Mysteries and witchcraft in Noroy-le-Bourg

If, like me, you enjoy recharging your batteries in peaceful spots whilst discovering various mysterious places, this route is perfect for you.

Details

34043288
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.09 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 410 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 433 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,467 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,027 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park at the educational centre on the outskirts of Noroy-le-Bourg, heading towards Cerre-les-Noroy.

(S/E) Opposite the centre, turn left towards the D26 and, just before it, take the grassy path on the right which climbs through the woods for a short while before emerging.

(1) Enter the meadow (please respect the opening and closing systems for the pastures at all times).
Walk uphill for about 100 m, then turn left at a 90° angle and follow the narrow path, which offers a lovely view. Enter the woods again, continuing along this narrow path. On either side, you’ll see several animal sculptures. Pass close to a heritage orchard and arrive at the Croix de Champfleurey.

(2) Then descend slightly to reach a path. Follow it to the left for about 500 m. At the next junction, continue to the left and stay on this wooded path.

(3) Walk past the Croix Bauguet (or Croix Boguet). Continue along the path until you reach the Boban farm.

(4) Shortly after this, take thefirst path on the left to leave this wide track; follow it for about 150 m until you come out onto another wide track. Turn left onto this track, which is very stony in places (wear sturdy footwear – the track is quite uneven due to tree felling and logging operations). After about 1.5 km, you will reach the D26.

(5) Turn left and follow it carefully to reach the village of Cerre-les-Noroy.
Walk through the village, staying on the main road, and admire the beautiful houses, lovely gardens, the restored fountain, the statue of the Virgin Mary and the church.

(6) On leaving the village, turn left onto the path that climbs and follow it for about 500 m. You will come out onto the D26 again and, after 200 m, return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,204 ft - Noroy Educational Centre car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.46 - alt. 1,388 ft - Entrance to the pasture
  3. 2 : mi 1.15 - alt. 1,463 ft - Champfleurey Cross
  4. 3 : mi 1.77 - alt. 1,391 ft - Croix Bauguet
  5. 4 : mi 2.69 - alt. 1,352 ft - Boban Farm
  6. 5 : mi 3.89 - alt. 1,027 ft - D26, turn left
  7. 6 : mi 4.6 - alt. 1,109 ft - Cerre-les-Noroy Village Walk
  8. S/E : mi 5.09 - alt. 1,204 ft - Noroy Educational Centre car park

Notes

Make sure you wear sturdy trainers or walking boots as the section through the woods before Cerre les Noroy is very stony.

Worth a visit

On thefirst section, look out for small signs featuring animals; they mark out a short 3 km route.

The Croix Boguet is by no means an enchanted place where one might encounter fairies and other legendary creatures to tell the children about. One might also say that its history is linked to a beautiful legend, a local tradition or a moving religious tale, but that is not the case either. The cross stands in a valley once known as the Devil’s Valley. That sets the scene straight away. This cross therefore marks the site of a place where sabbats were held. The devil was invoked in this valley. In the area around Noroy, there were many wizards and witches who came here and spent the whole night worshipping the angel of destruction.

Boban Farm: All that remains are the foundations of this very old farm. In 1636, villagers fleeing the war (Lorraine and French troops) took refuge in this forest. They cleared the land for farming (up to 1,500 hectares) and a little livestock farming.

Find out more: https://www.lunetoile.com/2019/10/06/sor...

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Vivic
Vivic

Overall rating : 3 / 5

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

We tried doing this hike using the PDF, without a phone, but the route isn’t well signposted and is easy to confuse with others… in short, we ended up walking 6 km further than planned and arrived after dark
What’s more, finishing up on the road is a complete waste of time.
Anyway, I won’t be doing it again.

Machine-translated

Tjb
Tjb

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It’s a shame to have to finish the walk with at least 2 km of road.

Machine-translated

Pilgrim Snow
Pilgrim Snow
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Actually, this route is marked by rabbits at the start and Red Circles further on; once you’ve got the hang of that, it’s easier to follow than the route description on this website. A lovely, easy walk with magnificent views – I’d really recommend it.

Machine-translated

theacroquer
theacroquer

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first (easy) climb up the Champfleurey leads to a magnificent panorama, with the Vosges on one side and the Jura on the other.
The blue rabbit trail is pleasant and the signposting is clear.
One downside, however: there is a lack of magic and mystery in this forest where 1,500 people fell victim to Boguet.

Machine-translated

doumeg
doumeg

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The paths are lovely, and the Boban farm is a real gem.
In the very stony section of the path, the logging operations in the woods crossed by the trail are nothing short of a massacre.
This section, used by heavy forestry machinery, presents a pitiful sight of the forest.
The Boban farm and its immediate surroundings had been well maintained in the past.
The site, which is a valuable part of our heritage, is not being looked after, and the vegetation is taking over (brambles, nettles).

Machine-translated

Manu70110
Manu70110

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Hello,
A pleasant walk, passing through a field of cows in glorious sunshine. There are also some cool spots in the forest.
However, if you don’t have the actual route map, you can easily stray from the path!!! Don’t hesitate to check your position regularly so you don’t get lost!!!
Similarly, Bolons Farm and the Boguet Cross could do with being more clearly marked so you don’t walk straight past them!!!!
It’s a shame that the picnic table near Bolons Farm is no longer in good condition for a mid-route picnic break!!!
We confirm the need for a good pair of shoes.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.