The Saint-Laurent hillside

This is an easy hike, very pleasant even in hot weather as most of the route is through woodland.

Details

1340003
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.11 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 193 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 192 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 476 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 375 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Épinal (88000)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.145046° / E 6.44468°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3518OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Park at the side of the road near Rue de Bertraménil. There is very little traffic in the neighbouring streets.

__ Red Triangle markings
__
(S/E) Head south and take the forest path that climbs between the houses. Then follow the left-hand path at the first intersection.

(1) At the intersection, continue straight ahead and stay at roughly the same level.

(2) At the crossroads, go straight ahead to reach a gravel road.

(3) At the crossroads, continue along the dirt track that descends slightly to the left (south; do not take the gravel road). Please note that a descending section with large pebbles can be slippery in wet weather.

(4) At the intersection, turn right at an acute angle and go uphill. Ignore a path on the right further on.

(5) Follow the stone road to the left and descend to a tarmac road. Then follow this road to the right and leave the Red Triangle markings.

No markings

(6) At the fork, follow the left path towards the lodge. At the crossroads (elevation 390), turn sharply left and go up a gravel path. After about 200m (elevation 406), take a path on the right. At the crossroads, go straight ahead (west) and then head north-west.

Green disc markings

(7) At the intersection, take the path on the right. Follow the green disc markings to the edge of the Bouzey supply canal.

(8) To reach the road below, there are several paths (not all shown on the map): always try to take the least steep one that still leads to the road. Cross a track and turn right.

Blue disc markings

(9) Turn left and immediately take a path on the right that crosses the Bouzey supply canal (Blue Disc markings). Follow the canal on your right until you reach Saint-Laurent (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 379 m - Edge of the path near Rue de Bertraménil
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 414 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 436 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 1.98 - alt. 474 m - Crossroads near a gravel road
  5. 4 : km 2.34 - alt. 436 m - Intersection
  6. 5 : km 3.33 - alt. 457 m - Gravel road
  7. 6 : km 4.36 - alt. 402 m - Fork
  8. 7 : km 5.52 - alt. 453 m - Intersection
  9. 8 : km 6.49 - alt. 437 m - Descent
  10. 9 : km 6.84 - alt. 378 m - Canal
  11. S/E : km 8.11 - alt. 379 m - Edge of the path near Rue de Bertraménil

Notes

The route on the map corresponds to the paths and roads marked on a 1:25,000 scale IGN map.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 19340028
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The end of the route, marked by a green circle, is very DIFFICULT, descending along a very steep, slippery and complicated path with roots, under rocks.
I do not recommend this route with children or people without walking sticks to hold on to in order to avoid falling.

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User 24567645

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Fairly wooded route. A few viewpoints. Between points 8 and 9, the path no longer exists, so we followed a side trail. And between 9 and 10, part of the route was closed off, probably temporarily. It took us 2 hours and 20 minutes, walking at a normal pace and stopping regularly to take photos or look at the route.

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Pinky07
Pinky07

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy route, quite a few branches on the ground in the first section, some flooded ruts. Points of interest:
the lodge by the stream in the middle of the route and the Bouffrot rocks before following the Bouzey supply canal to the end.
Please note that part of the route (approx. 500 m) is closed along the canal (risk of falling branches).
Hike completed in 2 hours at a good pace.

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Annick Ménard
Annick Ménard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike because it is so varied: diverse forests, ponds, the Humbertois farm with its magnificent horses and peacocks (among other things), and the impressive Bouffrot rocks.
However, the advertised distance is slightly underestimated.

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pascaljeanroy
pascaljeanroy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route in the hills above Epinal, with plenty of shade.

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wsayer88
wsayer88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a pleasant hike, 90% of which takes place in the woods. It is recommended in hot weather, but caution is advised in rainy weather as some of the downhill sections are difficult, very steep and slippery in places, but very short, with exposed rocks on the path or pebbles that roll when you walk on them.

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randonanard
randonanard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Route in the forest, well shaded and without difficulties

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Vosg'patt
Vosg'patt

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk, we do it regularly as a family and in all seasons. A real escape, without having to go all the way to the Hautes-Vosges to find a breath of fresh air in the heart of the city.

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User 13582173

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I would not recommend this route if you are only using the text version. Not having a high-performance mobile phone, that's what I had to do. It was a bad decision!
I think the start is too vague: what does "near Bertraménil Street" mean? Just before the start of this street coming from the centre of Epinal? Just after?
I chose the first option and took a path that went uphill, but at the first intersection, you come to a road, not a path. And there was no red triangle. I looked everywhere, but couldn't see anything...

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ac92
ac92

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, mostly shaded along the route, with gentle slopes. The trail is easy to follow, but you leave the red triangle well before point 6, contrary to the directions. There is no water at all in the Bouzey supply canal: sad!

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