In the Bois de Vantoux in Messigny

Departure from the car park just above the Suzon, south of Messigny.

(S/E) Take the road on the right, cross the bridge over the Suzon and follow the river for about a hundred metres.

(1) At the fork, at Place d'Harxheim, turn left towards Vantoux via Rue du Château. Continue to the crossroads at the first houses.

(2) Turn right onto Chemin d'Hauteville, a carriage road that climbs into the woods on the right. Once at the bend, continue straight ahead to climb into the woods, following the yellow markings. Please note that when it rains, a stream forms on the path and the slabs can be slippery. Continue to the monumental gate that led to the castle (all the woods on the left are private).

(3) Continue along the marked path, which becomes straight and heads south-west. The slope is gentler and continues through the woods. Go straight ahead, ignoring the numerous paths on either side, and you will reach another gate leading to the castle.

(4) Continue straight ahead on the main path, ignoring the numerous paths that cross this wide carriageway. You will come to a large intersection at a meadow.

(5) Turn right onto the large dirt road, also marked in yellow (PR® Tour du Val Suzon). Follow it, first level on the plateau, then gently sloping above the valley. At a large fork, take the descent that bends to the left, still marked in yellow, to arrive in Combe Grivot.

(6) Take the path along the thalweg on the right: this is a small dirt track that crosses the woods. Continue along this path for about 900 metres until you reach an intersection.

(7) Turn left onto the marked path that climbs straight up the slope. Climb this fairly steep and slippery slope if it is raining to reach the plateau on the other side of the valley. Stay on the yellow path, which leads to a good path below the Petit Grand Champ farm. Reach the farm by turning left.

(8) Just before the farm, turn right onto the small road that passes below the other farm, Grand Champ. Stay on this road, which descends gently towards Messigny. It passes in front of a horse farm and then descends towards Place d'Harxheim, which has benches.

(1) From there, take the road you took on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).

Avoid in wet weather: some sections are very slippery. If this is the case, it is preferable to walk the route in the opposite direction.

Le Suzon in Messigny, the surroundings of the Château de Vantoux.

The farms on the plateau: Grand Champ and Petit Grand Champ.