Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours in Châtenois

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route partly follows various well-marked and maintained hiking trails.
We walked it after it had rained recently and the streams had burst their banks.
Although the path was wet in places, it was passable as long as you didn't mind getting a little mud on your shoes.
It was a pleasant walk.

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Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route and well marked.
80% on trails or paths...
Varied scenery...
Very nice...

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

The signposts are frequent enough to follow the route with ease. There was just a moment of confusion before reaching the chapel, with several possible paths. It was very muddy... remember to wear suitable footwear. I really liked the scenery 😍. The hunters were at work, so I took advantage of their lunch break to enter the forest with a relaxed mind. A very bright route, ideal in winter with children. There are plenty of places to take a break in a meadow. Nice view of the church of Châtenois on arrival. I recommend getting closer to it, it's worth a look up close even if it was closed. Nothing to drink or eat around on Sunday afternoon, everything was very quiet. Thank you very much for sharing this route.

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Date of your route : Mar 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello, this is a beautiful hike that cannot be ignored, as it is marked by the Club Vosgien, included in the FFRP's topographical guide ref881, and featured in this VR description.
Let's hope that the Club Vosgien does not change its route, as it seems to me that the authors of Visorando would not be notified.
Of course, it is very tempting to follow only the Club Vosgien's markings rather than your GPS or this description. However, I enjoyed myself and the description is excellent, repeating almost word for word the description in the FFRP guide.
But let's get back to this very pleasant hike, which we did in grey weather but without rain, which was ideal because it could have been very hot in strong sunshine. The beautiful views are well worth the detour.
For your information: we came across a large fallen tree blocking the path and difficult to get past between points 3 and 4, still under the cover of the forest.

We were disappointed by the Bonsecours chapel, which was closed without any explanation and didn't even have a bench to rest on. In addition, the signage is a little too plentiful in this area, which can lead to mistakes, so it is useful to check your GPS. But let us remind you that if the signage is followed by hikers, it cannot be attributed to Visorando, which has no control over it.
I agree with BIBI in his note of 27/06, concerning the resumption of the route from the chapel via the path almost opposite the entrance. A little further down, you still need to be vigilant and take the signposting furthest to the left.

Thank you for suggesting this route on Visorando.

Just a note: the word CERCLE (circle) is not used in FFRP markings; it is either a RING (empty circle) or a DISC (filled circle). If you were to encounter these two markings in the same place, the word Cercle would cause confusion.

Happy hiking to everyone! Spring is on its way and the weather will be lovely on the trails.
Fanfan

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Date of your route : Mar 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk between plains and mountains, partly through forest with magnificent scenery
Well marked (red circles)

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Hello,

@dede-70

Thank you for all this information.

Kind regards

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Hello,

I had just taken a screenshot from Géoportail to better visualise the situation, but I have just realised that I cannot embed images in comments.

I'll try to explain as best I can. I got "lost" the second time after the chapel. The woods are not maintained and the trails are a bit messy. It's not a big deal, as the undergrowth is very sparse and it's easy to cut through to find another path.

My biggest mistake was between points 7 and 8. But to be fair, I had pushed myself to the limit on the climb before point 7, so I wasn't really seeing straight anymore. At point 7, there is a straight line heading due south. Then, at an intersection, you have to turn left, heading almost due east for a few metres. When you enter the woods, you have to turn right to head "southeast". This is a bit problematic... there are three possible paths separated by angles of up to 20°, and the only mark I can find is on a tree trunk on the right-hand path, when you actually need to take the middle one. These are the most critical points.

I hope this is clear.

Best regards

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Hello,

I managed to take the wrong route twice!

Could you please tell me where you went wrong both times? (between which points and which points)

Thank you

Kind regards

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Date of your route : Sep 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I attempted this route on a mountain bike. I'm not exactly a mountain biking expert; I'm just starting out.

The difficulty is intense in terms of the elevation gain. Around 200 metres isn't huge, but 90% of that elevation gain is concentrated over two short distances. The result is that it's really tough going.

The ride is interesting and the trail through the woods is great.

However, the signage and directional arrows are a big downside... They're practically non-existent. Quite simply, I use a GARMIN EDGE520 GPS with my mountain bike, and even with that and the downloaded route, I still managed to take the wrong path twice! In itself, this isn't a big deal given the route, as it's easy to find your way back, but this issue, which has already been pointed out by other hikers, is still a problem!

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Thank you for this feedback on the hike. Does the path to take after the chapel start opposite the chapel when you leave it (opposite the entrance)? If so, it would be good to specify this. I look forward to hearing back from those who have done this hike.
Kind regards

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Date of your route : Jun 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello
I don't want to mention the signposting, but it's a significant contribution as far as I'm concerned. Until now, I've been hiking in my area based on the Vosges club's maps. In the Chatenois area, which I discovered this Sunday, I found the terrain to be much hillier than on the east side of Monthreux Darney.My only criticism of the Notre Dame du Bon Secours hike is that there is too much tarmac for my liking. Your information sheet is well done overall, but there is one downside. When I arrived at the chapel after a lunch break, I wanted to continue along the path as indicated, but I couldn't find it. The lack of signposting confused me to the point that I turned back.I arrived safely on the 27, but I'm not sure. I may have asked for directions in the village of Courcelle-sous-Châtenois. I found the path coming from the chapel and arrived at point Y. After that, everything was fine. I'm going to the tourist office in Neufchâteau to get maps of the Châtenois area because I want to explore this region, which looks very pleasant.I've done other hikes in my area that were quite nice, which I'd like to share with you with some photos. I only hike with a camera; you have to let yourself be inspired by the environment. The landscape is completely different from what I knew when I was in the capital of Gaul. Thank you and well done for your website. I hope to continue chatting with you. Best regards and happy hiking to all!

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Date of your route : Apr 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

jhg

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Thank you, pascalou88500, but the markup is not up to us.

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Date of your route : Mar 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Review the signposting from the Notre Dame de Bon Secours chapel through the woods to the D27!

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