A challenging hiking trail, rare habitats and concrete traces of mining give Auxelles-Haut several clearly distinct points of interest. You can plan your trip around nature and views, a longer hike, or local history and community events.
Hiking: distance, difficulty and summit
The Sentier du souvenir is a challenging 12.3-kilometre hiking trail in Auxelles-Haut. Distance and difficulty go hand in hand: when planning your day, the route should not be treated like a short walk. Check local conditions before setting out.
One hike leads to the summit of the Planche des Belles Filles at 1,148 metres; it is the highest point of the route. The two hiking tips highlight different aspects: the Sentier du souvenir is notable for its length and difficulty, while the Planche stands out for the altitude of its summit. This lets you consider hikes according to the specific features that matter for your plans.
Lande du Mont Ménard and nature
The Lande du Mont Ménard lies within the municipality of Auxelles-Haut and offers an exceptional viewpoint. Its heathland and acidophilous grassland habitats are among the very rare habitats in Franche-Comté. This brings together a specific viewpoint and a rare habitat: you can pair views of the landscape with a nature feature of regional significance.
Auxelles-Haut is also part of the Ballons Comtois Natura 2000 site. The Lande du Mont Ménard is known for its special viewpoint and rare habitats; the Natura 2000 designation places the municipality within the Ballons Comtois site. Each offers a distinct way to experience the natural side of the town.
Mining heritage and local history
Auxelles-Haut’s mining heritage includes former mine entrances on Rue de la Stolle, Rue de la Suisse and Rue des Bruyères. The street names locate these historic traces within the municipality and give the subject a concrete connection to the place.
The St Jean mine played an important role: its deposit extended from Auxelles-Bas to Mont Ménard. It was the most profitable and longest-exploited mine. The distribution of the former entrances and the extent of this deposit show two different spatial aspects of the mining heritage.
Culture, events and regional cuisine
The Centre culturel d’Auxelles-Haut hosts exhibitions, film screenings and hikes, and publishes booklets on local history. Its programme ranges from events to more in-depth exploration of the town’s history. Activities may change over time; check the specific programme if you want to plan your stay around a particular offering.
The Jeunesse Quichelotte association organises the Saint Nicholas celebration for children every year. At the Christmas market, it serves visitors traditional Totchés. These two occasions have different focuses: the Saint Nicholas celebration is aimed at children, while Totchés are part of the Christmas market’s culinary offerings. Check the dates and programme locally before making plans.
The Refuge du Querty as a special rental option
The Refuge du Querty can be rented, but it is accessible only on foot and has neither running water nor electricity. Access on foot and the basic facilities are key factors when deciding whether this option suits your plans. If you are considering the Refuge, check rental availability locally and find out about local conditions before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Lachapelle-Sous-Chaux, Cravanche, Buc, Bavilliers, Bourogne, Chaux, Andelnans, Rougegoutte.
For the broader travel overview: Territoire De Belfort.
