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Where is the starting point for this hike?
Heading towards Gérardmer/Xonrupt, drive along the left-hand side of Lake Longemer on the D67, then 500 metres after the lake, at the crossroads, take the lake road (D67A on the right) and park immediately on your left along the cycle path in front of a forest track, which will be the return route.
(S) Follow the cycle path towards the north-west.
(1) Follow the road and the lake for about 1 km until you reach the entrance to the "Les Jonquilles" campsite.
(2) Take the path marked with a red triangle to the left of the crêperie-snack-frite towards "la Roche des Vieux Chevaux". Continue for 1 km uphill on root-covered, stony ground with a steep gradient, to the point where you may wonder whether you made the right choice in choosing this hike.
The view of Lake Longemer will quickly make you forget the climb.
(3) After a well-deserved break, take the forest path south for 800 metres until you reach an intersection.
(4) Take the path opposite, towards the old mine that descends towards Lake Lispach. Follow the yellow disc markings.
Be careful not to slip on the wooden footbridge (especially in wet weather) when you reach the D34C at the car park. Continue 20 metres further along the road to find a shelter in case of bad weather.
(5) Then take the forest path on your right: information boards are located at the start.
The tour of the lake follows a small footpath with occasional wooden walkways, finally reaching the small dam along the road on the other side of the lake.
(6) Continue for 200 metres to the right along the road. Turn left to reach Chemin de Mariron on the other side, which climbs slightly towards the north-east. A 2 km climb, which is not steep but long, begins on this Chemin de Mariron. At the first bend, after 400 m of climbing, do not turn left unless you want to see the ski jump. Continue along this path until you reach the crossroads.
(7) Turn right, heading south, onto the forest path called Chemin de la Bourrique. Ignore the two footpaths opposite. Pass in front of the "Les Champis" shelter. A few metres further down, to the right of this shelter, there is a fountain (the water is safe to drink, as several of us filled up and drank it that day. No one got sick!).
(8) 400 metres after the shelter, take the path on the left. This path is rather poorly maintained, leafy, and looks more like a dry stream. Finally, you will come to a more pleasant path. Turn right for 300 metres, then turn left and take Chemin du Conservateur. Continue down this path to reach Chemin du Nol. Turn left onto the road that leads to the centre of the village of Régit.
(9) At the stop sign, opposite the D34d, there is an inn on the right. Go up the Route de la Vologne on the left for a few metres and cross the bridge over the Moselotte. Then turn right after the bridge onto Chemin de la Xlatte and continue straight on until you reach a sharp bend to the right.
(10) Take the marked footpath on the left which climbs towards the Tourbière du Machais. Reach a small bridge over the Goutte du Machais and join the Route des Américains (D34a) at a bridge.
(11) Turn left onto the path that runs alongside this road for 200 metres, then cross the road and head right towards the Machais bog.
(12) Walk along the left side of the bog and, at the three-way junction, take the path on your left that climbs towards the Col de l'Étang.
(13) At the pass, there is a small shelter.
(14) Take the path furthest to the left heading north. This crosses a stream of stones and offers a beautiful view of the Machais bog. Continue along the path to reach the Route des Américains.
(15) Cross over and take the path opposite towards Lac de Blanchemer. Back on the main road, turn left until you reach the bend, then left again onto Chemin du Grand Bougre for 800 metres. Ignore the paths on either side.
(16) At the crossroads, leave the path and take a forest trail on the left that descends steeply to Lac de Blanchemer. Go around the lake on the left. You have now arrived at your campsite for the first stage (E).
All that remains is to find somewhere to sleep, bearing in mind that there is also a forest shelter with a fireplace available for shelter, sleeping or even eating in the evening.
Visorando member
Moderate 
Easy 
