The Champ de Roches

In the middle of a dense pine forest, huge granite boulders are piled up to a depth of 7 to 8 metres over a length of 400 metres and a width of 40 metres. The Barbey-Seroux Rock Field remains a mystery to scientists. A one-kilometre marked nature trail allows visitors to explore this astonishing rock chaos. An easy and pleasant walk suitable for young children.

Details

33019904
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 28 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 28 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 751 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 723 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Gérardmer, follow the D423 to Granges-sur-Vologne. In the centre of the village, turn right onto the D31, which leads to Barbey-Seroux. The Champ des Roches is then signposted.
Park at the car park at La Grande Roche.

Red Ring-marked discovery trail

(S/E) At the end of the small car park, take the path that branches off to the right very quickly and follow the Red Ring markings of the Champ des Roches Discovery Trail, which leads straight to this surprising rock formation. Several information boards line the route. The path crosses the impressive rocky outcrop.

(1) At the first information panel, go straight on then turn right. Continue along the wide path which branches off twice to the left, heading towards the Haut de l’Aile. Note the menhir.

(2) The path winds its way through the broom, then turns left. Lined with ferns and dense vegetation, the track returns towards the Champ de Roches and runs alongside it through a pleasant pine forest. This section offers a fine view of the scale of this mysterious field of stones. The path takes you back to the first information board.

(1) Return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 723 m - Car park at La Grande Roche
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 729 m - First information panel
  3. 2 : km 1 - alt. 744 m - Menhir
  4. S/E : km 1.79 - alt. 723 m - Car park at La Grande Roche

Notes

At the start or end of the circular route, an area with two picnic tables provides a spot for a packed lunch

Worth a visit

Amidst conifer plantations, a pile of granite stones emerges as the path bends. Taking the shape of a rectangle, it stretches 400 m long, 40 m wide and is several metres thick. The weight and size vary from one boulder to another.
A wonder of nature, the existence of such chaos amazes and fascinates. How can such a concentration of stones in such a small space be explained? As is always the case, it has given rise to numerous legends in which the presence of the Devil is never far away.
The Barbey-Seroux Field of Rocks remains an enigma to scientists. Several hypotheses have been put forward, such as that of large blocks of stone torn from the mountain by the glacier, with rapid ice melt believed to be the cause of this deposit of erratic boulders.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

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

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short walk.

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Mamiestellou79
Mamiestellou79

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really lovely walk where we discovered a beautiful spot. A brisk walk

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tia
tia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely morning walk in the woods with our dog – an easy route with no difficulties, offering the chance to explore the geological curiosity that is the rock field! There are also information boards dotted along the route.

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EMMANU
EMMANU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s an incredible sight – great fun for children, but best done in dry weather if you want to walk on the rocks; otherwise, stick to the path that runs alongside the rock field.

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sorciere54
sorciere54
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful find, a geological curiosity. A peaceful and pretty forest.

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