Basse Saint-Jean route

A lovely walk from the 13th-century Saint-Jean Chapel to the low-altitude peat bogs.

Details

21064245
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 165 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 161 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 422 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 282 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park at the end of Rue de la Solitude in Bertrichamps.

(S/E) Take the path on the left up to the fork.

(1) Turn left to visit the old Saint-Jean Chapel (12th century).
Then go back down to the fork.

(1) Turn left onto the path marked Anneau Rouge and Anneau Jaune, heading north, until you reach a crossroads.

(2) Continue straight ahead on the path marked with yellow rings.

(3) At a place called Les Bergeries, there is a lovely viewpoint and a large sheltered table. Continue along the path, following the Yellow Ring markings and ignoring all the paths branching off to either side.
After a change of direction, marked towards the south-east, you will come to another intersection.

(4) Continue following the Yellow Ring and Red Ring markings.

(5) At a place called Le Chêne de la Vierge, there is a small statue of the Virgin Mary hanging from a large oak tree, next to a sheltered table. Continue along the Red Ring trail.

(6) Turn right, following the blue and red ring markings.

(7) Follow the Blue Ring markings to the right above the first peat bogs.

(8) Turn right onto the main path marked with the Blue Ring and Red Ring signs.

(9) Don't miss the viewpoint over the peat bogs and, 20 metres further down, follow the signs to the peat bog, which is covered by a wooden walkway.

(10) Continue straight ahead on the main path, following the Blue Ring markings to the car park (S/E), walking alongside the ponds (private property, do not enter).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 284 m - End of Rue de la Solitude. Near the - Meurthe (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.37 - alt. 286 m - Fork in the road towards Saint-Jean Chapel
  3. 2 : km 1.03 - alt. 331 m - Crossroads. Yellow ring markings
  4. 3 : km 2.48 - alt. 407 m - Beautiful view of the Bergerie area
  5. 4 : km 4.7 - alt. 369 m - Crossroads. Signposting: Yellow Ring, Red Ring
  6. 5 : km 6.41 - alt. 384 m - Oratory of the Virgin Mary
  7. 6 : km 7.02 - alt. 361 m - Fork in the path. Blue Ring Red Ring markings
  8. 7 : km 8.24 - alt. 310 m - Fork in the path. Blue Ring trail markers
  9. 8 : km 9.35 - alt. 298 m - Markings: Blue rings, red ring
  10. 9 : km 10.16 - alt. 295 m - Basse Saint-Jean peat bogs
  11. 10 : km 10.37 - alt. 294 m - Straight ahead
  12. S/E : km 11.06 - alt. 285 m - Car park at the end of Rue de la Solitude

Notes

Point 3: a large table under a shelter
Point 5: a table under shelter
Just before point 7, an original shelter of beautiful architectural quality made of wood, with a small table and benches. A water trough (not drinkable)

Worth a visit

At the start of the hike, don't miss the 13th-century Chapel of St John the Baptist.
Point (3). Beautiful view of the valley
Point (5). Oratory of the Virgin Mary
Point (9) and (10): educational trail on the history of peat bogs

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
primtemps
primtemps

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route, but unfortunately the bog shelter and the little cottage at the Virgin Oak have been destroyed by fire.
No doubt an act of vandalism.

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Monique 54
Monique 54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant, easy hike with the opportunity to discover
the peat bogs and their explanations
I recommend it

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Monique 54
Monique 54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant, easy hike with the opportunity to discover
the peat bogs and their explanations
I recommend it

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François VERNIER
François VERNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy route with some beautiful views (Les Bergeries, view of the peat bog). Don't hesitate to visit the Saint Jean chapel shortly after setting off. The monument is imposing and in good condition. This was not the case for the table under the shelter of the Chêne de la Vierge, which was recently burned down. The still-smouldering wood gave off wisps of smoke. It was a shame we were there at midday, as a few drops of rain began to fall.
Thank you to the arsonists for leaving their matches behind when they enter the forest!!!
Otherwise, there are some very beautiful trees to admire. The short discovery trail on the peat bog is interesting and well illustrated.
Worth revisiting in different seasons.

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eric dulche
eric dulche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk along a forest path, especially in winter weather. Worth repeating.

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Francis MICHEL
Francis MICHEL

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Walk taken on 20 November with a group. A pleasant route that all participants recommend. The route was clean despite the heavy rain in recent days.

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michel54110
michel54110
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not to be missed: St Jean Chapel, the view from the Bergeries shelter, the Virgin Mary statue in the large oak tree, the shelter built in 2014 with its original structure, and the peat bogs.
Follow the trail markers carefully, as they are difficult to find on the map in some places. In wet weather, it may be best to avoid the first detour through the peat bogs, which are still under construction and slippery.
A refreshing treat in hot weather, with a beautiful walk through the forest.
Michel

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