La Piquante Pierre at the start of the Col du Haut de Fouchure

From Vagney, head towards Basse-sur-le-Rupt on the D34. Turn left at the Planois exit onto the Route de la Vierge to reach the Col du Haut du Fouchure: parking available.

Anneau Bleu trail markers

(S/E) Take the Blue Ring marked path uphill just at the junction of the three tarmac roads:superb views of Vagney and the Moselotte valley.

Green Triangle markings

(1) At the first crossroads at Haut de Fouchure, turn right towards Roches Saint-Jacques and Les Plateaux: there is a shelter with a picnic table 50 metres away.

(2) At the next crossroads, continue along the path on the left which passes above the hamlet of Les Plateaux. Walk past a house on your right and you will reach a crossroads about 300 m after it.

(3) The marked trail first turns left then right along a path that crosses a meadow where cows may be grazing. If necessary, you can continue along the parallel path on the right to avoid them. Pass a first fenced-off water source, a memorial stone, then a second water source, and you will reach a crossroads.

Blue Ring Markings

(4) Turn right onto the path towards Col de Menufosse and Piquante Pierre, then further right towards Piquante Pierre. Continue to the viewpoint.Superb views over part of the Vosges foothills, the lower Moselotte valley and the surrounding high mountains. There are benches and a picnic table ideally located on the other side.

(5) Descend via a small path on the right and you will reach a three-way junction.

Blue signpost

(6) There are two options:
- either the path on the left along the edge of the forest,
- or the one on the right (choice of route). Follow this path down through the Ruisseau des Plateaux valley, making two wide turns. Beautiful views throughout the gradual descent over the hamlet of Les Plateaux and the Col de Fouchure. Return to the path along the edge of the forest left earlier.

(7) Continue downhill, then take the path on the right to climb up to the viewpoint (elevation 806) and enjoy a beautiful view (there is a bench).

(8) Retrace your steps and rejoin the route on the right.

(9) Turn right to cross the Ruisseau des Plateaux stream. The path then climbs between meadows and joins the road leading to Planois.

(10) Follow this road up to the right to reach the Col du Haut de Fouchure and the car park (S/E).

Sheltered picnic table just beyond (1).
Picnic table and benches at the top of Piquante Pierre (5).
Bench at the viewpoint (8).

La Piquante Pierre: the site of La Piquante Pierre owes its name to the granite block that dominates the valley at an altitude of 1,008 metres. One side of this monolith bears a plaque in tribute to the 83 resistance fighters who were shot during the Second World War.