Le Rouge Gazon via Sapin Saint-Antoine and Cuisine du Diable

Get to Bussang via the RN66 from Wesserling/Urbès on the Alsace side, or from Le Thillot/St Maurice on the Vosges side. Follow the signs for "Source de la Moselle". Park in the car park at the source on Route des Sources D89.

(S/E) Walk up the Route des Sources to the RN66. Cross it (carefully), turn left and follow the verge towards the Col de Bussang for about 100 m to reach the foot of a retaining wall.

(1) Climb up to the right to take the Blue Rectangle marked trail (^GR®531) towards "Rouge Gazon, Chaumes des Neufs Bois". The trail climbs steeply above the road. Some tricky sections are secured. Cross a forest track and climb up opposite. There are already some beautiful views over Urbes. You will come out onto a good path that leads to a beautiful forest road.

(2) Turn right onto this road, still following the Blue Rectangle markings for "Rouge Gazon - Chaume des Neufs Bois". The slope is gentle and steady. A little further on, in a wide left-hand bend, leave the path on the right that leads to the Col des Allemands (Red Triangle) and continue along the forest road. On the right, a small waterfall feeds a small wooden trough in a unique way. A little further on, on the left, is the beautiful Chalet Saint-Hubert.
Return to the forest road, leaving the path on your left that descends to Urbes via Bruchebach, and arrive at the end of the forest road and a turning area.

(3) Take the narrow path on the right with tight hairpin bends that climbs steeply for almost two kilometres through a beech forest, still marked with blue rectangles. Once again, there are views of the opposite slope. Pass under a large rock with a menhir at its foot. You will arrive at a slight incline and see the beginning of the Chaumes de Neufs Bois.

(4) Take the path marked with a red triangle on the left (do not continue on the^GR®531). The winding descent is steep and should be avoided in bad weather. It leads to a small clearing at the Sapin Saint-Antoine oratory.

(5) The slope levels out, continue along the path for about 300 metres.

(6) Follow the blue disc signposting to the right for "Rouge Gazon via the Cuisine du Diable". A steep climb ahead with tight zigzags and a few tricky sections, including crossing a striking rock fault. You will arrive at the Cuisine du Diable (on the right, a gigantic scree slope of large rocks, the remains of moraines deposited by glaciers).

(7) Make a tough climb on a narrow, slippery, very steep and winding path. You will come out at the top of the vast clearing of Tête de Rouge Gazon.

(8) Continue along the path, which now descends gently towards the Auberge de Rouge Gazon. On the left, a few dozen metres away, a small pedestal offers a panoramic view of the Vosges mountains on one side and the Rouge Gazon and Ballons d'Alsace and Servance mountains on the other. Descend (still following the blue disc) and arrive at the inn (where you can eat or enjoy the picnic room).

(9) Take the access road. Then, instead of taking the tarmac road, continue straight ahead, following the blue rectangle markings of^{the GR®531}. When you reach the first clearing, ignore the path that branches off to the left and climb to the top of the meadow. Enter the woods. The path runs alongside a pond below, protected by nets, and leads to Chaumes de Neufs Bois at a crossroads (elevation 1044).

(10) Leave the^GR®531but do not follow the various marked paths. Choose the path that crosses the fence and has no markings but is in fact the^GR®5f. Climb up and pass in front of the old marcairerie with its collapsed roof. Continue along the path that leaves the pasture and enters a beautiful forest of young beech trees. Follow the path known as "des Crêtes" (the ridges), marked with red and white signs for^{the GR®5f}. The climb is gentle and continues for about 1 km until you reach a crossroads.

(11) Don't miss the path that climbs to the right towards Bussang via the Kiosque du Sotré (red rectangle with white stripe, a variant of^{the GR®5}). Arrive at the Kiosque du Sotré (a hexagonal wooden structure with a charming interior; viewpoint over Bussang and its viaduct).

(12). Continue along the path, which leads to a forest road.

(13) Cross this road towards Bussang via Sechenat. At the next road, turn right until you reach a barrier.

(14) Then turn left and immediately right. Pass above the Chalet de Sechenat (owned by the Club Vosgien) by taking the Chemin des Ormes, marked with a blue and white rectangle, downhill. Further on, leave the Chemin des Ormes, which branches off to the right, and continue to the Col de Bussang.

(15) When you reach the RN66, go up about 50 metres to the right before turning left and going back down to the car park (S/E).

You can make this hike much easier by going directly from (4) to (10). This is strongly recommended in winter. The route loses some of its interest, but you avoid the difficult climb up Tête de Rouge Gazon (the route is 4 km shorter and the elevation gain is reduced to 575 m).

Refreshments are available at the Auberge de Rouge Gazon.

Understanding the Club Vosgien trail markings.

Chalet Saint-Hubert. Recently rebuilt following a fire, this chalet is very clean, very welcoming and open to all. With a terrace overlooking the valley, it is an ideal place for a short break.

Sapin de Saint-Antoine. A large fir tree on the edge of a small square equipped with benches and a fountain. An oratory dedicated to Saint Anthony has been installed there. The date 1928 does not specify whether it is the date the fir tree was planted or the date the oratory was installed.

Cuisine du Diable. A small cavity that is either a simple shelter or the beginning of a mine tunnel.

Kiosque du Sotré. A beautiful hexagonal wooden shelter with a central table and benches around the edge - ideal for a break - view of Bussang and its viaduct - (The Sotré is a Lorraine elf most often found in the Vosges mountains. He can be kind, cheerful and helpful. But he is very sensitive and can quickly become angry and cheeky. He is capable of both the best and the worst. This is a warning if you happen to meet him on your way. Bearded, dressed in a cape and a red cap, he is easily recognisable.

Séchenat Chalet. Private property of the Club Vosgien - Closed to passing hikers.