L'Étang du Devin via the Tête des Faux

Park at Col du Calvaire, in the car park of the Lac Blanc winter sports resort.

(S/E) From the car park, pass under the high-voltage power lines and start by following a marked Green Ring trail which climbs north-east through grassland, then into the woods, and reaches the Petite Tête des Immerlins.

⚠️ 12 April 2026: comment from a user =>
Between (1) and (2): diversion imposed by the Vosgiens club due to a wildlife sanctuary. It is therefore impossible to reach the Tête des Immerlins. However, the diversion is very well signposted.

(1) Following the Green Ring markings east and north-east, the path descends and then climbs slightly towards the Tête des Immerlins.

(2) At an elevation of 1,216 metres. Caution: the descent can be tricky due to the condition of the path, which consists mainly of slippery rocks. The path leads to a small Duchesne Cemetery dating from the 1914–1918 war.

(3) This is also a junction of several paths. Go straight on along the path that climbs, now following the^GR®®5marked with a Red Rectangle. The path climbs steeply towards the Tête des Faux, a pile of rocks topped by a cross.

(4) Continue along the^GR®®5towards the south-east. Note the blockhouses and remnants of the First World War along the way. The path descends and leads to the Roche du Corbeau.

(5) This is also a former bunker from the 1914–1918 war. Continue to follow the Red Rectangles as you descend along a fairly steep path leading to the Étang du Devin.

(6) Head towards the Gîte de l’Étang du Devin. Just before the lodge, immediately after a small chapel, a path branches off to the left.

(7) This is still the^GR®®5; it climbs to the left, then, after a wide left-hand bend, about 200 m further on, you’ll reach a junction with a path marked with a Green Ring.

(8) Turn left onto this path; it climbs quite steeply and eventually joins a wider forest track at a bend.

(9) Take this path to the left, continuing south-west and always following the Green Ring markings. The path then turns south and reaches another junction. Continue along the main path, now marked with a Yellow Ring.

(10) Keep heading in the same direction. Further on, the forest track reaches a^{first Y-junction}. Keep left in the same direction; after a few hundred metres, the^GR®® joins this forest track from the left.

(11) Continue straight on; the path begins a gentle descent then turns right to go round the Petite Tête des Immerlin. Pass the Tinfronce ski runs; the path climbs slowly, then steeply at the end as it joins the car park of the ski resort at Col du Calcaire (S/E).

Understanding the Club Vosgien trail markings.

Up to the Étang du Devin, the route consists mainly of stony paths with significant gradients. Make sure you wear suitable footwear. From point (10) onwards, it is a very easy forest path with lovely views over the Béhtine valley in winter and early spring.
In many places, signs ask you not to enter the woods to preserve the animals’ peace and quiet. Please respect them.

(1), (3) and (5): there are still many traces of the^First World War on this walk. Although the trees now block the view, this was not the case at the time. Everything was clear and the view stretched far and wide, hence the strategic importance of the Tête des Faux. Reading the information near the cemetery (1), one can easily imagine the harsh living conditions and the battles that decimated the armies, mainly during the winter of 1914–1915.

(6): The Étang du Devin is a fine example of a peat bog in the process of formation. One part is covered with grasses and sphagnum mosses, characteristic of peat bogs, whilst the other is still free of water. Peat bogs require constant moisture to develop. There are quite a few in the Vosges, due to high rainfall.