucy: a route between Belfort and the peninsula, and a place for exhibitions and activities about nature.

The département’s cultural heritage includes around 50 historic monuments that are protected or listed as historic monuments. These include museums, churches and castles. The Citadel of Belfort and the Lion of Belfort by Bartholdi are other attractions. In Froidefontaine, the Romanesque apse of a former Cluniac Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century has been preserved. The Eurockéennes is an international festival and a springboard for young artists.

Winter activities and two-wheeled adventures

Ballon d’Alsace has 14 alpine ski runs: six green, three blue, three red and two black. For cross-country skiing, six runs with a total of 22 kilometres of groomed trails are designated in the Nordic area. A black run connects Ballon d’Alsace with Planche des Belles-Filles; it is 21 kilometres long and includes 517 metres of positive elevation gain. Five freely accessible snowshoeing loops start at the Maison du tourisme and at Gentiane. Winter activities and trail lengths depend on the season and operating conditions; check conditions before your trip. The number of alpine ski runs may also change depending on the ski area’s configuration.

For cycling, the FrancoVéloSuisse runs 40 kilometres from Belfort to Porrentruy, passing through Delle in the southern part of the Territoire. Marked trails, enduro mountain biking and activities at Ballon d’Alsace add to the options. The Parc Aventure du Ballon d’Alsace has 120 workshops and 11 courses of varying difficulty for visitors aged three and over. The offer may change; check the latest conditions before visiting.

Regional cuisine and getting there

Regional specialities also add a distinctive touch to a trip. Belflore is a dessert made with almond meringue, hazelnuts and raspberry jam. The cuisine of Territoire De Belfort combines Alsatian and Franche-Comté traditions, including Munster AOP. Another regional speciality is Cancoillotte: a local producer makes it with butter and Metton from Doubs, using a short supply chain.

Territoire De Belfort has three railway stations, including Belfort-Montbéliard TGV station. The département is also served by the A36 motorway and is less than an hour’s drive by road from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. Journey times depend on traffic; check the current route for your travel date. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up your travel interests, such as mountain peaks and winter activities, hiking trails, or culture and Malsaucy.

Discover more destinations: Rougegoutte, Essert, Belfort, Villars-Le-Sec, Lepuix, Andelnans, Danjoutin, Bavilliers, Novillard, Bourogne, Suarce, Meroux, Cravanche, Auxelles-Haut, Lachapelle-Sous-Chaux, Grosne, Giromagny, Offemont, Buc, Bessoncourt, Chaux, Autrechêne, Frais, Grosmagny.

For the broader travel overview: Franche Comte.