How long is Tour du Haut Bois?

Tour du Haut Bois is 12.2 km (7.6 mi) long as a full loop. Most walkers complete it in about 2 hr 57 min, not counting stops.

How hard is Tour du Haut Bois?

It is rated moderate, with roughly 268 m (879 ft) of total ascent. The effort is honest but manageable, and the hardest section is over quickly.

How long does Tour du Haut Bois take?

Allow around 2 hr 57 min of moving time. Add a further 30 to 60 minutes for breaks, photographs and lunch.

When is the best time to hike Tour du Haut Bois?

April to October is the most reliable window. Spring through autumn is the natural window, and shoulder season means fewer people on the narrow sections.

Can you bring dogs on Tour du Haut Bois?

Dog access is not formally recorded for this route. Local rules usually allow dogs on a lead, but check signage at the trailhead before you commit to the walk.

Is Tour du Haut Bois suitable for children?

It is a stretch for younger children. At 12.2 km with 268 m (879 ft) of ascent, it suits teenagers and confident young walkers rather than a family stroll.

Is Tour du Haut Bois a loop?

Yes. The route is circular, so you return to your starting point without repeating any section.

Tour du Haut Bois

Name: Tour du Haut Bois
Address: Bourgogne – Franche-Comté, France

ModerateBourgogne – Franche-Comté · France

GPX

Distance: 12.2 km (7.6 mi)
Elevation gain: 268 m (879 ft)
Estimated time: 2 hr 57 min
Difficulty: Moderate
Route type: Loop
Highest point: Not recorded

About Tour du Haut Bois

Tour du Haut Bois is a 12.2 km hiking route in Bourgogne – Franche-Comté, France. It climbs roughly 268 m (879 ft) along the way. Most people take around 2 hr 57 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. It sits firmly in moderate territory: enough climbing to feel like a proper day out, never enough to become a slog.

Tree cover shades most of the route, which makes it a sound choice on hot afternoons.

The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 7.6 mi. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.

It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The nearest town of any size is Belfort, about 7.2 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by Club Vosgien.

In short, Tour du Haut Bois suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Plan around this route’s details

Start, finish and return: This route is recorded as a 12.2 km loop. Confirm a permitted access point and include the approach from parking or public transport in your plan.
Climbing in context: The recorded ascent averages approximately 22 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed.
What needs a separate check: This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.

Understand the source data →Suggest a sourced correction →

Route map

Moderate12.2 km268 m

Numbered marks every 5 km

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Make it fit your day

Your walking-time scenario

Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.

Walking distance (km)

Total ascent (m)

Level-ground pace (km/h)

Extra minutes per 100 m ascent

Stops and extra allowance (min)

Calculated walking time including your allowances

4 hr 0 min

183 min for distance + 27 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.

Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.

Recorded route measurements

The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The gradient is spread evenly, so there is no single section that dictates your pace. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.

Highlights

Forest
Waymarked route
Circular route, no backtracking
Waymarked and signposted

Know before you go

Season field: April to October
Waymarked: Recorded as waymarked
Surface: Not recorded
Dogs: Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access: Not recorded
Entrance fee: Not recorded
Camping: Not recorded
Drinking water: Not recorded as available
Toilets: Not recorded as available
Mobile coverage: Not verified
Parking: Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency: 112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery: 44/100
Adventure: 27/100
Difficulty: 36/100
Accessibility: 56/100
Family: 37/100
Dogs: 70/100

Tips from the trail

Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in France are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
Weatherproof jacket
At least 1.5 litres of water
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
Small first aid kit including blister plasters

Photography

Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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Prepare for this walk

All planning articles →

Understanding the map

Download a GPX route and check it before leaving

Take a route into your navigation app, check the imported line and understand what a GPX download does and does not contain.

Read article →

Planning your day

Loops, out-and-backs and point-to-point return plans

Work out what a route's shape means for distance, endpoints and getting back after the walk.

Read article →

Sources and confidence

What open route data can tell you—and what to verify locally

Distinguish source records, calculated estimates and missing details before relying on a route page.

Read article →

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