Mondon State Forest in Moncel-lès-Lunéville

A pleasant walk in the Mondon National Forest with no significant elevation gain and on wide paths (except near the Grand Étang). The route is made easy by clear landmarks. Stop at the Grand Étang to watch the birds.

Details

2964574
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 17 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 17 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 263 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 244 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park at the Maison Forestière du Rendez-Vous, at the very end of Rue Mondon and after the overpass over the motorway.

(S/E) Head south-east along the forest track on the right with the red and white barrier. Pass the old shooting range (hillock on the left and clearing on the right) to reach a yellow gas pipeline marker numbered 82.

(1) After passing this marker on your right, take the main track on the left, called Tranchée du Grand Étang.

(2) Atthe third path on the right, turn right to see the Grand Étang and the old fish farm. Beautiful view.

(3) At the corner of the pond, a small path branches off to the left, marked with a “Héron” sign. Follow this path and don’t hesitate to enjoy the views over the pond. There are sections over small wooden bridges where you’ll need to be careful.

(4) The path marked “Héron” branches off to the left. Continue straight on to join a main path; turn right and go straight on until you reach a four-way junction (forest plot numbers: 41 on the right and 51 on the left).

(5) Turn left and carry on straight ahead until you come to gas pipeline markers. Pass markers 89, 91 and 95, then reach another crossroads.

(6) Turn left to follow a wide track, the Chemin des Noeuds, and continue until you reach a road.

(7) Cross over and head straight ahead to join a forest track coming from the left. Continue right along this track, go straight on at the junction to reach a red and white barrier just before the edge of the woods.

(8) Immediately after this gate, turn left to begin a long, straight descent (passing a rusty gate). At the very bottom, turn left to continue along the motorway and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 246 m - Rendez-Vous Forest House
  2. 1 : km 1.82 - alt. 244 m - Grand Étang Trench
  3. 2 : km 2.39 - alt. 250 m - Chemin du Grand Étang
  4. 3 : km 2.7 - alt. 249 m - Path on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.24 - alt. 251 m - Straight ahead
  6. 5 : km 4.44 - alt. 246 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.24 - alt. 253 m - Chemin des Noeuds on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.22 - alt. 258 m - Road
  9. 8 : km 8.56 - alt. 262 m - Edge of the woods, on the left
  10. S/E : km 12.02 - alt. 246 m - Rendez-Vous Forest House

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.2 / 5
blandan
blandan

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The only interesting feature is the proximity to the pond; otherwise, the straight paths are monotonous and boring. This route isn’t really suitable for walking; it’s better done by mountain bike.

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Christecol
Christecol

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

An easy afternoon stroll through a forest currently undergoing regeneration (low-canopy forest) with numerous plots planted with poplars in monoculture. I’ll be back in 30 years’ time...
The roads were ‘blocked’ by ‘hunting in progress’ signs, yet there were no hunters to be seen and it was the school holidays. What are we to make of that?
The route is better suited to mountain bikers than to walkers, as the walking is a bit monotonous along the straight stretches.

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NICPIE
NICPIE

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very easy walk as there is little elevation gain and few tricky sections.
The pond is the only real point of interest. The rest of the walk takes place on wide, straight paths.

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Michel JACQUET
Michel JACQUET

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very easy walk, but a bit misleading. Let me explain: I chose this walk for a particularly hot day because it’s entirely through the forest. However, the paths are very wide and straight, so the ‘shade’ I was hoping for didn’t quite work out. Well, as we say in Lorraine, ‘I’m just nitpicking’ – it’s a lovely, easy walk to do with the family.

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pal13
pal13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk,
A pond with lovely views
Quite a few cyclists coming up fast,
The final stretch is right next to the motorway (fencing in place) and is less interesting

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