Lakes Route

An easy day’s ride with the option of a picnic stop at Géhard Waterfall, where a picnic area has been set up.

Details

9066
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Horse riding
    Activity: Horse riding
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.38 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,545 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,549 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,418 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,706 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Girmont-Val-d'Ajol cemetery.

(S/E) With your back to the cemetery, turn left onto the D83, pass the church on your left and, at the Fork in the road, turn left onto the Moulin Picard road until the next junction with a path on your left.

(1) Take this path, marked with a Green Circle, which climbs through the fields to the old Moulin du Géhard. Continue left along the road.

(2) You’ll pass the Gehard waterfall, the Fontaine des Belges and the forest chalet.
When you reach the hairpin bend, instead of following the markings straight ahead, take the path just to the right. Follow it for 300m and turn right.

(3) Go round the Villerain pond on the left. Follow the path for about 700 m, follow the signposting straight ahead for 50 m, then turn left heading south.
Follow the signposts to the hamlet of Les Faignes Noires.

(4) Walk through the hamlet and take a path on the left after about 50 m; follow it to the road.
Turn left and follow the signposts to the road (2 km).

(5) Walk around the Molière pond.
Take the path opposite for 500 m. Take the path opposite on the right heading south.

(6) Pass by the Houillon pond.

(7) Turn right onto the road for 50 m, then left. After 230 m, turn left, then after 70 m turn right. Pass through the hamlet and join the road -

(8) Walk around "La Divière" pond.
Turn right and follow the signposts to the road.

(12) You arrive at a spot you passed in the opposite direction at the start of the walk.
Take the road on the left for 600 m, skirting the large Corfaing pond.

(11) Take the second tarmac track on the right. After 600 m, it joins signposted route no. 19, which you should follow for 2.4 km, turning left.
Follow the sign for "Le Clos Léry", which is 300 m away.

(9) Turn right onto the path that climbs slightly opposite the entrance to the equestrian centre.
After 300 m, ignore the path on the left. Head for the south/south-eastern edge of the Bois de Rey and follow it eastwards to the Étang des Basses.

(10) Take the road north for 350 m, then turn right onto a path that branches off to the north.

(11) Walk alongside the large Corfaing pond, continuing until you reach a small wood.

(12) Follow theGR®® to the left for 200–300 metres, then take the path leading down through the woods on the right.

(13) At the edge of the woods, turn left, cross the road, take the small path opposite, and walk through the hamlet. Take the road to the right. After about 100 metres, take the D83 on the right towards Girmont d'Amont.

(14) 100 to 150 m after La Molière d’Amont, take a small path on the left that leads into the woods. Follow it for about 800 m until you reach the road, then turn left.
Follow the road for 400 m, then turn right onto the signposted route. Follow it for 5 km.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,037 ft - Car park at the Girmont-Val-d'Ajol cemetery - Église de l'Immaculée Conception (Girmont-Val-d'Ajol)
  2. 1 : mi 0.38 - alt. 1,995 ft - Crossroads with a path
  3. 2 : mi 1.12 - alt. 1,762 ft - Cascade du Géhard
  4. 3 : mi 3.94 - alt. 2,044 ft - Etang du Villerain
  5. 4 : mi 4.55 - alt. 1,959 ft - Faignes Noires
  6. 5 : mi 5.06 - alt. 2,106 ft - Go round the - Etang de la Molière
  7. 6 : mi 5.77 - alt. 2,228 ft - Étang Houillon
  8. 7 : mi 5.93 - alt. 2,280 ft - On the right - Étang des Maux Cailloux
  9. 8 : mi 6.83 - alt. 2,395 ft - Route around "La Divière" pond.
  10. 9 : mi 10.16 - alt. 1,955 ft - Le Clos Léry
  11. 10 : mi 12.4 - alt. 2,228 ft - Take the road on the left - Étang des Basses
  12. 11 : mi 13.11 - alt. 2,274 ft - On the right, follow the - Étang de Corfaing (Grand Étang de Corfaing)
  13. 12 : mi 13.48 - alt. 2,336 ft - Take the GR°°®°° to the left for 200 m
  14. 13 : mi 13.76 - alt. 2,247 ft - At the edge of the woods, turn left
  15. 14 : mi 14.35 - alt. 2,146 ft - After Molière d'Amont, turn left
  16. S/E : mi 15.38 - alt. 2,037 ft - Car park at the Girmont-Val-d'Ajol cemetery

Notes

"Le Clos Léry" (9) can provide accommodation (tents, lodge) for you and your horses, as well as catering (breakfast, picnics, meals)
- Picnics can be enjoyed at the Gehard spring
- There are numerous streams along the route, providing water for the horses.
- It is also possible to water them at the Fontaine des Belges.

Worth a visit

- Tasting of local cuisine at the starting point
- Beautiful scenery
- Gehard Waterfall

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
ANDRE67
ANDRE67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The hike starts at the Col du Wettstein car park; 1st stop: Lac Noir; 2nd stop: Lac Blanc; 3rd stop: Gazon du FAING; 4th stop: Lac du FORLET/Truite. Stop at the Ferme Auberge du Lac for a friendly coffee break and excellent service. Return to the Col du Wettstein car park.
Notes:
From Lac Blanc, there is a fairly steep climb over exposed tree roots and plenty of stones, so avoid this
after a downpour due to the risk of slipping. Once at the top, superb views of Lac Blanc and a picnic break.
Recommended for experienced walkers wearing suitable footwear.
André Huffner

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jeanclaude.pissot
jeanclaude.pissot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely route; coming from the Aisne, we went on a lovely walk with a beautiful view of Lac des Corbeaux, where we had lunch,
thanks to everyone who posts walks on this site, which is excellent,

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ROBYSON
ROBYSON

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant, easy route taking 3 hours, including a stop for lunch by a pond, with the GEHARD waterfall as the highlight.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thanks, Matter
The comment you’ve shared with us concerns the appeal of the route, but regarding the description and the route itself, what issues did you encounter?

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Matter
Matter

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I think the route is mostly tarmac

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lecomtois
lecomtois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk, I must say, thanks to the good fortune of a sunny day, with easy, well-marked paths and pretty ponds; we were lucky enough to spot a magnificent chamois near the Behard waterfall. One regret is that the bridge over this waterfall was destroyed two years ago and a sign indicates that access to the site is prohibited.
I’d also recommend stopping for a stay or a meal at the excellent Auberge de la Vigotte after the walk.

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rubi
rubi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

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