Le Grand Rougimont-Chte Turquestein-Roche aux fées

A magnificent hike, with no major difficulties apart from access to the Grand Rougimont - the ruins of Turquestein Castle - the fairy rock and the boundary stone trail, which will take you back to the Middle Ages.
Moderator's addition on 23/08/2021: This hike will soon be prohibited as it is on private property. See the comments at the bottom of this page

Details

10115
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.09 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 372 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 372 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 567 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 302 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Parking at the intersection of the D993 (Cirey sur Vezouse-Donon) and D96 (St Quirin Donon) (coordinates: UTM E32 356 203 - N 32 5385 141) near the Baronnies shelter.
Cross the road and the Sarre river and take the pavedGR®534trail marked with yellow crosses for 700 m.

(1) Follow the forest road on your left.

(2) After 2.8 km from the start, at the sign for the fairy rock, you can access Turquestein Castle (E7°2'16 N 48°35'10) by taking an unmarked path on the right - access to the ruins is not signposted - distance there and back 800 m, elevation gain 30 m.
After returning to the forest road at the same fork, turn left towards the fairy rock, marked with a yellow cross. Round trip: 600 m, elevation gain: 40 m.
Return to the forest road marked with a yellow cross, to the forest house of Gros Chêne - 1.9 km.

(3) Continue following the red cross and blue diamond signs until you reach the intersection marked "montée sur le Grand Rougimont alt 621 m."

(4) To climb, follow the yellow cross and blue diamond, taking care on the slope, which is > 30%. To descend, take the same path. Once back on the path, do not retrace your steps, but continue to the right on the path marked with a red cross.

(5) Take the path on the left (blue cross) that descends. The path leads to the D993.

(6) If you want to avoid this, take a path on the left 50 m before, for about 600 m, which runs alongside the Sarre Blanche to Kiboki.

(7) Cross the D993. Take the path marked with blue discs, which is a bit steep.

(8) Turn left onto the path marked with red discs. After this, the path is very pleasant.
Continue along this path for 3.5 km until you reach the Baronnies shelter.

(9) Turn left for 50 m and return to the car. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 305 m - Parking on the D993 and D96. Cross the - Sarre (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 312 m - Fork in the road to the left
  3. 2 : km 2.75 - alt. 428 m - Fork in the road at Rocher aux Fées and - Château de Turquestein
  4. 3 : km 4.3 - alt. 413 m - MF du Gros Chêne
  5. 4 : km 7.65 - alt. 550 m - towards Rougimont
  6. 5 : km 7.94 - alt. 567 m - Fork in the road to the left
  7. 6 : km 11.48 - alt. 330 m - Fork in the road to the left
  8. 7 : km 12.14 - alt. 325 m - D993
  9. 8 : km 12.49 - alt. 373 m - On the left
  10. 9 : km 15.96 - alt. 318 m - Baronnies shelter
  11. S/E : km 16.09 - alt. 305 m - Parking on the D993 and D96

Notes

Most of the trails used are maintained and marked by the Club Vosgien, which has 120 sections spread across departments 54-57-67-68-88-90. To support them, please consider joining one of the sections near you.

This is an easy hike, apart from the climb up the Grand Rougimont.
The Baronnies shelter is near the start/finish point.
Water point near the Gros Chêne forest house.

Worth a visit

(2)Ruins of Turquestein Castle: today, there are still some interesting ruins of this castle, which is thought to have been built around 965 on a rocky outcrop in the commune of Turquestein-Blancrupt. The castle was destroyed by Cardinal Richelieu in 1634. Today, in the middle of a beautiful forest, all that remains is a curtain wall, 12 metres high, built of cut stone or bossages, and a relieving arch that defies the passage of time.

The Fairy Rock
La Roche des Fées is located in a remarkable site, not far from Turquestein Castle and the Grand Chemin d'Allemagne. It is a unique rocky promontory with three cavities supported by four sandstone columns. Its platform seems to have been predestined for religious purposes. One can imagine druids officiating here in Celtic times. In this area, the cosmic-telluric balance is harmonious and the life wave reaches +24 on the geodynamic meter. It exudes a regenerative geodynamic magnetism that can be used for revitalisation or healing when walkers stand on the rock cavity.
MF of the big oak tree: on your right is the big oak tree, over 500 years old, which was struck by lightning.

(4)Le Grand Rougimont (altitude 621 m): a very steep climb, with a height difference of almost 100 m over 300 m, but what a moment of happiness after the climb.
Vallée de la Sarre Blanche: parallel to the Vallée de la Sarre Rouge.

(8)Sentier des Bornes: an old path used by monks from Marmoutier Abbey to Saint Quirin Abbey. A very beautiful, shaded path dotted with boundary stones.

(9)Abri des Baronnies: set up by the Saint Quirin Vosges Club, with some information about the sentier des bornes.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Elphinstone
Elphinstone

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This information sheet should be updated as soon as the Club Vosgien suggests a new route.

The section between the starting point and the forest house is now private property and closed by a gate.
Turcquestein Castle is no longer accessible.
The Fairy Rock is also no longer accessible, as both are located within the private grounds.

