Lake Maix, the David Garden and the Haute-Côte

Park in the car park at Vexaincourt town hall.

(S/E) Opposite the town hall, head left and turn right onto Rue du Lac de la Maix.

Yellow Disc markings

(1) Head up the path on the left, towards “Lac de la Maix Fontaine Lorrain”, passing the Maison Forestière de la Maix on the left. Once you reach the forest, continue along this forest path, passing the hamlet of Pré Jacques. Carry on until you reach the nearby forest road. Follow it to the right for about 50 m.

(2) Take the forest path climbing up to the left, signposted "Fontaine Lorrain Lac de la Maix". The forest path climbs gradually through the shade of the fir trees, lined with rocks and blueberry bushes.
It crosses two forest tracks, including the Colas track. Continue a few metres to the left along the latter and turn right towards the “Fontaine Colas Lorrain”.

(3) To reach the archaeological remains, climb the narrow path marked with a Red Triangle opposite the fountain and follow the signpost for “Roches à cupules 200 m”.
After about a hundred metres, at a small fork, take the small path on the right and walk around the site (an ancient Celtic healing site featuring cup marks, basins and seats).

(4) Retrace your steps.

(3) Head down the forest path on the left signposted “Lac de la Maix”, which joins the Route Forestière du Colas Lorrain. Follow this road to the right to reach the path leading to the lake.

(5) Take this path to the left and reach the shore of the small Lac de la Maix (you can walk around it).
Retrace your steps, then take the small path signposted “Chapelle”, which leads to the rear of the little Chapel of La Maix and its medieval ruins. Pass in front of the Roche du Banc de la Vierge and the stele.

Blue Diamond markings

(6) At the stele, take the path to the left. Follow the sign for “Sentier du Haut du Bon Dieu Jardin David”. This narrow path, paved with sandstone, winds its way up to the Colas Lorrain forest road.

(7) Turn left onto it and reach the multi-directional junction at Haut du Bon Dieu. Follow the forest road to the right at the Oratoire du Haut du Bon Dieu and, after 30 m, turn right at the “Oratoire” signpost onto the small path leading there. You will soon reach the small junction where two paths meet.

(8) Head straight up the path leading to the rock offering a view of Lac de la Maix (narrow and technical section – take care). Partial view of the small lake, then retrace your steps.

Yellow Triangle signpost

(8) At the junction, take the second path on the right. This easy path follows the Route Forestière des Bannes (Blue Diamond) and leads to the Roches des Auges, archaeological remains, then reaches a shelter (with picnic tables and benches).

(9) Return to the Route Forestière des Bannes.

Blue Diamond markings

Follow this forest road to the right until you reach the large crossroads at a place called "Jardin de David".

(10) Take the Route Forestière de la Haute-Côte opposite, heading towards "Dolmen à bassin de Haute-Côte", and reach the fork in the two forest roads.

(11) Follow the left-hand track for 50 m and take the path on the right towards “Vestiges 1914-1918 Dolmen à 200 m”. Follow the path uphill for 100 m, then take the path on the right towards “Vestiges de Haute-Côte”.
After about 150 m, take the path on the right which climbs up to the “Vestiges 14-18 et dolmen”.
Walk the circular route around the dolmen with its basin, the tabular stones and the front-line fortifications. Descend via the small path marked “Belle table” (a huge flat stone) and return to the junction of the two forest tracks.

Blue Ring markings

(11) Take the Route Forestière des Marcassins on the left. Continue along the forest road (do not take the path also marked with a Blue Ring on the right at the start of the bend) and reach a tighter bend turning to the left.
On the right-hand side is a rock (marker 97) bearing the Club Vosgien symbols, which can also be seen set back on a tree: this marks the start of the path for the descent to Vexaincourt.

Red Ring markings

Note: take great care on this descent, which features several technical sections and numerous spring water streams. Avoid during wet weather.

(12) Right from the start, the narrow path known as “l’infernale” proves tricky; it winds through a jumble of rocks towards Vexaincourt via Courrieux des Perches, reaching the Route Forestière des Auges after a hairpin bend to the left.

(13) Continue to the left, walk for about 150 m along this relatively flat section of the forest road, then take the path that descends to the right. The narrow path winds through a jumble of rocks and is crossed and flooded in places by numerous springs.
Pass through the hamlet of "Courrieux des Perches Les Sources" and continue until you reach a small fork in the path.

(14) Follow “Vexaincourt via the Maison Forestière de la Maix”: turn right (no signposting), descend to the forest road (Yellow Saltire) via a steep ravine (approx. 250 m) – a challenging shortcut! See option in Practical Information.

Yellow Saltire

(15) Continue left along the forest road, passing close to the Maison Forestière de la Maix.

(1) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to reach the town hall car park (S/E).

There is shelter available in the Maix chapel and under the shelter (9).

The route is quite technical in several places and can be dangerous in wet weather, particularly in the areas: (7) and (8), and especially between (12) and (15).
It is strongly recommended that you wear good walking boots.

It must be said that we undertook this hike just two days after the area had been drenched by heavy rain, which followed on from previous downpours!

(14) Option: follow “Vexaincourt via La Malgrange” by continuing straight on and then turning right after about 600 m, which takes you to La Malgrange and allows you to reach Vexaincourt town hall directly.

The various archaeological sites, consisting mainly of cup-marked stones.

The chapel and Lake Maix.