Hike no. 1 - Montagne des Fourmis

The Circuit des Fourmis is the ideal place for a family walk. This short trail is dotted with ant sculptures, which explain its name, and information panels. The trail is marked with ant symbols.

Details

2298604
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 91 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 91 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 571 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 474 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure: Place Stanislas in Bruyères.

(S/E) Leave Place Stanislas and head to the roundabout. Go up Avenue du Cameroun towards Saint-Dié-des-Vosges and Épinal. At the traffic lights, continue straight ahead on Rue Léopold, then Rue Joffre.

(1) At the three-way junction, take Rue de la Libération where you will see the first ant on the right indicating that you are on the right track. Turn right onto Rue du442ème RCT towards Montagne des Fourmis. Another ant and numerous signs indicate that you have arrived at the foot of Montagne des Fourmis. Keep following the "ant" signs.

(2) Continue uphill to the right along the small road. During the ascent, you will pass more ants. Continue uphill to reach the Carrefour des Quatre Chemins.

(3) Take the marked path on the left and follow the signs towards the "Point du Jour". After 150 metres, you will find a playground on the left that will delight the little ones.

(4) Continue straight ahead towards Point du Jour. At Point du Jour, enjoy panoramic views of Bruyères and the surrounding peaks.

(5) Continue down the path. Join a wider path and turn left to continue downhill to the foot of Montagne des Fourmis.
Take the path straight back to Place Stanislas.

(2) Take Rue du442ème RCT, then straight ahead onto Rue de la Libération.

(1) Follow Rue Joffre and Rue Léopold towards the city centre. Take Avenue du Cameroun and join Place Stanislas (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 480 m - Place Stanislas in Bruyères
  2. 1 : km 0.78 - alt. 474 m - Three-way junction
  3. 2 : km 1 - alt. 480 m - Foot of Montagne des Fourmis
  4. 3 : km 1.98 - alt. 531 m - Quatre Chemins crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.45 - alt. 545 m - Children's playground
  6. 5 : km 2.72 - alt. 567 m - Viewpoint over the valley
  7. S/E : km 4.24 - alt. 480 m - Place Stanislas in Bruyères

Notes

You can also start at the foot of Montagne des Fourmis to shorten the journey.

Follow the signs with an ant design.

Worth a visit

(3) At the Quatre Chemins crossroads, there are picnic tables where you can enjoy a snack or take a short break.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
BacchusickoubieVino
BacchusickoubieVino

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant hike, even with a dog. One small downside regarding parking. I don't see the point of parking in the centre of Bruyères and walking across town. It's a shame that the comment about parking options is only mentioned in the middle of the hike description.

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User 20461938

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and easy hike to do with children

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maicha
maicha

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

an interesting, fun and informative walk. The only downside, which can easily be avoided, is crossing the town, but parking is available near the mountain

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Gzantar
Gzantar

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaved

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Pat photos
Pat photos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very interesting and educational hike.

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chenedra
chenedra

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk and the anthills are impressive

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pfeiffer sylvain
pfeiffer sylvain

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An original and informative walk about the life of our friends the ants and the flora and fauna of the Vosges. However, we sometimes got lost when starting from the bottom of the mountain. It is better signposted when starting from the top. We continued with a visit to the US memorial in the middle of the forest, where we learned that Japanese soldiers took part in the liberation of the town of Bruyères.

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clel55
clel55

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk with two children and a dog.

Great fun for the kids, lots of beautiful ants to see and learn a little more about them. A playground where you can take a break and let the kids play.

Thanks for sharing!

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Papinouxe
Papinouxe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery with our granddaughter, easy and enjoyable.

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Bill_Millin
Bill_Millin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very clear signage, very interesting explanation about ants.

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david dousset
david dousset

Thank you for your feedback.
There are many other hikes waiting for you in the Vosges valleys.
See you soon!

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bernature
bernature

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant short walk through the woods, ideal for young children. If you find it too short for children who are used to walking, there are other walks nearby, such as the American memorial

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