28/05/2024: Hiking not possible at present: Sentier du saut de la bourrique closed from (1) to (2) by municipal by-law since 15 March 2024 for works. See practical information
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The starting point is not far from the Lac de Gérardmer water sports centre, Chemin du Tour du Lac, Faubourg de Ramberchamp D69.
There is a safe car park just a few metres after the Roche du Lac. Not far from this car park is the Ramberchamp campsite and the L'Echo du Lac hotel.
(S/E) Once you have parked, take the departmental road Chemin de Sapois, which passes just in front of the L'Écho du Lac hotel, for around 1km. It also passes through the hamlet known as la Goutte du Chat. After the last houses in the hamlet, take a path on your left signposted "Saut de la Bourrique" 25min.
(1) Pass a wood storage shed on your right (it also provides shelter in bad weather when empty), then the first small bridge. Then, immediately on your right, a signposted path runs alongside the Ruisseau du Phény.
When you reach the motocross track, the path enters the woods again, signposted with a red disc, and there is a nice little climb dotted with roots.
Descend along the Phény, where the route climbs back up, following the stream gently towards "le Saut de la Bourrique" over small stone bridges and wooden footbridges.
(2) Here it is at last, the Saut de la Bourrique waterfall. A footbridge and wooden staircase allow you to get up high and take photos, and also to continue your walk back up the Chemin de Sapois. On the Chemin de Sapois, walk 20 metres and take the path on your right through the broadleaf trees, which climbs slightly. Cross a road and continue as far as the hairpin junction on your right 30m further up (be careful, it's not easy to see).
If the road is clear, walk along a park on your left with a donkey. Continue uphill, passing through a wooden gate and catching a glimpse of the Vosges valley. Head for La Blanche Hutte on the asphalt Chemin du Badon, dotted with a few chalets and houses. Continue along this path as far as the junction signposted Tour de Mérelle.
(3) Cross the road and go straight ahead.
(4) 300m further on, there is another intersection: on the left, Cascade du Mérelle and on the right, Observatoire du Mérelle. Turn right, and after 600m and a short, stony climb, you'll reach the Tête de Mérelle.
(5) Once you have completed your walk to the observatory, turn back towards the intersection leading to the Cascade de Mérelle.
(4) Take the path on the right towards the Cascade de Mérelle. Walk past a small pond on the left, and 200m further on, take the rocky path furthest to the right down towards the Cascade de Mérelle.
(6) Continue along the Mérelle stream, crossing three wooden footbridges and taking the very rocky descent out of the forest (be careful, it's very slippery on the stones).
Leave the woods via a slippery footbridge over the D69, opposite the restaurant.
(7) Turn right towards the restaurant and take a small rocky path on the right alongside the lake to reach the car park (S/E).
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