The Balveurche stubble fields

A lovely hike with no particular difficulties, suitable for both summer and winter snowshoeing in a forest setting. In winter, you can warm up and enjoy a meal at the Chaumes de Balveurche inn.

Details

n°20388

Creation:
26 Feb 2013

Last update:
10 Oct 2026

Last review:
10 Oct 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.90 mi
Average duration: 5h 05
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,112 ft
Descent: - 1,106 ft
Highest point: 3,527 ft
Lowest point: 2,448 ft

Country: France
Area: Vosges mountains
City: Xonrupt-Longemer (88400)
Start/End: N 48.083094° / E 6.947152°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3618OT, 3618OTR
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Description of the walk

The route starts on the outskirts of Xonrupt-Longemer, after the bend, at a place called Les Charbonnières (elevation 748).

(S/E) Head uphill along the marked path (Blue Circles), crossing a first forest track. Continue uphill to elevation 903 on a second forest track.

(1) Turn left (Blue Cross), then turn right onto the Chemin Stratégique forest track (Red Triangles) as far as the Loge de la Cloche (elevation 949). Continue on to the Auberge de Balveurche.

(2) The return journey follows the signposted path (Blue Triangles), which you take on the left just before reaching the inn. Follow this forest track (Chemin de Balveurche) to the Carrefour Irénée Duvoid (elevation 919).

(3) Turn left onto the Chemin de la Casuette and follow it to the Belbriette stream (Red Crosses).

(4) Follow the stream downhill towards Les Charbonnières to return to the starting point at Xonrupt-Longemer (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,454 ft - Car park at the hamlet of Les Charbonnières
1 : mi 0.87 - alt. 2,874 ft - On the left
2 : mi 3.74 - alt. 3,517 ft - Auberge de Balveurche
3 : mi 6.64 - alt. 3,035 ft - Irénée Duvoid crossroads
4 : mi 7.41 - alt. 2,667 ft - Near the - Étang de Belbriette
S/E : mi 8.9 - alt. 2,454 ft - Car park at the hamlet of Les Charbonnières

Notes

See the Irénée Duvoid monument before the Col des Charbonniers.

Worth a visit

Off the route:

Why is it called the Col des Harengs Marinés?:
In fact, the explanation provided by the Gérardmer-Xonrupt Tourist Office is quite simple: the Col des Harengs Marinés was a spot where foresters would meet for a snack to eat pickled herrings, hence the name given to it.

From the Col de Blockloch, you can take the signposted path (Yellow Circles) on the right to reach the ‘La Roche du Diable’ viewpoint.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5

Based on 36 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
3.9 / 5

POULIN Gérard

10 Oct 2026 at 04:59

Hello User 30957839,
Thank you for clarifying this; the description has been amended accordingly.

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User 30957839

09 Oct 2026 at 23:45 • Edited: 09 Oct 2026 at 23:46

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The starting point was difficult to find! The hamlet known as ‘Les Charbonnières’ isn’t signposted on the ground and the colour of the markings is wrong. So, by mistake, we set off along the Ingold path. The Col de Malakoff is on the Ingold path, not the Stratégique path. Whatever you do, don’t turn into the new housing estate towards the end of the route, as it’s a dead end and the climb is gruelling after 15 km! It’s better to carry on along the road or take the small path on the left a little further on. The return route from Balveurche is very monotonous. In the ‘Places to see’ section, there’s mention of the Col de Blockloch – is this the Col de Malakoff?

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User 21419257

11 Aug 2025 at 15:59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I loved this tour 🥰
Very easy to access as indicated, I even did it again on a mountain bike the next day. I enjoyed it and would recommend it

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lorene88

27 Aug 2024 at 18:03

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

No viewpoints, no trails, just the road and forest tracks. No technical difficulties, so this walk is suitable for children.

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Simon M.

27 May 2024 at 22:10

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this varied route.

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Prolephilou

01 Jan 2024 at 13:55

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was very well marked, although the colour of the circuit can sometimes be difficult to determine.

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Leo67000

02 Oct 2023 at 13:59

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

apart from a typical GPS issue with Garmin hiking devices when importing a route, the bench at Place des Loges not being marked, and the dead end in the residential area, which means you have to go back to get around it when you've already walked 15 km (it would be good to fix this), it's a walk rather than a hike.

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Arimo

04 Jul 2023 at 10:11

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Apart from Chaume de Balveurche, there are no viewpoints. The tables at the Col des Trois Places and the Irénée Dubois crossroads could have been signposted. The descent from the Irénée crossroads to point 4 near the Belbriette pond is very poorly signposted. After leaving the Broches forest road, the signposted path disappears among the houses. It would be easier to continue along the small road to return to the starting point.
Overall, a somewhat disappointing hiking trail.

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jeanmi54

05 Jun 2023 at 10:39

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A LITTLE DIFFICULT AT FIRST, 30 MINUTES... BUT THEN SUPER COOL

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Nab !

01 Jan 2023 at 20:18 • Edited: 01 Jan 2023 at 20:19

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Very disappointing, apart from the Balveurche stubble field and the beautiful rock, there were no views and no open spaces, just forest as far as the eye could see. There was a forest road but no footpaths.

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sylvainchretien

21 Mar 2022 at 18:40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, discovering majestic stubble fields!!!

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Cube 5

08 Nov 2021 at 10:11

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

The abbreviations in the description: none of the colours match.
I managed to figure it out with the map...

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JPV67

27 Jul 2020 at 10:59

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very interesting walk. Minor issues: difficulty finding parking and the starting point, and the end was hard to find due to fencing. Too many people at the Balveurche hotel restaurant; there is a picnic area further along the forest road. No particular difficulties unless it starts raining heavily, as it did at the end of the walk on 26 July..

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Mick88

21 Jul 2020 at 18:38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike presents no difficulty.
Start on Route des Berleux, turning left just before the D417/D67 junction
At the end of the route, do not take Rue du Lotissement des Broches, which is a dead end, but continue along Rue Montée des Broches for a few metres and take the small path on the left.

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irma70

23 Sep 2019 at 13:16

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

nice hike in the forest but lacking in views.
I think some additional information is needed in the description:
at point (1), the cross is not blue but green. It should also be specified that the strategic path is about 800 m further down. There is a first path closer by that also goes up to Balveurche, which could be misleading.
at point (2), the triangle is not blue but green.
at the start, it would be good to point out that the car park is simply located at the edge of the lake, as this makes it easier to find.

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