16/09/2024: Starting point changed. The access road and car park at Lac de la Maix are inaccessible for an indefinite period.
Country:
District:
Departure from the Col du Prayé car park.
(S/E) From the car park, follow the road westwards, following the blue diamond markings until you reach a crossroads.
(1) To the right of this tarmac road, continue along the hairpin bend to reach a new crossroads north of Col de Prayé.
(2) Take the path on the left to reach a crossroads after La Corbeille (passing through the forest at the top of La Corbeille, where you will find remnants of the First World War, including trenches and a bunker).
(3) Descend to the right, then quickly turn left onto the small path through the heather, which opens up to a viewpoint overlooking the Struthof Camp memorial and the Champ du Feu. Join the RF at the Stèles, on the left, "fortified stones" remains of the First World War.
(4) Turn left and take the Croix Brignon forest road. Pass a turn-off on the left and continue to the crossroads at Col de la Croix Brignon.
(5) Take the track on the left, then follow a hairpin bend to the right to reach another crossroads.
(6) Continue up the forest road on the left. When you reach the top, you will come to another crossroads.
(7) Turn right onto the path marked Lac de la Maix and continue to the car park. Take the path at the end of the car park towards the lake (you can walk around it to admire the wild setting of this glacial lake). You will reach the chapel and the memorial stone.
(8) Continue along the track. Pass a path on your left and continue along the mountainside until you reach a smaller path on the left, which leads to the Fontaine Colas Lorrain.
(9) Take the path on the right to see the cup-marked rocks (information available on site).
(10) Return to the fountain.
(9) Continue along the path on the right, going uphill. A few metres further on, continue left until you reach the Les Auges crossroads. Go straight ahead to reach the Route Forestière crossroads and take advantage of the shelter for a meal or snack.
(11) Take the forest path on the left, parallel to the forest road, until you reach the Oratoire du Haut du Bon Dieu.
(12) Continue to the right along the Route Forestière des Bannes. Pass a turn-off on the right and continue to the next crossroads.
(1) Take the hairpin bend to the right. Pass the Clairière de Prayé and reach the Prayé refuge where there are tables for meals on the tarmac road.
(13) Retrace your steps.
(1) Take the road towards Col de Prayé until you reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