The rest of the route is very beautiful. It runs through the forest on lovely wide, well-marked paths, lined in places by remarkable rocks. The largest of these, the Grand Rougimont, can even be climbed to enjoy the exceptional view from the top.

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mpncy
mpncy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

When we arrived at the starting point, a gate was being installed to block access to the trail.We were still able to pass through and do the hike, which crosses one or more private properties (there are numerous signs indicating that the forest is private). The people installing the gate told us that the signs along the trail would be removed. It seems that the Vosges hiking club will be marking a new trail.
what a shame, as the hike goes through a beautiful forest and the route is very pleasant, following forest trails.

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8500633301
8500633301

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

it is impossible to go to Turquestein Castle, as the forest road is blocked by a gate just after the Saar bridge. This must be very recent, as the welds on the metal parts that have been added are not yet rusted. As it is private property, the metal parts have been placed in such a way that it is impossible to use them as a foothold in case someone tries to climb over.

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CHRISO.
CHRISO.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A lovely little walk in the sunshine with a cool breeze. One small regret: when arriving at the castle, after the fairy rock, there were no signs, and the same for Thor's Gate nearby. Perhaps the owner doesn't want to attract hikers to these sites. It's understandable when you see the attitude of some people. An IGN map is recommended.

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ericleg57
ericleg57
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful hike culminating at Rougimont, a Triassic outcrop in the Vosges forest comparable to Haut Barr in Saverne, but much wilder. Access is a little difficult as the path is not always clearly marked and the slope is steep, but the view at the top is magnificent.
The ruins of Turquestein Castle also give an idea of the size of this castle, which is also little known.
please note that the restaurant "Kiboki" is no longer a former restaurant as mentioned in the description, but is open and is a pleasant place to stop for refreshments by the river.

a very beautiful hike, well marked, long but overall easy.

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Lhassa57
Lhassa57

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

80% of the hike takes place on forest tracks. That's too much! It gets boring, boring...
Only the boundary stone trail is a real trail.
Otherwise, the castle, the Roche des Fées and the Rougimont are worth a detour.
Picnic at Rougimont. For the 4.5-hour hike, allow 5.5 to 6 hours at a leisurely pace.
The starting point is in the car park at the intersection of the D933 and D196A.
But with your smartphone and the VisoRando app, we'll take you there ;-)

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randomapa54
randomapa54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike in good weather. We extended our trip a little to see Petit Rougimont and Les Trois Pierres, which was definitely worth it. However, we didn't retrace our steps from Les Trois Pierres, but took another path that brought us back to our original route.
We had a picnic at the top of the Grand Rougimont on our own, and it was magnificent despite the fairly strong wind. The view was exceptional.
After that, the rest of the hike seemed less interesting to me. I should have taken note of the advice of other hikers before setting off. They suggested a more interesting way back.
But overall, this hike is a must because the view from the Grand Rougimont is magnificent.
Given what global warming promises for the pine forests in the Vosges in the coming years
i can't imagine what it will all become.

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nine412
nine412

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike...uper..
the only downside was finding the starting point...
Thank you...visorarandonneur...
.

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obaudoux
obaudoux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, well signposted and relatively easy. Several beautiful viewpoints.

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romainyoda
romainyoda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike in peaceful surroundings, with a good mix of shade and sun, and two superb, secluded viewpoints. A good variety of landscapes – perfect!

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Christine Bouché
Christine Bouché

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

There are many forest roads on this route. It's a shame because the fairy rock and Turquestein Castle are worth a visit. Of course, special mention must go to the great Rougimont!

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stehly
stehly

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

In the description, after point 7, -slightly steep climb- turn left to follow the red disc ...... Very good
But a little further on, you need to indicate again that you should turn left down the hill (still following the red disc) to take the path with the markers!!!!!! (very poorly signposted at this point) The direction indicated is "La grande Basse"

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User 227218

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Two detours are missing: the little Rougimont and the Trois Pierres, which would add about 22 km to the total distance. I wasn't able to record these additions because my smartphone ran out of battery.
A beautiful hike in any case.
Best regards.

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Laggy
Laggy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Description and map are accurate. You can also leave your car under the beautiful Saint-Quirin church and walk up to the Haute Chapelle to join the trail. A beautiful hike, although the route is a bit too often on wide, stony forest roads. Allow around 6 hours for the walk, including the two essential detours to the ruins of Turquestein Castle and, above all, to the Roche aux Fées, which is not to be missed. The final climb to the Grand Rougimont is steep (100 metres of elevation gain over 300 metres of trail)

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Julien du Saulnois
Julien du Saulnois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike with no difficulties, except for the climb up to Grand Rougimont.
The almost 360° view is really worth it (Donon and Dabo are visible)
The only downside is that three quarters of the route is on a forest road with a stony path.

As for the description provided by the author of this hike, there's not much to add. Everything is spot on and still relevant, even the ruins of Turquestein Castle are marked on the route.
The hardest part is finding the starting point. When coming from Metairies St Quirin, continue towards the Col du Donon and you will find a small car park with three spaces opposite a pasture, 10 metres after the D993/D193A junction.

Thank you for sharing.

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