Escles walks

A small, discreet corner of the Vosges, but one full of beautiful discoveries. Among others, the sources of the Saône and Madon rivers. We recommend that you read the description beforehand to identify the specific points of interest on the route in advance.

Starting from the pretty village of Grandrupt-de-Bains with its beautiful old houses, this hike will take you to a place where the Resistance fighters lived and trained in August and September 1944, but above all a place of remembrance. You will also discover: petroglyph rocks, boundary stones bearing coats of arms, ponds, picnic and rest areas and views of the Vosges mountains. A few sections on the road allow us to pass through forests, meadows and farmland, as well as rural areas.

A hike that winds through a wide variety of forests, both coniferous and deciduous. The hedgerow landscape creates a special atmosphere that makes for a pleasant hiking experience.

The trail continues through the forests of the Vôge and follows the Saône’s original course from its source.

Discover two ponds hidden within a large forest complex. Most of this hike takes place on well-maintained forest tracks. Only a few passages, secondary trails, may be overgrown with grass and young trees in spring and summer.

La randonnée débute sur le plateau du Verbamont. Vous traverserez les chênaies puis descendrez dans une première vallée d'un ruisseau sauvage, en saison quelques petites cascades et un paysage de mousses verte. Découverte d'un bel étang à Senennes, puis votre parcours se poursuit surplombant la rivière Ourche toujours sur des petits sentiers forestiers. La majeure partie de cette boucle se fait sur des chemins forestiers, parfois difficiles d'accès, et hors des sentiers. Il est fortement conseillé de se munir de l'application Visorando afin d'éventuellement se géolocaliser.

Circular route mainly through woodland, where you’ll hike through forests covered in green moss. Highlights include impressive rocks, a river, streams and small waterfalls.

An easy hike on the edge of the Vôge, in the Darney forest. A double circular to be done in a day, featuring monuments and ruins from different periods.

A lovely walk with plenty of points of interest, including Pont Tatal with its climbing and bungee jumping site, and Froideval Abbey set in lush green surroundings. Many other points of interest await you along the route.

The Madon and its tributaries are waterways that are important to preserve and maintain, both to limit flooding and for the environment, as they are sources of biodiversity and are responsible for the landscapes you will pass through on this walk.

Starting from the Manufacture Royale car park in Bains-les-Bains. After crossing lock 32, you will climb gently through the woods towards the hamlet of Les Baraques, then reach lock 31 and finish on the towpath between the river and the canal. (Please note that hunting is permitted on a small section of the route on Thursdays and Sundays.)

Hike starting from the Manufacture Royale in Bains-les-Bains, a magnificent 18th-century industrial site. Follow the blue fleurs-de-lis signs

Loop starting from the Manufacture Royale de Bains, through the forest, the fields on the Plateau de la Fosse le Loup and along the Canal de l'Est. Private hunting is permitted in part of the forest on Thursdays and Sundays.

Starting from the Manufacture Royale, a circular route crosses the estate, passing by the chapel, the ice house and the woods. Following the purple fleur-de-lis markings, you then reach the small forest track known as “le Chemin Noir” by local residents. After crossing the D164, you’ll join a small path through the forest to reach the old Roman road, which descends towards the “Pont du Coney” and then onto the Voie Bleue, the canal cycle path, to return to the Manufacture Royale.

Starting from the Manufacture Royale in Bains-les-Bains, a walk along the towpath between the Canal de l’Est and the River Coney. La Pipée footbridge, Bois de la Pipée and through the hamlet of Les Baraques. Down through the woods to lock no. 32. Marked with white fleurs-de-lis

Between the towpath and the forest, a short loop following the red fleurs-de-lis starting from the Manufacture Royale de Bains. (You may encounter a private hunt on Thursdays and Sundays)

Starting from the Manufacture Royale in La Vôge-les-Bains, this trail marked with orange fleurs-de-lis first runs alongside the Coney and the Canal de l’Est, then through Fontenoy-le-Château, before making a wide circular route across the plateau to reach the Maison Forestière de la Pipée. The return route follows the Ruisseau de Gruey to rejoin the Coney and return to the Manufacture Royale.

An easy circular route visiting the Canal des Vosges and the “La Colosse” sandstone quarry.

This walk combines exploring historical and natural heritage with a wooded route running alongside the Canal des Vosges, before finally skirting the site of the Manufacture Royale de Bains-les-Bains (see practical information). 03/08/2023 Moderator’s note: hike modified at point 6.

A pleasant little walk through woods, fields and paths, with some gentle hills. Starting from Virine, you’ll head down to Circourt, walk around the village and climb back up through the woods to return to Virine, passing a 360° viewpoint! Ideal in summer with plenty of shaded areas, though there are a few fairly steep slopes.

A varied hike through woods, meadows and valleys. Please note: the section of the route from point (10) is currently impassable due to fallen trees along the stream. To return to the starting point, head towards Circourt by following the road (D39) to the right, then turn left into Rue de la Chapelle, which passes in front of the church, and continue straight on along the road that extends from it to join the D39a. Cross it to find the path you took at the start and follow it to the left to return to the car park.

From Étang Neuf, a natural area featuring chalets and huts for hikers who have retained their childlike spirit, the route reveals the industrial past of Passavant-la-Rochère as it passes close to six former tile works, three of which were still in operation in the 1950s. However, the advent of cement tiles hastened the closure of the last remaining tile works, causing the village’s population to halve over the same period.