Mountain bike loops on Sion Hill

Start from the cemetery on the edge of the D50, in Forcelles-sous-Gugney (54).

(S/E) Opposite the cemetery, take the small road that runs along its right-hand side and climb up to a three-way junction.

(1) Keep to the right, the small road turns into a yellow path and then a trail. After climbing up the steep slope, the trail turns right along the hillside and joins a fork. Go up the left and you will quickly reach a cross path.

(2) Turn right towards the Rochers de la Licorne, visible on your left, and reach the start of a path on the right.

(3) Ignore it (return) and continue climbing straight ahead until you exit the forest onto the plateau and arrive at the Carrière aux Étoiles.

(4) After enjoying the spot, turn left onto the marked trail. This section is not the most pleasant, with a slight incline. Continue straight ahead through the woods until you reach the road.

(5) Follow it to the left for about ten metres and take the path on the left, at the edge of the woods, to reach the Maurice Barrès Monument with its orientation table.

(6) Enjoy the magnificent view of the Saintois towards the Vosges! Then continue along the edge of the ridge until you reach the road.

(7) Walk a few metres to the left, then take the path on the left that follows the ridge. Cross a wood, pass a water tank and you will reach a fork.

(8) Turn right and, at the road, turn right again. Follow the edge of the forest to the right-hand bend.

(9) Take the marked path on the left, which descends slightly, then climbs successively. At the meadow, continue to the right and enter the woods. Ignore a path on the right and stay on the plateau, making a left turn on a very pleasant section of the trail. Reach the top of the Saut de la Pucelle, a small 25-metre cliff, on your left.

(10) Continue along the ridge. Watch out for roots, barriers and trees on this technical section. Then, on a beautiful, fast straight section, you will reach a fork at the edge of the forest.

(11) Go left into the undergrowth, then quickly turn right and you will come back to the edge of the forest. Continue left on the track along the meadow.

(12) At the corner of the meadow, take the path on the right, slightly uphill, then turn left onto a very beautiful technical descent (watch out for fallen trees). You will reach the town hall of Saxon-Sion.

(13) Enjoy the beautiful view of the northern Saintois region. Take the path opposite the town hall and descend to the end of Rue de la Fontaine. Turn left onto Rue des Frères Baillard and arrive at a three-way junction at the exit of the village.

(14) Take the slightly uphill track on the right, which goes around the religious site of Sion at the bottom. Reach the edge of the woods and continue until you find a path on the right.

(15) Take this path for a quick return trip to the Notre-Dame de Pitié Chapel.

(16) Then return to the track.

(15) Turn right and join the road. Follow it downhill for about 200 m and find the start of a path on the right.

(17) Turn right onto the path and follow this pleasant single track until you rejoin the route you took earlier after passing a gate (which will probably be closed, so you will need to carry your bike).

(3) Turn right and climb again until you reach the Carrière aux Étoiles.

(4) Continue straight ahead, then take the footpath on the left , making sure to dismount your bike for the first 100 metres. Continue along the road on the left, pass the monument to Marguerite de Mantoue and take the path on the left through the woods that runs alongside the departmental road until you reach a fork on the right.

(18) Turn right, cross the road and continue straight ahead until you rejoin the route you were already on.

(11) Continue straight ahead, then leave the route you have already taken on your right and follow the fast but technical single track. Slow down before the left-hand bend that follows , as it is dangerous due to poor visibility in case of pedestrians. Follow the single track to the village of Vaudémont, passing under the Saut de la Pucelle cliff and in front of the Source de la Saussotte. Cross the D53 by turning left and right and climb up to the church.

(19) Take the path to the left of the church and turn left onto this very fast section at the foot of the old village ramparts. At the end, climb up to the left and you will arrive at the D53. Follow it to the right and, after 150 m, take the hairpin path to the right. Join the route you have already taken.

(8) Continue straight ahead, pass the entrance to the Grotte des Chambrettes and the Maurice Barrès Monument, and you will arrive at the road.

(5) Leave the route you have already taken and turn completely right to descend the logging trail, which is a little technical but not tricky. Join the route you took on the way up once again.

(2) Descend to the right and, taking the same route as on the way there, reach the cemetery of Forcelles-sous-Gugney (S/E).

The cemetery car park is quiet, accessible and large enough for five cars.

Please note: Mountain biking is tolerated on these trails, provided that you give way to hikers, who have absolute priority over bikes. Do not venture off the trails. The limestone lawn around the Maurice Barrés Monument is particularly protected.

Having spent several years mountain biking on Sion Hill, I have mapped out the best route to enjoy almost all of the trails available.
Aim for off-peak times (early morning, late evening or off-season) to minimise interaction with other users.
Be careful, as you will pass through the same places several times, in one direction or the other.

Bikes are not allowed around the basilica, but you can go there on foot!

(7) If you feel like it, take a 50-metre detour along the small path to discover the Grotte des Chambrettes.

(10) The Saut de la Pucelle is the site of a centuries-old legend: the daughter of the Lord of Vaudémont was returning home on horseback one evening when she was attacked by bandits. Her horse, frightened, bolted towards the precipice. The maiden invoked the Virgin Mary to save her from falling. A shower of stars then appeared to prevent her from falling. The girl and her horse miraculously survived, while the bandits were punished for their recklessness. The stars that were projected are still visible on the hill today, and a few connoisseurs still know where to find them.