Circular route of La Madeleine from the Étang du Moulin des Bois

Start from the car park at Étang du Moulin des Bois, alongside the D419.

(S/E) Head west, follow the D419 and cross the bridge over the Madeleine. Turn left immediately afterwards, following the signposted path. Cross a footbridge over a stream and follow the winding path, keeping close to the road. At the first junction with a signposted path, turn right.

(1) Cross the D419 with care and continue straight ahead into the forest along the Chemin des Romains. Cross the D31 with care and continue straight on between the fields along a path marked with the Blue Ring and Yellow Ring symbols. Go over the A36 and enter Phaffans via Rue du Bourbet. You’ll come out onto Rue de Bessoncourt; follow it to the right.

(2) At the junction with the Grande Rue (on the left-hand side), turn right onto Rue de Lacollonge. Continue straight ahead on the tarmac road until you reach an orientation board.

(3) Continue along the road and cross the A36 again.

(4) After about a hundred metres, turn left onto a path marked with a Yellow Ring. Walk through a wooded area, past a farm on your right, and reach Rue des Vosges in Lacollonge.

(5) First turn right then left onto Rue d’Alsace. Cross the Madeleine again and continue along the road.

(6) Just before a car park with recycling bins, turn right onto an unmarked path. Go straight on (south) between the fields. Pass the old hunters’ bar, enter the forest following a relatively faint path and you’ll soon reach a junction.

(7) Turn right here, then immediately left. Cross a stream and arrive at a T-junction.

(8) Follow a well-marked forest track to the left. After about a hundred metres, turn right.

(9) At the next junction, turn right onto a path marked with a Yellow Disc and a Blue Ring. You’ll reach the edge of the Étang du Moulin des Bois.

(10) Turn left and walk along the edge of the pond on your right. At the far end of the pond, continue straight ahead, cross the D419 with care and return to the car park where you started (S/E).

As there are usually several wet sections in the woods you’ll be passing through, make sure you wear suitable footwear and bring walking poles.

Caution: you will need to cross the very busy D419 twice.