Le tour de la Combe David - 68 red

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Loop for occasional or regular mountain bikers, alternating technical passages and rolling paths. Discovering the forest and the calm of the Mont Noir Forest!

After a start on white paths along the lake and the peat bog, the route leads you into the forest away from villages and dwellings. White paths, singles and forest roads provide regular mountain bikers with the pleasure of a varied and exotic outing for a few hours.

4 points of interest

Bécassine des Marais - F.CROSET
Fauna
The common snipe
Although several species of water birds can be seen in this area, the common snipe is one of the most emblematic. This migratory bird loves humid environments where it can hide and feed. Its long, thin beak has a flexible end enabling it to feel for its prey in water or mud, close to the high vegetation on the shore. This allows it to feed mostly on invertebrates. Today, the common snipe is one of the rarest and most endangered nesting species in France. But here, a keen ear may still be lucky enough the hear its “drumming”, the sound that it makes during its courtship display flights, usually at dusk during the spring months.
Epicéas en bordure de forêt - A.RULLIER
Flora
The spruce
A widespread conifer in Europe, this tree is the ultimate tree of mountainous regions. Some high-quality wood can be used for lutherie to make soundboards for various instruments (violins, guitars, etc.). However, most of production is used for lumber (construction and woodwork).

It is often confused with fir. However, a keen eye will be able to notice a difference in the needles, which are pointed on the spruce and flat and rounded on the fir, or in the position of the cones (fir cones). The spruce’s cones direct downwards at the end of drooping branches, whilst the fir’s cones point upwards at the end of upright branches.
Maison de Sous le Mont Noir - PNRHJ - F. Jeanparis
History & Heritage
Hamlet and neighbourhood
A place of family history and a geographical marker, houses are part of an often-strong neighbour and inter-knowledge network. Some farms or lands bear the name of one of their former occupants when the latter left a mark. In a dispersed housing context, in which hamlets are far apart from one another, the specific characteristics of their natural environment - and even personal histories - also give them their names: Sous le Mont Noir, Grange à l’Olive, etc.
Oratoire - PNRHJ - F. Jeanparis
History & Heritage
Combe David oratory
Often erected on sites with natural characteristics and sacred virtues, oratories are usually an expression of a very localised devotion and are linked to a family or a hamlet’s culture. Engraved over the door is the inscription “Ex-Voto”. Traditionally an offering to give thanks, Ex Voto can also be an entire monument.

Description

From LE BUGNON, the route (MTB 68 red markings) takes the motorable path to Sous le Mont Noir.
Turn right to fairly quickly reach a track penetrating into the forest. Cross this forest area alternating between narrow technical paths and wider paths to reach LA GRANGE A L'OLIVE.
On the right, a continuous climb on a passable path leads to La Montée des Chevaux.
The route continues uphill on the right to COMBE DAVID, then by a gentle and continuous descent to the hamlet LA NORBIERE.
Take the Canadian passage to cross the pasture and continue on your right through the woods. A few steep and stony passages await you before La forêt de la Norbière.
A well-deserved break can be taken at the GROTTE A PIERRE DU BOURG before returning, through various grassy and playful passages, to the Chemin de la Grotte, the Chemin Fumey and the Chemin Chiron.
Short climbs and descents alternate up to the CROIX DES BESSES then a slightly technical descent leads to Les Gouilles and the forest shelter.
Turn left to reach the Carrefour de la Croix by a small forest path, from which we find the forest road allowing you to return to the starting point.

Departure : Domaine du Bugnon, Les Thévenins, 39150 Lac-des-Rouges-Truites
Arrival : Domaine du Bugnon, Les Thévenins, 39150 Lac-des-Rouges-Truites
Towns crossed : Lac-Des-Rouges-Truites, Foncine-Le-Bas, Foncine-Le-Haut, Chapelle-Des-Bois, and Morbier

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.