The Roche des Ducs tour

A pleasant short hike passing by Roche des Ducs (855 m), with beautiful views of the Rochesson valley. Return via the other side, towards Menaurupt.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 303 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 309 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 852 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 615 m

Photos

Description of the walk

To reach the starting point from Rochesson, take a small road above the cemetery (C1 Menaurupt 3 km). Drive about 2.5 km along this small road, and as soon as it descends slightly to the left, take the small road on the right and park.

(S/E) Take the small road towards Rochesson (where you arrived) for about 100 m.

(1) Take the track on the left that goes uphill.

(2) When you reach the plateau, take the path on the left: signposted "Ruche des Ducs", marked with a red disc.

(3) Turn diagonally left to reach the small cave called "Trou du Beheu", which is about a hundred metres away. Retrace your steps.

(3) Turn left onto the path that climbs uphill, marked with a red disc.

(4) Stop briefly at the viewpoint to admire the valley and continue to the next junction.

(5) Continue straight ahead, following the red disc markings. Follow these markings to the summit of Roche des Ducs.
Some sections are a little tricky but are secured by handrails.

(6) Passage at the summit where you can stop to admire the valley. Continue along the path, still following the markings. At the first fork, keep left and do the same at the next one.

(7) Leave the path on the right and the red disc markings and take the path that descends to the left, marked with a green ring.
Stay on this path until you reach your vehicle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 628 m - Crossroads GPS coordinates: 48.030533, 6.791353
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 619 m - Carriageway on the left
  3. 2 : km 0.67 - alt. 659 m - Plateau de la Maison des Gardes.
  4. 3 : km 0.8 - alt. 680 m - Trou du Beheu junction
  5. 4 : km 1.09 - alt. 705 m - Viewpoint
  6. 5 : km 1.37 - alt. 711 m - At the crossroads, go straight ahead.
  7. 6 : km 2.2 - alt. 845 m - Summit of the - Roche des Ducs (855m)
  8. 7 : km 4.15 - alt. 812 m - Crossroads, on the left
  9. S/E : km 6.95 - alt. 621 m - Crossroads GPS coordinates: 48.030533, 6.791353

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
marine.m30
marine.m30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk on the first part, with some technical sections at times (especially in wet weather). The end of the route is on a wide forest track.
Be careful at the last intersection before the 7, take the left path that goes uphill (you leave the red disc markings). At the crossroads, there are no green rings in sight..
If you follow the trail on the app, there's no problem.

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jeanmi54
jeanmi54

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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Géraud Nimo
Géraud Nimo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable hike. It's best to do it in the right direction as the climb has some interesting technical sections. The viewpoint at Rocher des Ducs offers a wonderful reward with a magnificent panorama. The descent is quite pleasant and easy. We had a great time on this hike.

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audelozere
audelozere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start is quite steep but well worth the effort! The time indicated corresponds exactly to the actual time.

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Jean-Pierre
Jean-Pierre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Super interesting but impossible for children under 10 to follow!
The climb up to Roche des Ducs is exciting but challenging because it is very steep. You are rewarded when you reach Roche des Ducs. Magnificent view!

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Brichton
Brichton

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Some information about the latest junctions (and therefore route choices) would be useful.
For example, do not follow the direction of the Sapois pass at the penultimate junction.
Forestry work has created tracks and made it difficult to identify previous junctions.
Otherwise, no complaints.

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Le marcheur blanc
Le marcheur blanc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, shaded walk in the cool shade despite the hot weather.

Be careful, as some sections are technical and secured by a lifeline.

The only downside is that the last section of the return journey is on a tarmac road.

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Dooky
Dooky

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The starting point was poorly marked, and we had trouble finding it.
A very interesting hike along the route through the forest and up to Roche des Ducs, with a beautiful view of the valley in good weather. The route is well marked once you are there.
Recommended hike.

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michel_fontaine
michel_fontaine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route through the Vosges forest.
From Ramberchamp (campsite on the southern shore of Lake Gérardmer), you can reach the starting point via the Col de Sapois and Menaurupt, where you head towards Rochesson; after 800 metres, turn left onto the "Chemin du Treix" and park.
The most interesting part of the route is between points 1 and 7; the return via a forest road seems rather monotonous.
Access to the Roche des Ducs between points 4 and 6 is a pleasure for walkers accustomed to mountain trails, and the few tricky sections are well secured.
There are some beautiful views over the Rochesson valley, especially in good weather!

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Frantz57
Frantz57

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Access to the Rochers des Ducs is difficult and even dangerous. A sign warning of "dangerous access" alerts hikers. So describing this hike as a "nice little walk" seems very exaggerated to me. Be careful with young children.
The description of the starting point seems rather vague to me, making it difficult to find the starting point for this hike.

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INDYJOHN
INDYJOHN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with two slightly tricky sections where cables are provided for support. On wet ground, be careful of slippery tree roots.
At the top of Roche des Ducs, there is a beautiful view of Rochesson and the valley.

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