Around Rochesson

Head to Rochesson in the Vosges, between Gérardmer and Vagney, via the D23.
Park near the hamlet of Les Truches at a place called Quatre Sous, in a small square at the start of Chemin de la Scierie, behind the bus stop near the Forest House and the recycling bins (signposted ‘Cascade de Battion’).

(S/E) Return to the main road by crossing the bridge over the stream, then follow the tarmac road, Chemin des Noisetiers. At the top of the hill, turn right onto the stony path (marked with a Yellow Ring) until you reach the first crossroads.

(1) Turn right onto the lovely forest road (Red Disc ‘Roche des Ducs’).

(2) When you reach a slight incline, take the path on the left (no markings) and cross the track linking Rochesson to the Col de Sapois. The path begins to climb steeply, leading onto the ridge path connecting the Col de Sapois to the Roche des Ducs.

(3) Turn left (Red Disc “Roche des Ducs”). After a few ups and downs, do not be tempted to follow this well-trodden path but keep an eye out on the right for the track heading towards the Roche (the sign is very poorly positioned). The path becomes rough and difficult. After the first few rocks, you reach the Roche des Ducs plateau and its beautiful view over the valley. Tables and benches are available for a short break whilst enjoying the scenery. (A)

(4) Continue along the route, which features numerous tricky sections, some of which are secured with ropes. Here, the mountain has been battered by glaciers, and the rocks still bear some traces of this. After a pleasant little viewpoint with a bench in the shade of the pines, the path joins a wider track. You can take a short detour to the right to visit the Trou de Baheu, a small cavity in the cliff.

(5) Retrace your steps and continue straight on to the Cinq Sentes crossroads, which has a small, basic shelter with a table and benches.

(6) Turn right onto the easy path (Red Disc) which follows the ridge to reach the Croix de la Houblivière.

(7) Turn left onto the tarmac road towards Rochesson, then immediately after the bend, take the path on the right alongside the holiday homes (no visible markings). Through the tall grass and broom, you’ll reach Les Plains Briseux.

(8) Before the main road, turn right onto Chemin du Lausson, then, at the hairpin bend, take the path on the left (marked with a Red Disc).

(9) At the road, continue left, then, at no. 12, take the lane on the right. Cross the hamlet of Rapois and head down to the D23.

(10) Cross it carefully and walk a few dozen metres to the right, then straight ahead onto the path below the road (marked ‘Saut du Bouchot’ – Cross and Red Disc). The path enters the forest and then descends alongside the stream. Here is a small waterfall, followed further on by the actual Saut du Bouchot. Cross the footbridge and climb up opposite to see the whole of the waterfall, which is about thirty metres high (B). Continue to the car park (picnic area).

(11) Turn left onto the tarmac road and cross the bridge over the Ruisseau de Peute Goutte.

(12) Immediately afterwards, turn right onto the path marked with numerous signs (Red Triangle and Red Disc in this case). The slope is then steep for 300 m.

(13) At the top, make sure to take the gate on the right and climb up through the pasture to a second gate near an old farmhouse.

(14) At the small car park, continue left along the path. This overlooks the valley and then becomes a lovely little road serving a few weekend homes. Do not go down to the hamlet of Orimont.

(15) Turn right onto the path (still marked with a cross and Red Disc) and rejoin a road.

(16) Cross the Goutte du Heroy and, at the end of Chemin de l’Envers d’Orimont, turn right. Walk a few metres then continue left onto Rue de l’Église, passing the first houses of Rochesson.

(17) At the first junction, turn right onto Rue du Damont (no visible markings). About a hundred metres further on, go straight ahead onto Chemin du Bas de Plainfaing and follow the markings (Yellow Disc and Yellow Ring – sign for Cascade du Battion). This is the least pleasant stretch of the day, with a tarmac road that seems to go on forever uphill.

(18) Cross the Goutte de Plainfaing, noting the small hydroelectric power station on the left, then continue up another steep climb to reach a hamlet with three houses.

(19) Follow the path to the right, still marked (Yellow Disc and Yellow Ring), now along a very pretty terraced path with a few paved sections, to reach the Cascade du Battion (C).

(20) Cross the footbridge and continue along the path for the final climb of the day, which leads to the top of the ski lift. Go round the ski run on the right and reach a junction of several roads.

(21) Turn left onto Chemin des Ponts, then right onto Chemin de la Moraine (Yellow Ring only). At the end of this path, turn right (Chemin de Quatre Sous) and return to the car park (S/E).

The trails are particularly challenging, especially in the Roche des Ducs area, and require careful attention, sturdy footwear and walking poles.
Whilst our four-legged friends will have plenty of opportunities to cool off, the same cannot be said for hikers. Make sure you bring plenty of water.

(A) - Roche des Ducs
Contrary to what one might think, this rock does not take its name from the Dukes of Lorraine but from the Eurasian eagle-owl, a bird of prey that has long nested on this magnificent granite rock towering 300 metres above the Bouchot valley.
It is an imposing 300-metre-high white granite rock concealing a true geological curiosity. Indeed, a 15-metre-wide vein of eurite—a mineral composed of silica used in the manufacture of enamel, also known as petrosilex—rises vertically through this rock to its summit.

(B) - Saut du Bouchot
As its name suggests, the waterfall is located on the River Bouchot, a tributary of the Moselle via the Moselotte. Standing 28 metres high, it features two beautiful natural pools and even a small slide which, in summer, can provide a refreshing dip for the more adventurous.

(C) - Battion Waterfall
This waterfall is situated on the northern slope of the Noire Goutte massif. The Battion is one of the many ‘gouttes’ (waterfalls) that criss-cross this area. It rises in the Jemnaufaing bog and feeds into the waters of the Bouchot

In the centre of the village, visit Saint-Blaise Church with its Gothic choir, a nave dating from the first half of the 18th century, and a 20th-century organ