Circular Moselle route between Maron and Villey-le-Sec

Park in the car park at the former Maron railway station, Rue de la Gare.

(S/E) Cross the disused railway line and take the path between the railway line and the Moselle. Follow the railway line, go through the tunnel on the right and join the D909.

(1) Turn left, follow the D909 for 500 metres until you reach the end of a metal parapet.

(2) Turn right onto the path leading up to the Grande Goutte, and carry on straight ahead until you reach the forest road, ignoring any other paths.

(3) At the Route Forestière Charlemagne, turn left and follow the road. Pass through a small clearing at the end of the road and continue straight ahead down the path.

(4) At the end of the track, turn left and take the Chemin du Grand Valonnier, passing the metal posts, boundary stone 521 and another fallen boundary stone. At the end of the track, cross the stream.

(5) Turn right, walk past the spring, continue for a few metres along the Chemin de Monvaux and take the first path leading uphill to the left (not shown on the map).

(6) At the junction, turn right and carry on straight ahead, ignoring the other paths. At the end of the path, turn left; at the Y-junction that follows, keep to the right and, at the next junction, turn right to join a forest track.

(7) When you reach the forest road known as Route Neuve, turn left and carry on straight ahead, ignoring the other paths. Pass the three vehicle barriers and join the D909.

(8) On the D909, turn right and follow the road for 350 metres.

(9) Leave the road and turn left into the car park; in the middle, take the small path on the left which climbs up the embankment. Turn right onto the forest track running parallel to the road (not shown on the map), and carry on straight ahead.

(10) At the military base, turn left and head down towards the Moselle. At the end of the track, turn right, pass number 92, carry on, go under the EDF power line and continue along this track.

(11) At the T-junction, take the path leading down to the left, passing numbers 91 and 92. At the bottom of the path, cross the old railway line and you’ll come out onto a small road.

(12) At the small road, turn right and carry on straight ahead towards the dam.

(13) At the dam, turn left and cross the Moselle; turn right, then left to cross the lock.

(14) After the lock, turn left, follow the cycle path and ride alongside the Moselle on your left.

(15) Continue along the cycle path on a strip of land in the middle of the river.

(16) Return to the riverbank and continue as close to the river as possible until you reach the Pont de Maron.

(17) Climb the steps slightly to the right. At the top, turn left and cross the Moselle via the bridge. You’ll reach the car park straight away (S/E).

A lovely walk through the forest, with plenty of ups and downs.

On the way back, from the cycle path, you can see the entrance to the Grotte du Géant above the highest retaining wall of the railway line.