Les Faignes Noires

This short hike allows you to discover three ponds and the beautiful Vosges forest, not far from Val d'Ajol, in just a few kilometres. A very varied walk, even if it is short.

Details

26853009
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 75 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 75 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 657 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 592 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the car park at Étang du Villerain, not far from La Vigotte.

(S/E) Walk to the pond and follow it, then continue along the path marked with blue circles.

(1) This leads to an old farmhouse at a place called "Les Faignes Noires". Leave this path a little further on by taking a path on the left that climbs slightly, first through the woods and then across a meadow. You will reach point 1 in front of the Moulin Picard lodge.

(2) Continue along the road that climbs towards the woods and soon turns into a path. It passes in front of the Étang de la Mollière pond.

(3) After the pond, at a crossroads, take the path on the left that descends to the Plain pré stream. The path then climbs again to join a forest path (chemin du Plain pré).

(4) Take this path on the left, then immediately take the path that branches off to the right and climbs through the woods. This joins a marked path (blue circles) at a crossroads, which you should follow in the same direction. The markings lead to one of the Étangs de la Vigotte ponds.

(5) From this pond, take the path on the left that joins a small road. Follow it to the car park at the starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 616 m - Etang du Villerain
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 595 m - Les Faignes Noires
  3. 2 : km 1.28 - alt. 629 m - Le Moulin Picard
  4. 3 : km 1.97 - alt. 643 m - Junction - Etang de la Molière
  5. 4 : km 2.59 - alt. 607 m - Chemin forestier du Plain Pré
  6. 5 : km 3.34 - alt. 633 m - Vigotte ponds
  7. S/E : km 4 - alt. 616 m - Villerain car park

Notes

It is also possible to start from the centre of Girmont Val d'Ajol, leaving your car in the car park next to the church. In this case, walk along the Moulin Picard road and start the hike from point (2). This adds an extra 3 km to the route.
There are places to eat in Girmont Val d'Ajol, as well as an organic baker who also sells Munster cheese and other organic products.

Worth a visit

Note the numerous ponds and their magical reflections of the surrounding forest.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Simi88
Simi88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is very well suited to people who are not very athletic, like us. It's a shame we did it in the fog, but it was still beautiful with the autumn colours. We'll do it again when the weather is nice.

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HERBEVERTE
HERBEVERTE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A 4 km hike, not difficult, maybe a little bit, but a nice hike and the weather was good too.

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rico70
rico70

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello hikers, this route is poorly marked halfway through, and you don't know where to go. The blue circle does not only apply to this hike, so we ended up walking an extra 3 kilometres back.

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CaGo
CaGo

Hello,

I apologise for the inconvenience caused by this hike.
I didn't realise the consequences this could have.
I will contact those responsible directly to change the departure time for this hike.

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smanens
smanens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
The Moulin Picard car park is private and reserved for lodges and owners. The large number of vehicles belonging to hikers has recently been causing problems for delivery lorries serving the local business. Please change your starting point as soon as possible. Kind regards, Sandrine Manens

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