The Ballon de Servance

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of the most enjoyable sections, apart from the stretch at Ballon de Servance, is the climb up to La Goutte des Saules from the forest huts to the Bravouse plateau (point 2). The wild trail runs as close as possible to the stream and, in places, its mini-canyons. (formerly marked with Yellow Discs). As this section has been abandoned in favour of a rather uninteresting forest road, the potential of this hike is seriously compromised. It is therefore advisable to undertake this route between 14 July and 15 December, during which time it is possible to follow the unmarked paths along the suggested route, although this does require some knowledge of map reading.
Make the most of being in this area to visit the St Antoine cave and then the Belvédère viewpoint (an additional 1.5 km).
At the Ballon de Servance, the route must be altered. The path that descends directly to the Col du Luthier has been removed, and you must take the longer route via the higher path, following the new route of the GR59. This does not spoil the experience, as it allows you to enjoy the view over the Moselle valley, pass by the USAF memorial, and make use of the Chalet Sailley and its facilities.
With friends, we set off from the forest lodges and made our way back by following the GR533 to the Vieil Etang. We then made our way to the Planche des Belles Filles (where we’d left a car that morning) via the pond of the same name (markings: Green Triangle then Red Disc). This avoids the long, endless forest roads at the end of the route. The distance is around 22km.

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Date of your route : Sep 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

We started the hike from the Rahin forest lodge (first car park); the climb up to the waterfalls is much more interesting and challenging than the forest track
Please note: the yellow circle route on the GPS track has been moved – it now follows a drivable forest track of little interest, which also involves significant detours. I recommend following the GPS track – the old route is still passable – but be careful with your direction; you need to pay attention as the path is no longer signposted, is no longer maintained and is starting to close up in places.
I recommend the detour to the St Antoine viewpoint
Otherwise, a very long hike along forest tracks with few views; the route is of moderate interest

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Date of your route : Jul 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

The sections in the Saint-Antoine forest following the development of the Goutte des Saules now follow only forest tracks to reach the top of the waterfall. This is due to the nature reserve regulations. A correction will be made on the new IGN maps in due course.

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Not yet completed.

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Date of your route : Jun 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
We enjoyed the route, though we did have one minor complaint about the forest track after the Col du Stalon: we found it too long and uninteresting. So we’ll try to shorten it a bit, turning right straight away at the Col du Stalon and then taking a path that will take us back to the bridge to rejoin the river. We saw it on the IGN map but we’re completely unfamiliar with the area and it may not be well maintained. So, to be continued. We’d like to do it with our hiking friends.
Also, we’re not getting the same distance. Following the route on the Visorando app, we’ve got 23.7 km going as far as St Antoine’s Cave.
Thank you for sharing, kind regards

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Date of your route : May 22, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The final stretch of the Plancher-les-Mines nature trail requires a good deal of concentration in wet weather!

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Date of your route : Aug 23, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,
A lovely walk, though the initial climb was quite strenuous
the descent was unpleasant due to continuous rain
A hike to recommend
Thank you

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Date of your route : May 10, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The start of the trail isn’t always easy to find. You need to make sure you’re heading in the right direction along the route (we ended up doing the trail in the wrong direction because we couldn’t find the starting point near the car park).
You need to pay close attention to the various markings along the way.
Otherwise, it’s a beautiful forest and an engaging part of the trail thanks to the explanations provided and the points of interest to see.
There’s also a stunning viewpoint above Servance.

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