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Grandes Baraques car park in the Chailluz Forest. Yellow-red and yellow-blue markings. Some sections are unmarked.
(S/E) The hike starts at the "Bienvenue" sign, which has a map. Cross the grove, with the sign behind you, for about 30 metres to find the path that you will take to the right. Quickly, at a fork in the path, at the foot of a signpost, turn right and then left onto the gravel road.
(1): At forest signs 108 and 170, leave the gravel road and take the path on the right. Continue straight ahead at sign 171. At the next trail junction, continue straight ahead.
(2): At forest signpost 89 and the marker post, the path turns left and uphill (towards Dame Blanche). At the tarmac road, continue straight ahead, passing between the barriers to reach the Petites Baraques car park. Turn right before the building, taking the small tarmac road that crosses the motorway, the only downside of the walk, but you'll soon leave it behind you.
(3) At the fork, after the footbridge, go up to the right. At the next fork, continue left for 200 metres and leave the small road (and the markings) to climb up the more pleasant path that cuts across the hairpin bends. When you reach the gravel road for the fourth time, continue along the path opposite for a few steps to find a yellow-blue marked path that you take on the right, following the ridge line.
(4) You will rejoin the gravel road at a hairpin bend, which you will climb a little to the left. The markings continue along this forest road, but I strongly recommend taking the beautiful cliff path that climbs to the left. Be careful not to confuse it with the wider path to the left a little earlier. You will walk along the ridge with beautiful views of the Ognon valley. Stay as close as possible to the ledge, walking along the ridge at a distance with beautiful views of the Oignon valley, always taking care. This is an old hiking trail with yellow and blue markings that are still clearly visible. When it meets the road, continue along the path.
(6) You will reach the forest road, which you will follow for about 50 metres. After signs no. 40 and 18, take the ridge path on the left to the viewpoint (619 m) over the Ognon valley and, on the far right, the Vosges peaks (Hohneck, Ballon de Servance, Ballon d'Alsace and Grand Ballon).
(6) With your back to the valley, descend about 20 metres and turn left, passing in front of some ruins, then descend a small staircase in front of the entrance to the fort. Go back below the viewpoint and descend the stony path to the nearby fork, marked by a signpost and forest signs nos. 39 and 40. Then descend to the left in the direction of the VTT23 mountain bike route. You will pass in front of some old galleries and, at the next fork, continue downhill to the left.
(7) At a signpost, you will reach a wider path which you follow downhill to the right to pass under the motorway. After the tunnel, at the new fork, continue downhill to the left along this stony path. Cross the two barriers and the small tarmac road, heading straight towards the buildings via Chemin de la Soue au Corbon. Before the octagonal pavilion, turn right to reach the car park (S/E).
The route includes cliff-side paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Moderate 
