La Piquante Pierre and the Haut du Roc as seen from the Saut du Bouchot

de fr

This part of the Vosges is less well known than the area of the high peaks. However, a few peaks rise above 1,000 m, including the Haut du Roc and the Piquante Pierre. This walk offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area, stretching as far as the Ballon d’Alsace and the Ballon de Servance. Starting from the Saut du Bouchot, which offers a refreshing break, the climb is steady all the way to the Piquante Pierre. The section leading to the Haut du Roc involves a long descent before climbing again. Finally, for the rest of the route, it is simply a series of ascents and descents, although the path descends much more than it climbs.

Details

n°62376957
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.73 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 11h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,681 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,711 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,320 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,512 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Ascent towards La Piquante Pierre

Description of the walk

Start the walk at the Saut du Bouchot car park.

Red Disc markings

(S/E) Follow the road towards the bend and take the second track on the right towards Les Roches Saint-Jacques. At the junction, by a meadow, keep to the right until you reach a farm.

Red Triangle markings

(1) Turn right and follow the road. Cross the Ruisseau de Peute Goutte to reach a junction.

Green Triangle Signpost

Turn left twice as you head uphill. Keep left and, after passing L’Ormété, you’ll reach a crossroads. Take the track leading uphill and follow it to the Faing Berrey farm.

(2) Follow the path to the right, then take the road opposite until you reach the house. Then go up the wide track to the right. Next, veer off in that direction to follow a level path, cross a stream and reach a road at Haut des Kerrieux.

(3) Head straight ahead along a gently ascending track. After the houses, turn left and continue straight on until you reach a pass, with a bench a few metres before it where you can enjoy the view.

(4) Head down to the right along a path that becomes a small road leading to the Col de Fouchure.

(5) Head straight ahead towards La Piquante Pierre until you reach the next junction.

Blue Saltire signpost

(6) Turn left towards the stream and cross it. Then take a right-hand bend, followed by two left-hand bends, to reach a viewpoint.

(7) Continue uphill to reach a fork in the road. The signposting has changed compared to the IGN maps. Follow the Blue Saltire/Red Diamond trail to the right towards La Piquante Pierre. Then ignore two paths leading down to the left to stay at the edge of the forest and reach a track.

(8) Carry on straight ahead. At the next crossroads, turn right and enter the forest. Then follow the path to the right towards the summit (marked on the ground but not on IGN maps).

(9) Enjoy the view, then follow the wide ridge path as it continues. You’ll come to a three-way Fork in the road.

(10) Follow the path to the right until you reach the Col de Menufosse car park.

(11) Carry on straight ahead, skirting the forest, then keep to the right until you reach the second junction.

Blue Ring markings

(12) Head downhill and carry on straight ahead to the houses at Les Moinats. Follow the access road and, at its end, turn right towards the Col de la Croix des Moinats: there is a memorial in honour of the Moroccan goums.

Red Diamond signpost

(13) Cross the D34 very carefully to take the path to the right of the monument. Pass the first house, take a right-hand bend and arrive at a second house. Continue straight on along the path to Le Spechey.

(14) Head up to the left towards the Col des Hayes. When you reach the road, follow it to the left until you reach the pass.

(15) Follow the wide track to the right towards Haut du Roc. Ignore a track on the right and walk along a tarmac section until you reach a picnic table and the forest.

(16) Stay on the track and continue to the Tongoutte junction.

Blue Cross signposting

(17) Turn left then right onto a steeply sloping path towards the Haut du Roc. Join the track again and follow it to the right as far as the cross, the mast and the viewpoint.

(18) Then return to the track and turn right towards the Tables de Charlemagne. Pass these on your left, then take a path on the right.

Red Ring markings

Then keep to the right until you reach a holiday camp.

(19) Turn left, ignoring a path that descends to the right, and continue along the track. After a section on tarmac, take a left-hand bend and follow the track to the hairpin bend.

Yellow Saltire signpost

(20) Turn right onto a level path until you reach a viewpoint with a bench.

(21) Carry on, ignoring a path leading down to the left, until you reach another Fork in the road.

Green Ring signpost

Climb up, then keep to the left until you reach a viewpoint and an orientation board.

(22) Continue along the path. At the stream, head down to the left until you reach the path marked with a Yellow Cross.

Yellow Cross signposting

Keep level to the right until you reach the next junction.

(23) Head down to the end of the path.

Red Triangle markings

Turn left, go round a bend, then take the second path on the left. Turn left again and go round another bend. There is a slight difference in the signposting compared to the IGN maps. You’ll come to a rock and a viewpoint.

(24) Continue the descent. When you reach the road, turn right. Cross the stream and continue to the departmental road.

Blue Saltire Signpost

(25) Turn right, then immediately left, and right again to reach a Fork in the road.

No signposting

Carry on straight ahead.

Yellow Ring signpost

Turn left towards La Roche Plate and its panoramic views.

(26) Enjoy the view, then head back up towards the road, following the path.

Blue Diamond markings

Follow it down to the crossroads.

No markings

Keep to the right and round the bend. Then carry on straight ahead until you reach the ridge in the forest, on a track.

