From Saut des Cuves to Roche des Chiens

Start the hike at the Saut des Cuves car park.

Unmarked

(S/E) Cross the Vologne and head towards the roundabout. Take the left-hand exit and cross the road very carefully at the pedestrian crossing.

Red Disc markings

Head up a winding path on the right. The path then turns left to climb towards La Roche des Bruyères. You’ll come to a track.

(1) Continue climbing straight ahead and join another track.

Green Rectangle Markings

Turn left twice, towards La Roche des Bruyères and its viewpoint.

(2) Stay on the path and take the track straight ahead to the first Fork in the road (note that the markings on the IGN map have changed on this section).

(3) Head down to the left to cross two roads, one of which requires great care. Continue along the path downhill opposite, which soon leads to a power line. At the road, continue downhill opposite towards the Gorge des Roitelets and the Ferme de Vologne.

Signpost for Gorges des Roitelets

(4) Turn right towards the gorges. This section is strongly discouraged in winter conditions and during wet weather. When you reach the river, follow it to the left, sometimes in its bed, sometimes along the banks. You will arrive near the Vologne.

Signpost: Green Rectangle with a white cross

(5) Walk down along the river, staying on the same bank. At the houses, keep to the right towards Basse de l'Ours.

Signpost: Green Disc

(6) Head up to the right, then to the left, at a scree slope. The path winds its way up alongside it on the right. At the top, keep to the left. Ignore a path that climbs too early to the right, and take the one that descends to the Roche du Corbeau (here too, the IGN maps are out of date).

(7) Descend to the left, following the switchbacks, to the rock and its viewpoint.

(8) Head back up to the previous junction.

Green Triangle markings

(7) Head up to the left towards the forest track, cross it and continue straight ahead. Keeping straight ahead, you’ll reach the houses at Nayemont.

(9) Continue along the road until you reach the path on the right.

Red Disc Signpost

Carry on straight ahead to the Sainte-Anne Chapel and its pond.

(10) Turn left onto a forest path and arrive at Les Places.

(11) Stay on the road, cross the Rayrand Stream, and reach a Fork in the road with a path on the left.

Green Triangle signpost

(12) Continue straight ahead, then keep right twice, before going straight on to the D8.

(13) Cross it very carefully and take the steep path straight ahead towards Rocher des Chiens. The tarmac ends at the Chaxelles farm.

(14) Go round it on the right, ignore a track on the right, and enter the forest on a dirt track. This track veers left to reach a dead end at Haut des Frêts. Continue to the Fork in the road.

(15) Turn sharply right until you reach the track on the left.

Red Triangle markings

Head up to the left towards La Roche des Chiens. Go past the gate, then keep climbing straight ahead. Continue to the crossroads with the bench and shelter on the left. Head straight ahead towards La Roche des Chiens.

(16) Then return to the previous junction.

Green Rectangle Markings

Follow the track to the left, sometimes slightly uphill and sometimes downhill. Pass the Fontaine de l'Abreuvoir. Watch out for falling rocks when passing along a ledge. Ignore two paths that descend too early to the left to reach a third.

Blue Triangle Markings

(17) Head down to the left towards Xonrupt-Longemer. Please note: the IGN maps are out of date; you must follow the current route. You’ll reach a Y-junction; head straight ahead, then turn left towards the Route Forestière de la Béheuille.

(18) First turn left then right, then continue downhill to the road.

Signpost: Green Rectangle with a white cross

(19) Turn right uphill and continue to the second cul-de-sac on the left, Impasse de la Roche du Page.

Blue Ring signpost

Follow it to the end.

Signpost for Roche du Page

At the end, turn left towards Roche du Page, its cross and its viewpoint.

(20) Then return to the junction.

Blue Ring signpost

Head down to the left, then follow the road to the first junction.

(21) Keep to the right and continue to the next junction. Carry on to the right, turn left, and continue to the next one.

(22) Take the path on the right. First turn left then right, before continuing straight on to the D417.

(23) Cross it carefully, and follow the small path on the left alongside the road. Continue along the first path on the left, then turn right after the bridge.

Signpost for Saut des Cuves

Take the first path on the right downhill to reach the Vologne. Stay along the riverbank until you reach Saut des Cuves. Cross the road again, taking care, to reach the car park (S/E).

Take care when crossing roads shortly after (S/E) and (3), as well as at (13) and (23).

Please note that the route markings on IGN maps are out of date over a short section from (3), between (6) and (8), and between (17) and (18).

A short section features recent scree between (16) and (17): take care.

The Gorge des Roitelets trail is strongly discouraged during winter and when it rains: it is technical, slippery and runs along a riverbed.

Shelter and a table are available at La Roche des Bruyères (2) and on the left before La Roche des Chiens (16).

-(S/E) Saut des Cuves.

-(2) Roche des Bruyères and its viewpoint.

-Between (4) and (5): Gorge des Roitelets.

-(8) : Roche du Corbeau and its viewpoint.

-(10) Sainte-Anne Chapel.

-(16) Roche des Chiens and its viewpoint.

-(20) Roche du Page and its viewpoint.