Charmois-l'Orgueilleux walks

The trail continues through the forests of the Vôge and follows the Saône’s original course from its source.

A hike that winds through a wide variety of forests, both coniferous and deciduous. The hedgerow landscape creates a special atmosphere that makes for a pleasant hiking experience.

A small, discreet corner of the Vosges, but one full of beautiful discoveries. Among others, the sources of the Saône and Madon rivers. We recommend that you read the description beforehand to identify the specific points of interest on the route in advance.

Starting from the pretty village of Grandrupt-de-Bains with its beautiful old houses, this hike will take you to a place where the Resistance fighters lived and trained in August and September 1944, but above all a place of remembrance. You will also discover: petroglyph rocks, boundary stones bearing coats of arms, ponds, picnic and rest areas and views of the Vosges mountains. A few sections on the road allow us to pass through forests, meadows and farmland, as well as rural areas.

The Bouzey Reservoir, a natural gem situated a stone’s throw from the town of Épinal, is a multifaceted site, perfect for relaxation and ideal for clearing your head. Its lush green surroundings offer a complete change of scenery and it is the perfect place to enjoy a range of sporting and leisure activities. Immerse yourself in idyllic landscapes where you can get active, go for a swim or simply laze on the beach!

This walk will take you through the Ban d'Uxegney National Forest, starting with the Étang de la Comtesse and its peat bog, where you can discover the little "firefly nymph", frogs, water lilies, marsh marigolds, yellow bladderwort and floating bulrush. Not to mention the sundew, which is an insectivorous plant. Throughout this walk, you will also discover the Roches d'Olima, its powder magazine and the supply canal for the Bouzey reservoir.

A good day's hike west of Épinal to Lac de Bouzey, without any difficulties, with plenty of picnic spots. Much of the route is marked by the Club Vosgien.

This walk combines exploring historical and natural heritage with a wooded route running alongside the Canal des Vosges, before finally skirting the site of the Manufacture Royale de Bains-les-Bains (see practical information). 03/08/2023 Moderator’s note: hike modified at point 6.

An easy circular route visiting the Canal des Vosges and the “La Colosse” sandstone quarry.

A lovely 4 km walk, starting from the village centre, along a forest path lined with a variety of trees and dotted with ponds, perfect for a stroll, a relaxing break or a picnic.

Starting from the Manufacture Royale car park in Bains-les-Bains. After crossing lock 32, you will climb gently through the woods towards the hamlet of Les Baraques, then reach lock 31 and finish on the towpath between the river and the canal. (Please note that hunting is permitted on a small section of the route on Thursdays and Sundays.)

Hike starting from the Manufacture Royale in Bains-les-Bains, a magnificent 18th-century industrial site. Follow the blue fleurs-de-lis signs

Loop starting from the Manufacture Royale de Bains, through the forest, the fields on the Plateau de la Fosse le Loup and along the Canal de l'Est. Private hunting is permitted in part of the forest on Thursdays and Sundays.

Starting from the Manufacture Royale in Bains-les-Bains, a walk along the towpath between the Canal de l’Est and the River Coney. La Pipée footbridge, Bois de la Pipée and through the hamlet of Les Baraques. Down through the woods to lock no. 32. Marked with white fleurs-de-lis

Between the towpath and the forest, a short loop following the red fleurs-de-lis starting from the Manufacture Royale de Bains. (You may encounter a private hunt on Thursdays and Sundays)

Starting from the Manufacture Royale, a circular route crosses the estate, passing by the chapel, the ice house and the woods. Following the purple fleur-de-lis markings, you then reach the small forest track known as “le Chemin Noir” by local residents. After crossing the D164, you’ll join a small path through the forest to reach the old Roman road, which descends towards the “Pont du Coney” and then onto the Voie Bleue, the canal cycle path, to return to the Manufacture Royale.

Starting from the Manufacture Royale in La Vôge-les-Bains, this trail marked with orange fleurs-de-lis first runs alongside the Coney and the Canal de l’Est, then through Fontenoy-le-Château, before making a wide circular route across the plateau to reach the Maison Forestière de la Pipée. The return route follows the Ruisseau de Gruey to rejoin the Coney and return to the Manufacture Royale.

Come and enjoy this invigorating hike and discover the Fort de Bambois at the same time.

Discover two ponds hidden within a large forest complex. Most of this hike takes place on well-maintained forest tracks. Only a few passages, secondary trails, may be overgrown with grass and young trees in spring and summer.

Legend attributes the name of the fountain to an event during the war in the time of Charles the Bold. Lorraine partisans, loyal to Duke René, harassed the Burgundians besieging Epinal and managed to lure a detachment of Burgundians into an ambush not far from the fountain. They killed many of the soldiers in the detachment and left the bodies of three of them there.

A hike through the beautiful Vosges forest to Lac de Bouzey with some historical remains.

A signposted walk through the forest between Chantraine and Saint-Laurent offering a quick view of Épinal from the Olympe. The walk follows the Bouzey Lake water supply canal twice, passing by the Étang du Bult and the Étang du Riéfaing, as well as the Roches d’Olima after following a small stream.

This walk starts from the Passée car park in Chantraine, joins and follows the Bouzey reservoir supply canal and passes at the foot of the Roches d'Olima. The route is mainly under the cover of trees.

This is an easy hike, very pleasant even in hot weather as most of the route is through woodland.

The town of Épinal has over a thousand years of history. Recent archaeological excavations confirm human presence dating back to the Carolingian period. However, the historic centre developed under the impetus of the bishops of Metz, who settled in the town around 980. This neighbourhood also bears witness to the lives of the canonesses who occupied beautiful mansions around the basilica between the 13th century and the Revolution. Natural resources (water and timber) fostered the emergence of major industries such as paper and earthenware, followed by textiles.

A pleasant little walk through woods, fields and paths, with some gentle hills. Starting from Virine, you’ll head down to Circourt, walk around the village and climb back up through the woods to return to Virine, passing a 360° viewpoint! Ideal in summer with plenty of shaded areas, though there are a few fairly steep slopes.

This marked pedestrian route (blue square) starts at the municipal campsite (car park, bar and restaurant open in the evening from May to October). You will pass through magnificent forests known for their high-quality oak trees. You may occasionally be surprised by deer crossing the path. This route takes in the splendid Arsondieux and Breuillots lakes, passes through veritable "cathedral" forests and goes near the Chapel of the Virgin of Bois Bani (a place of pilgrimage).

This route will take you through the Saint-Georges woodland, past a forest picnic shelter, then the ruins of Bellevue, before reaching the village where you can visit the Embroidery Museum, the ‘Vieux Fontenoy’ and the listed church. It then heads back up to the campsite, running alongside the castle ruins.

This route starts at the municipal campsite on Route de la Vierge. It will take you to the Chapel of Saint-Georges, built in the middle of the forest on the site of a deadly fratricidal battle. This route passes near the Arpero bar (a surprising log cabin between the canal and the Coney), the Carrières Volle quarries, the Tour des Lombards tower, the listed church, the castle ruins and the Embroidery Museum.

The Madon and its tributaries are waterways that are important to preserve and maintain, both to limit flooding and for the environment, as they are sources of biodiversity and are responsible for the landscapes you will pass through on this walk.

A lovely family bike ride to explore the village of Ruaux in Plombières-les-Bains. This route follows forest paths and small local roads, presents no particular difficulties and offers the chance to discover magnificent rural landscapes as well as a viewpoint over the Jura and, weather permitting, a view of Mont Blanc.