Red Diamond markings

(27) Head down to the left until you reach the crossroads.

Red Triangle markings

(28) Climb slightly to the right before the path levels out again. Ignore a junction. Then keep left until you reach a road.

(29) Head downhill. The shortcut shown on IGN maps is closed. Follow the red markings, then take the shortcut on the left. Cross the road once, then follow it to the right. After the hairpin bend, keep to the right, then take the path on the left. Continue downhill straight ahead until you reach the school and the sports ground. Carry on to the right towards the Chapelle Saint-Del.

(30) Return to the sports ground.

Unmarked

Follow the road and turn right. Cross the D23f carefully to take the path on the other side to the left. Continue to the end.

Red Disc markings

(31) Follow the track.

Yellow Ring signpost

Then head up to the right towards the Roche du Mettey. Then keep left towards this rock and its viewpoint.

Red Disc signpost

(32) Return to the junction and carry on straight ahead to the Pain de Sucre viewpoint.

(33) Carry on, then cut across a track towards the Balcon du Mettey.

(34) Take in this final view and climb a little further to reach the summit. Head back down, continue straight ahead and keep left three times towards the Saut du Bouchot. You’ll come to a picnic table.

(35) Carry on to the right, then turn left onto a steeper path towards the waterfall. Take in the view of the waterfall, then head back up to the right towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,585 ft - Car park at the - le saut du bouchot
  2. 1 : mi 0.38 - alt. 1,785 ft - Farm
  3. 2 : mi 1.26 - alt. 2,241 ft - Faing Berrey
  4. 3 : mi 1.84 - alt. 2,559 ft - Route Haut des Kerrieux
  5. 4 : mi 2.53 - alt. 2,736 ft - Bench and viewpoint - Col des Kerrieux (973m)
  6. 5 : mi 2.76 - alt. 2,621 ft - Col du Haut de Fouchure (798m)
  7. 6 : mi 2.88 - alt. 2,566 ft - Junction
  8. 7 : mi 3.28 - alt. 2,595 ft - Viewpoint
  9. 8 : mi 3.82 - alt. 3,015 ft - Track
  10. 9 : mi 4.4 - alt. 3,291 ft - La Piquante Pierre - Massif des Vosges
  11. 10 : mi 4.71 - alt. 3,271 ft - Junction
  12. 11 : mi 5.06 - alt. 3,176 ft - Col de Menufosse (966m)
  13. 12 : mi 5.63 - alt. 3,291 ft - Junction
  14. 13 : mi 6.21 - alt. 2,927 ft - Col de la Crois des Moinats (890m)
  15. 14 : mi 7 - alt. 2,720 ft - Le Spechey
  16. 15 : mi 7.34 - alt. 2,913 ft - Col des Hayes (888m)
  17. 16 : mi 7.76 - alt. 3,068 ft - Table and woodland
  18. 17 : mi 8.31 - alt. 3,091 ft - Tongoutte
  19. 18 : mi 8.63 - alt. 3,320 ft - Haut du Roc (1012m)
  20. 19 : mi 8.92 - alt. 3,143 ft - Holiday camp
  21. 20 : mi 9.62 - alt. 2,812 ft - Lacet
  22. 21 : mi 9.95 - alt. 2,740 ft - Viewpoint
  23. 22 : mi 10.44 - alt. 2,848 ft - Viewpoint and orientation table
  24. 23 : mi 10.76 - alt. 2,782 ft - Junction
  25. 24 : mi 11.52 - alt. 2,293 ft - Rock and viewpoint
  26. 25 : mi 11.96 - alt. 2,165 ft - Crossing the D34
  27. 26 : mi 12.22 - alt. 2,356 ft - Roche Plate
  28. 27 : mi 12.86 - alt. 2,474 ft - Ridge and track
  29. 28 : mi 13.25 - alt. 2,247 ft - Junction
  30. 29 : mi 14.08 - alt. 2,211 ft - Road
  31. 30 : mi 14.94 - alt. 1,657 ft - Chapelle Saint-Del (Gerbamont)
  32. 31 : mi 15.65 - alt. 1,683 ft - End of the road
  33. 32 : mi 16.14 - alt. 1,841 ft - Roche du Mettey
  34. 33 : mi 16.32 - alt. 1,873 ft - Le Pain de Sucre (Bugey)
  35. 34 : mi 16.64 - alt. 1,916 ft - Balcon du Mettey
  36. 35 : mi 17.37 - alt. 1,611 ft - Table
  37. S/E : mi 17.73 - alt. 1,585 ft - Car park at the Saut du Bouchot

Notes

Please note: the markings on IGN maps are inconsistent between (7) and (9), near (24), after (26), at (28) and after (29): GPS is therefore strongly recommended

Benches/tables at (4), (7), (16), (18), (21), (22), (26), (32) and (34)

Worth a visit

-(S/E) Saut du Bouchot.
-Viewpoints at (4), (7), (21), (22) and (24).
-(9) La Piquante Pierre and its monument.
-(13) Monument at the Col de la Croix des Moinats.
-(18) Top of the Roc.
-Charlemagne’s Tables.
-(26) La Roche Plate.
-(30) Saint-Del Chapel.
-(32) Roche du Mettey.
-(33) Pain de Sucre.
-(34) Balcon du Mettey.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
EWK
EWK

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Not at all “very difficult”, apart from its length.

