belfort-tourisme.com - Official site for Tourism in Belfort and the Territoire de Belfort
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Accueil | To see and do | Outdoors |
Outdoors
The Territoire de Belfort offers myriad possibilities for having fun in a protected environment, particularly with the nearby Ballon d’Alsace, a registered National Site.
This peak of the Comté Vosges is an ideal playground for lovers of outdoor activities and winter sport enthusiasts.
The banks of its lakes and rivers lend themselves to relaxing or strolling. In Belfort, just a few minutes by foot from the city centre, the étang des Forges is a must-see nature destination. Its footpath, the Roselière awaits your for an informative walk. It is also home to a marina which offers a range of hobbies such as sailing, canoeing and rowing. Six kilometres from there, you can delight in sampling the many outdoor activities proposed by
the marina and leisure centre at the Lac du Malsaucy, a site prized by Belfort's residents when the sun's first rays hit.
The department also abounds in numerous marked trails which will entice lovers of rambling, horseback riding, mountain biking and cycling.
IN THE AIR
To survey the region from the skies and appreciate its woods and lakes, towns and villages, there is only one option: take flight. It could be a mere scenic tour or the prelude to beginner's lessons or a proficiency workshop. Airplane, gliding, microlighting, paragliding... there are many options to choose from.
Over the years the Territoire de Belfort has also become a top destination for hot air ballooning. Discovering Vauban's fortifications and ramparts, the Citadel, Bartholdi's Lion, the lakes, the southern Vosges and the foothills of the Jura will be an unforgettable experience for all passengers, who are free to take photos as they float along the winds.
A can't-miss event: Les Ballons du Territoire
Golf
The Rougemont-le-Château golf course offers splendid views of the Vosges, the Jura and the Swiss Alps. In an exceptional setting at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace, the course offers a natural layout strewn with ponds and 18 extraordinary holes.
Par: 72
Length: 6,007 m
Club open to non-members
Courses open to bearers of the "green card"
Individual and group lessons
Workshops available
Clubs, trolleys and golf carts for hire
Free access to driving range
Pitch and Putt
Competitions open to non-member golfers
Water activities
Etang des Forges
A few minutes from the city centre, the Étang des Forges, with about 30 hectares of water, is a beloved recreational area which features a top-notch nature area. Its marina offers canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. Its abundant fish life draws many fishers to its banks.
In an extraordinary setting, the marina at Malsaucy offers introductory, intermediate and expert lessons in centre-board sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, kayaking, rowing, archery and mountain biking. All these activities are open to children, teenagers and adults.
In addition to the pleasures of swimming, the leisure centre at Malsaucy offers a variety of equipment and activities: pedal boats and surfbikes to explore the lakes nooks and crannies and mini-cruises on replica boats (ferry boat, trawler, steamboat, etc.).
Fishing
Rich in streams and rivers where trout abound, the southern Vosges feature many trails that are more or less easy to access for those in pursuit of sport fishing or mountain lake fishing. A stone’s throw from Belfort, a number of brooks and small rivers lend themselves to serene fishing. You can also try your hand at pond fishing. The myriad bodies of water are one of the principal attractions of the southern Territoire de Belfort.
RaMBLING
The Territoire de Belfort is perfectly suited to rambling, horseback riding and cycling, regardless of your age or sport ability: you can set out for an hour, a day or several days.
From the Vosges massif to the Jura foothills, 670 kilometres of foot trails and 160 kilometres of marked equestrian trails crisscross a department whose topography varies widely to encompass mountains and plains. You will fall under the spell of this gentle, verdant country which combines real, authentic nature with the reassuring and welcoming presence of trail markers, shelters and picnic areas.
As these trails twist and turn their way through a splendid land of freedom, you will get a taste of the simple pleasures of sharing relaxing moments and recharging your batteries.
An exceptional specimen: the Ballon d’Alsace, highest point in the southern Vosges (1247 m). At the convergence of three regions of character (Franche-Comté, Alsace and Lorraine), its history and beauty make it a mecca for ramblers. Two European trails cross paths here:
- the GR5 – E2 which originates in Netherlands and ends in Nice
- the E5 which begins in Venice to cut across France from east to west, terminating at the Pointe du Raz
The summit is also where the GR7 begins for Andorra and the 59 for Chambéry.
These "Grande Randonnée" trails are complemented by a multitude of minor hiking trails that can be used for day-long family treks.
The Randonnée des Forts allows you to discover the fortified perimeter of the Territoire de Belfort with its works dating to the late 19th century. This original, cultural path is suitable for all skill levels, alternating mountains, plains and lakes. It leads from one building to another and regularly overlaps with the ancient path used to deliver fresh supplies to the different sites.
Téléchargez les 27 fiches topos
Fiches rando de la Communauté de communes de la vallée de la Bourbeuse (disponible à la Maison du Tourisme)
Fiches rando de la Communauté de communes du Sud Territoire
Fiches rando de la Communauté de communes du Tilleul (disponible à la Maison du Tourisme)
Cycling - Mountain biking
Clearly marked routes encourage bicycle touring all along country roads and various bike trails. For mountain bike lovers, marked trails of varying degrees of difficulty will fulfil all your wishes. The variety of landscapes and the sometimes steep slope of the Vosges Massif and the valleys of the Jura foothills make all itineraries through the Territoire de Belfort great places for bicycle enthusiasts. The most athletic will test themselves on the routes of the Tour de France by climbing the famous Ballon d’Alsace pass.
In addition to the Randonnée des Forts and other trails, here are two routes that you can enjoy on a mountain bike:
- the southern Vosges starting at Auxelles-Haut, a pleasant trail marked by numerous scenic overlooks
- the Plateau du Jura starting at Beaucourt with 15- and 30-km routes: you will love the magnificent panorama of the Ajoie mountains of Switzerland and those of the Jura
