Bonfol Km 0

The focus of this hike is “Kilometre Zero“, the beginning of the World War I battlefront which extended from the Swiss border to the North Sea. In the forest, you can find the remainders of barriers, look-out posts and bunkers. The path crosses and re-crosses the border several times.

From the Bonfol stop, the hiking trail initially leads through the village and soon enters the forest. At the Chapelle St-Fromond, a gently ascending section begins towards the highest point. Near Notre Dame du Mont, the route reaches its maximum elevation of around 480 m. Woodland and open meadows then alternate; the yellow-marked hiking trail remains mostly gentle and traces a broad arc through the softly rolling landscape.

The Ancien pont ferroviaire, an old railway bridge, forms a striking landmark. The circular route then continues through woodland and across open countryside in gentle undulations. Towards the end, the ponds of Bonfol draw closer. They include the Étang du Milieu and the Neuf-Étang, which are separated by a dam. The trail passes directly by the Étang du Milieu and briefly follows its shore. From there, it is not far back to Bonfol. After 18 kilometres and just over four hours, the circular hike ends near the stop once again.