I did it on a lovely Friday in late December 2024 with some beautiful powder snow, so I covered about half the distance on snowshoes. The rest was either on tarmac sections that had been cleared of snow and gritted, or on paths with little snow that were passable in snowshoes.

No technical difficulties. Lovely views over the surrounding valleys. The section between km 22 and 26, between Le Jole and Le Mettey, isn’t particularly exciting. You cross the Gerbamont plain on tarmac. The detour to the chapel is frankly pointless. The final few small hills are lovely (the Mettey rock followed by two viewing points). As I set off a bit late, I watched the sunset there and walked the last 2 kilometres in the dark.

In total, 6 hours 50 minutes, including a 50-minute break, with the rest covered at a good pace. I took 278 photos in exceptional conditions (not a cloud in the sky, 0°C with no humidity and lovely powder snow).

Thanks to the creator of this route!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Roches Saint-Jacques as seen from the Saut du Bouchot

Visorando Member
↔8.46 mi ↗+1,867 ft ↘-1,850 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gerbamont (Vosges)
The Gerbamont region offers several routes and remarkable sites. One of these is the Saut du Bouchot and its twin waterfalls. This circular route leads to the Roches Saint-Jacques at an altitude of 1,000 metres. The ascent takes place entirely within woodland. The descent offers better views thanks to a more open route.

Walking From Saut du Bouchot to Saut de la Bourrique

Visorando Member
↔16.86 mi ↗+2,805 ft ↘-2,831 ft ◔10h 10 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Gerbamont (Vosges)
There are numerous waterfalls on the slopes of the Vosges mountains. These include the Saut du Bouchot and the Saut de la Bourrique. These two waterfalls can be visited on a long walk, which is shown here. There are many advantages to this route, with unique views at Moyemont and Rocher des Ducs, but there is also cultural interest with a passage at Falaise de Lyris. A large part of the hike is through forest.

Walking The Vosges version of the Pain de Sucre, and the Balcon du Mettey

Visorando Member
Le Pain de Sucre, version Vosgienne, et le Balcon du Mettey
↔1.35 mi ↗+312 ft ↘-312 ft ◔0h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Gerbamont (Vosges)
In a little-known part of the Vosges mountains, you can take in views of the Bouchot valley over a relatively short distance, thanks to the three viewing points, two of which are fully secured. The paths are shaded and well maintained by the Club Vosgien.

Walking Circular loop starting from Sapois

Visorando Member
Boucle sportive au départ de Sapois
↔14.30 mi ↗+3,159 ft ↘-3,159 ft ◔9h 20 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Sapois (Vosges) (Vosges)
A fairly long circular forest loop starting from Sapois, with elevation changes and several winding sections, ideal for a challenging hike with beautiful scenery. You’ll come across a wide variety of points of interest.

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

Visorando Member
La Piquante Pierre au départ du Col du Haut de Fouchure
↔3.78 mi ↗+787 ft ↘-804 ft ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Basse-sur-le-Rupt (Vosges)
An easy and very pleasant walk along trails offering magnificent panoramic views throughout. At the summit of the Piquante Pierre, at an altitude of 1,008 metres, there is a magnificent view of part of the Vosges foothills and the lower Moselotte valley, as well as the surrounding high mountains. The descent takes you through the picturesque Plateaux valley, where the views are once again stunning. One last viewpoint and you will reach the Col du Haut de Fouchure, enchanted by the scenery.

Walking Viewpoint Trail in Basse-sur-le-Rupt

Visorando Member
Circuit des Points de Vue à Basse-sur-le-Rupt
↔4.04 mi ↗+846 ft ↘-856 ft ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Basse-sur-le-Rupt (Vosges)
Balcony circuit on the heights of Basse-sur-le-Rupt (or Planois) below Haut du Roc. This permanent circuit was mapped out by the Planois senior citizens' club. It can be done in both directions.

Walking Small trails in Basse-sur-le-Rupt

Visorando Member
Petits sentiers de Basse-sur-le-Rupt
↔9.02 mi ↗+1,417 ft ↘-1,427 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Basse-sur-le-Rupt (Vosges)
Please note that this hike is currently on hold pending modifications. Due to the fall of numerous trees, the route is obstructed and must be modified. We apologise for any inconvenience. This hike focuses on small trails and thirteen viewpoints with benches around Basse-sur-le-Rupt and the summit of Haut du Roc. The route is a combination of different sections of four existing circular trails that are very well marked.Two loops are possible: 9 km or 14.5 km.

Walking Piquante Pierre trail, Col de la Croix des Moinats, Haut du Roc

Visorando Member
Circuit Piquante Pierre, Col de la Croix des Moinats, Haut du Roc
↔8.16 mi ↗+1,837 ft ↘-1,837 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Basse-sur-le-Rupt (Vosges)
A beautiful route, 80% of which is uncovered. Lots of paths and trails and few paved roads. The route runs along the edge of the forest with beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.