Colroy-la-Grande walks

Climont rises to an altitude of 965 metres. The Julius Tower stands atop its summit, offering a 360-degree view of Alsace and the Black Forest. This walk takes you to the summit starting from Saales. Half of the walk is on flat ground. A further quarter is uphill, and another quarter is downhill. The climbs aren’t very long, but they are quite steep, technical and stony. Most of the walk takes place in the forest. The return route takes you past the Voyemont and the Roche des Fées, offering views of the Bruche Valley and the Bas-Rhin on one side, and the Vosges department on the other.

Set in the centre of a two-kilometre-long plateau, surrounded by mountains, the village of Saâles was built on the Via Salinaria at a convenient crossing point over the Vosges. The village has maintained its role as a market town throughout history. As early as 1743, it was granted the privilege of holding a fair and a market. In 1924, the rebuilt town hall housed the market halls on its ground floor.

A lovely walk in the Bruche Valley, with the climb up to Climont offering magnificent scenery. The ascent between (2) and (3) follows a footpath and is a bit of a challenge but well worth the effort. The descent is more gradual and follows a forest track.

This walk winds through a haven of peace and tranquillity towards one of the legendary peaks of the Bruche Valley. Surrounded by green, wooded landscapes, Le Climont is the region's water tower. Three rivers originate in its vicinity: the Bruche, Giessen and Fave. This spot is marked by a stele created by sculptor Raymond Keller from a block of sandstone donated by the Champenay quarry.

A walk offering a close-up view of the wind turbines at Bois de Belfays. In this longer version, you reach the wind farm via Pré Leroy (La Grande Fosse) and return via Pré Lannequin (Châtas).

This walk is primarily intended for families with young children or pushchairs. This circular is not difficult but offers truly magnificent scenery and atmosphere. You can ask for more information at the Villé Tourist Office.

A beautiful hike with stunning views of all the surrounding valleys: the Bruche Valley, Donon, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, Val de Villé, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Haut-Koenigsbourg, etc. It is quite difficult due to its length, elevation gain and rough terrain (narrow paths on the edge of the void or muddy forest paths).

This walk winds through a haven of peace and tranquillity at the foot of one of the valley's legendary peaks: Climont (966 m). The Bruche river rises at an altitude of 660 m and then crosses a vast basin: the Hang clearing. This is where families of glassmakers settled in 1723. Le Hang continued to prosper thanks to the arrival of Mennonite farmers of Swiss origin. They found here a place conducive to their pastoral and community life.

Snowshoeing towards Climont – 965m – (Vosges Mountains).

This walk is a round trip taking you to the ruins of Bilstein Castle.

A mix of magnificent cow pastures and beautiful coniferous forests with stunning views. A preserved valley with a few farms and the odd holiday home, at the foot of one of the valley’s legendary peaks, the Climont (966 m). A haven of peace – picture-postcard perfect!The route is suitable for beginner hikers, though the climb to the Refuge du Hang and on to the Belvédère de la Roche des Fées may seem challenging for those less accustomed to hiking and requires a reasonable level of fitness.

The Fontenelle National War Memorial is a major site commemorating the Vosges Front during the First World War. This route passes through hamlets that no longer exist, of which only a sign remains today to indicate their former existence.

This circular hike links the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines to Chaume de Lusse, through typical Vosges forests of beech, fir, blueberry and high-altitude meadows. The forest paths and roads offer beautiful panoramic views of the Val d'Argent and Meurthe valleys. This is a fairly dynamic route that leads to Chaume de Lusse via a varied course, including sustained climbs (which is why we rate it as difficult), forest passages and open ridges. Part of the route runs between Alsace and Lorraine on paths and trails marked by the GR®531, the former border from 1871 to 1918, with boundary stones marked D (Deutschland), often hammered, and F, marking the historic border and named "Chemins de la Grande Guerre" (Paths of the Great War).

A beautiful historical hike near the Wisembach National Forest.A reminder of the facts:1871 - Alsace/Moselle are annexed by Germany, which modernises many areas.1914 - The heir to the Austrian throne is assassinated / Germany declares war on Russia, France and Belgium. Soldiers occupy villages and mountains.November 1918: the trenches are filled in, the blockhouses and other structures destroyed, but around a hundred remain visible in the heights of the Val d'Argent.

A short circular walk from the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, offering the chance to explore the remains of theFirst World War (1914–1918), including the German army’s installations below the Tête du Violu front line.

