The Haute Pierre route in Moyenmoutier

A fairly challenging walk on the hills above Moyenmoutier to explore the ruins of the Château de la Haute Pierre and its 360° panorama. Then technical sections through the Roches de la Balance and de Lanceux before reaching the Croix de Malfosse crossroads for a gentle descent back to the abbey grounds.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 416 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 411 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 639 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 308 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts at the Moyenmoutier Abbey park. There is a large car park in the park, opposite the abbey.

(S/E) From the park, cross the Rabodeau via one of its two footbridges and head right towards Moyenmoutier Town Hall.

(1) Immediately after the town hall, turn left onto Rue de la Haute Pierre (towards Saint-Prayel and the shooting range).
Continue uphill for about ten minutes until you reach the shooting range on your right.

(2) Turn right onto the path next to the shooting range (marked with a Red Triangle) and continue to the junction with a forest track.

(3) Continue straight along the path, following the Yellow Ring markings (signposted ‘Route de la Haute Pierre’). Follow these markings for the rest of the route.

(4) After a steep climb, you’ll reach another junction. Note that the route continues to the right. However, at this point, turn left to visit the Ruins of La Haute Pierre (100 m away).

(5) Discover the promontory with its view over the valley. After a break, retrace your steps.

(4) Continue straight ahead on the route towards the Roche de la Balance and the Croix de Malfosse (Yellow Ring).

(6) After ten minutes and some more or less technical sections (climbing over rocks) over nearly 2 km near the Roche de la Balance and the Roches de Lanceux, you’ll reach the Carrefour de la Croix de Malfosse.

(7) Immediately turn right downhill onto the tarmac road leading to Moyenmoutier (Yellow Ring).

(8) After fifteen minutes, at a junction, leave the road continuing towards La Prelle on the left and take the forest track on the right (Yellow Ring).

(3) After more than 2 km, you will reach the junction you passed on the way out. This time, turn left downhill to reach the shooting range (Red Triangle markings).

(2) From the shooting range, turn left onto the road to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 311 m - Moyenmoutier Abbey Park. Cross the - Rabodeau (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 311 m - Moyenmoutier Town Hall
  3. 2 : km 0.87 - alt. 377 m - Shooting range
  4. 3 : km 1.1 - alt. 409 m - Common A/R junction
  5. 4 : km 2.08 - alt. 561 m - Crossroads. Return to the viewpoint
  6. 5 : km 2.21 - alt. 572 m - La Haute Pierre
  7. 6 : km 3.11 - alt. 627 m - Haute Murée
  8. 7 : km 5.5 - alt. 592 m - Malfosse Cross
  9. 8 : km 6.89 - alt. 408 m - Crossroads
  10. S/E : km 10.25 - alt. 311 m - Moyenmoutier Abbey Park

Notes

Good picnic spots at the Carrefour de la Croix de Malfosse (7) (benches, tables). There is also a bench at the summit of the Haute Pierre (5) and a little space to sit down.

For the technical sections near La Haute Murée, in wet weather, it is best to wear shoes with good grip on wet rock.

A beautiful fountain opposite the town hall in Moyenmoutier.

A cycle path starts at Etival Clairefontaine station and runs alongside the grounds of Moyenmoutier Abbey (towards Senones and Moussey).
Alternatively, for those who are unsure of their fitness levels, it is possible to drive directly to the car park at the shooting range.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
air&nature
air&nature

Hello, thank you for your review. Indeed, the main drawback of this hike is the tarmac descent from point 7 (Croix de Malfosse) to point 8. This section is 1,350 metres long.
It is really difficult to take another route back to the starting point without adding several kilometres, including more tarmac sections.

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User 11210533

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, technical at times.
The only downside is the long descent on tarmac road.

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Crigeda
Crigeda

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route near the shooting range has been altered. Ignore the path that runs alongside the shooting range on your left.
Continue for a few hundred metres along the tarmac road and turn right onto a path that goes uphill

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Dom64
Dom64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the route in reverse, starting with the long tarmac climb and finishing in the woods, which I think is easier.

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JL54
JL54

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is pleasant and not very busy. The signposting has recently been updated. Follow the yellow and red markings.

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