Around the Grands Bassots with views over the Moselle valley

Park in Girmont Val d’Ajol; there is a car park next to the church.

(S/E) Take the small road leading down towards the Moulin Picard and follow this road as far as the Moulin Picard lodge. At this point, the tarmac ends.

(1) The path continues past the Mollière pond. You’ll come to a junction after the pond.

(2) Turn left onto the path that descends to the Plain Pré stream (a sign points to the Coke pond). Then head back up to join a forest track (Chemin du Plain Pré).

(3) Continue to the right along the Chemin du Plain Pré (Blue Ring) until you reach Coke Pond.

(4) Cross the road and carry on in the same direction, still following the Blue Ring markings, until you reach the Red Triangle. At this point, take the path on the right into the woods, following the Red Triangle markings. You’ll come to a large rock.

(5) Carry on, enjoying the superb view over the Moselle valley, then head down the small road to the left until you reach the^third hairpin bend. Note the two ponds along the road near the holiday chalets. You’ll reach the^GR® junction^.

(6) Carry on straight ahead and follow the^GR® to two small houses in Larraye on either side of the path through the forest. Immediately afterwards, take the path marked with a Yellow Diamond, which climbs steeply to the right. You’ll reach another junction just before a left-hand bend.

(7) Leave the^GR® here, turn right and continue uphill to reach the Chalet de l’Impératrice.

(8) Continue along a wide track, join the road and turn right onto it. You’ll reach a crossroads by a small pond.

(9) Take the path on the left through an open area. It descends slightly and splits 100 metres further on. Leave the path on your left, which is signposted with two signs reading ‘Chasse gardée – La montagne’ and ‘Ski de fond Girault Faihy’

(10) Take care here: follow the route marked on the IGN map closely. The path climbs slightly and continues through a coniferous woodland. After about 500 metres, leave this path and take a less-travelled track that climbs to the right. Continue along the edge of the Grands Bassots peat bog. Please note: it is not advisable to leave the path (see note at the end of the description). After this more open area, continue along the main path which descends into a woodland and joins a wider forest track.

(11) Turn right and continue north-west across meadows for 500 metres until you reach the ‘Green Ring’ signpost at a crossroads marked by a cross, opposite which there is a picnic table and benches. Take the path on the right and follow it to the next crossroads.

(12) Turn left onto the path that descends alongside a meadow. At the Y-junction in the woodland, turn left and leave the ‘Green Ring’ signposting. Continuing along the path in the same direction, you’ll reach a small road at a place called ‘Les Envers’ in Girmont d’Amont. Turn right onto this road and follow it for 50 metres to reach the D 83, directly opposite the small road leading to the La Racine lodges. Turn left onto this county road.

(13) After about 100 metres, take the^first path on the right and walk through the hamlet of Girmont d’Amont. Continue behind the houses, running parallel to the road. You’ll come to another junction just before La Molière d’Amont.

(14) Turn right onto the track, head down through the forest and join the Route du Moulin Picard not far from a pond. Turn left and head back up towards Girmont Val d’Ajol along the small road to reach the car park (S/E).

The^second half of the route is unmarked, mainly between (7) and (10). Follow the GPS track carefully; an IGN map is essential.
Food is available in Girmont only.
There is also an organic baker who sells excellent local produce.

Between (10) and (12), Les Grands Bassots is a peat bog area that must be treated with respect for the following reasons.
This is a wetland area featuring characteristic vegetation (consisting mainly of sphagnum moss, a type of moss that retains large quantities of water, but also rare plants such as insectivorous Drosera).
It is the gradual accumulation of undecomposed organic matter (mainly plant matter) and its compaction that, over time, contributes to the formation of peat.
The peat bog is therefore characterised by soil with a very high content of organic matter of plant origin, which is either slightly decomposed or not decomposed at all. It is a unique and fragile ecosystem whose characteristics make it, despite methane emissions, a carbon sink.
It is therefore essential to stay on the paths in order to protect this environment. This is all the more important as the water contained in the sphagnum mosses can create a spongy surface similar to quicksand.