The Climont is a curious conical massif which you will approach from the south face. The climb is steep, but the view from the top of the Julius Tower, at an altitude of over 960m, is well worth the effort. 21/04/2025: Five years after its first publication, I revisited this route to check that the description still matches the terrain. I took the opportunity to clarify certain sections and add a few waypoints. The descent is quite technical and difficult, and it is best to avoid it in wet weather, or else do the hike in the opposite direction. Enjoy the outing, everyone.

Ascent to the Tête du Violu from the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines via the Carrefour des Biches and the Labyrinth.

The walk takes you through the Fontenelle site and its surroundings, which were the scene of fighting during the First World War.

Circular starting from Urbeis in the Villé valley, following the heritage trail on the theme of the mining past, then passing by the ruins of Bilstein Castle, the village of Climont and the Col d'Urbeis.

A pleasant walk around Saulxures, much of it in the shade. Beautiful views along the route.

Following the course of the Haut Bois stream, set off to explore the hills above the village of Ranrupt, where you’ll enjoy unobstructed views over the Climontaine valley. On your way, stop off at the Hauts-Bois farm inn to sample some local cuisine.

Explore the trails above the village of Ranrupt and discover the hamlet of Fonrupt, a haven of tranquillity. Along the way, treat your taste buds to authentic local produce while enjoying splendid views of the Climontaine and Chiregoutte valleys.

A circular walk starting from Ranrupt, taking us towards Stampoumont as far as Colroy-la-Roche, returning via Fonrupt. A route alternating between open countryside and woodland, with two viewpoints overlooking the villages. The first half is fairly gentle, the second half a little more challenging, with the Climont massif in view.

Starting from Steige, this hike will take you to the summit of Climont to discover the Julius Tower and several magnificent viewpoints over the Villé Valley, as well as the Bruche Valley and the Vosges. This hike is difficult and includes sections with very steep climbs and technical passages. You will need to be in good physical condition and carry a small backpack.

An easy walk to the hamlet of Stampoumont through a beautiful forest, then beautiful views of the pastures, the Donon and the Climont, not to mention the pretty chapel of Stampoumont with its minimalist stained glass windows. A calm and peaceful walk.

This is a beautiful hike through lovely forests and magnificent meadows, offering superb views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. You will also discover a whole chapter of the history of Alsace-Moselle: the German occupation from 1870 to 1918, as well as the battles of theFirst World War that took place in the Vosges. The hike presents no difficulty other than a few hundred metres with a 15% gradient after the Col de Sainte-Marie.

This circular loop, which runs mostly through the woods, offers a pleasant variety of points of interest. Villages and landscapes, nature and habitat, crafts, history and places of worship (ornate chapels, sandstone crosses) all contribute to the appeal of this still little-known region of Alsace.

A beautiful walk through the forest and meadows, taking you from a small village to the old castle of La Roche with a splendid view of the valley. The first hill you see is the Col de la Perheux. Behind this pass, you will see the Donon. Along the way, you will have several views of the Climont.

Exploring the old mines of the village of Échery and its Clock Tower. Climb to the summit of the Grand Brézouard and enjoy its 360° panorama of the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley and the Vosges ridges.

One of the most beautiful slopes in the Vosges to climb one of the highest peaks in the Vosges, with, as a reward on a clear day, a view of the Bernese Jura and its trilogy of legendary peaks: the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau, i.e. the Ogre, the Monk and the Virgin. In autumn, when the mist sets in and the days grow shorter, early morning hikers will be impressed by the bellowing of the stags. This route is far from any noise pollution.

Thefirst part of the walk is mainly in the shade and not particularly difficult, apart from the fairly steep climb after Grand Rombach. Best done in hot weather to make the most of the shade. Please note that there is tarmac at the start and end of the walk.

A lovely circular walk starting from Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, alternating between open landscapes (offering views of the valley, the Taennchel massif and the Grand Brézouard) and beautiful forests; a route dotted with hamlets featuring old, isolated mountain farms.

There is a proverb that says that everything small is cute. And it's true. With its 38 inhabitants, Blancherupt is the smallest municipality in Alsace and has a charm all of its own. In the 1990s, an award-winning advertising campaign described the commune as "In Blancherupt, there is nothing... nothing but the essentials", an invitation to discover this little corner of paradise without further delay.

Bellefosse, known as Béfoss in the local dialect, was part of the former seigneury of Ban de la Roche. This hike will take you to the heights of Bellefosse to explore the ruins of the Château de la Roche, known as "zum Stein" or "Steinschloss", then across the peaks to discover the former seigneurial farmstead of Lachamp. Finally, you will have the opportunity to eat at two farmhouse inns, Ban de la Roche or Promont.

With its 38 inhabitants, Blancherupt is the smallest commune in Alsace and has a charm all of its own. Discover this little corner of paradise.