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Start at Col de Bramont (located in the commune of La Bresse) – Car park with parallel parking along the road.
(S/E) Stay on the car park side and follow the road up to the Col de Bramont, then turn sharply left, heading north-north-east, with the Vosges Department sign on your left. Pass through a wooden gate and take the Chemin Vaxelaire, marked with a Yellow Cross, towards Col de l'Étang. You will see an information sign about the Machais Bog. After a few metres, at a three-way junction in the path, keep right onto the marked path which climbs gently.
(1) Near the Machais Bog, continue along the path downhill, following the Red Triangle markings, towards Étang de Machais.
(Note: As the Machais Bog is a designated nature reserve, it is not possible to approach it; it can be seen through the trees, and on the return journey the route will pass a viewpoint above the Col de l'Étang). Cross a road, first turn left then right to follow the path running alongside the road on the left, marked with Red Triangles. You will arrive at a car park and the Abri de Machais.
(2) Follow the Red Triangle markings towards Lac de Blanchemer via the Chemin des Italiens (ignore the Chemin du Génie). You will reach a road.
(3) Turn right, following the Blue Triangle markings towards Lac de Blanchemer. Cross the car park, then head right to go round the lake to the Chalet de Blanchemer.
(4) Head up to the right, following the Yellow Disc markings, towards the Barrage de la Lande (there are two paths that join further up). You’ll reach a road; follow it up to the right.
(5) At the next three-way junction, take a path on the right, marked with a Yellow Cross, towards the Col de l’Étang de Machais. At a three-way junction, keep right to follow the Chemin du Grand Bougre (marked with a Yellow Cross towards Lac de Blanchemer, then towards Le Valsche).
(Ignore the Blue Triangle markings leading up towards the Route des Crêtes and the Rainkopf, then down towards Lac de Blanchemer).
(6) At a junction, continue along the Chemin du Grand Bougre (ignore the sign for the Chalet de Machais) then, further on, keep right (Yellow Cross markings towards the Col de l'Étang and the Col de Bramont). Pass through a gate.
(7) Before the road, turn right, following a path marked with a Yellow Cross towards the Col de l'Étang de Machais. Further down, cross the road. The path then crosses a long wooden footbridge.
In a scree slope, enjoy a stunning view of the Tourbière de Machais. Arrive at a shelter at the Col de l'Étang.
(8) Continue straight ahead, following the Blue Rectangle markings towards Col de Bramont. Further on, in a wide right-hand bend, don’t miss a beautiful view of Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein.
(9) Keep following the Blue Rectangle markings.
(10) Near the finish, ignore the signpost for Col de Bramont via the footpath and stay on the track. You will soon reach Col de Bramont (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Tourist office
Easy 
