Tour of the Riervescemont Valley

Head to Giromagny. In the town centre, take the D14 towards Riervescemont. After the hamlet of La Planche-le-Prêtre, park your car in the large car park situated along the stream beneath the ruins of Rosemont Castle

(S/E) Opposite the car park, cross the road and take the path that starts at the foot of the votive beech tree dedicated to the Virgin Mary – the spot where the White Lady is said to appear every 101 years – following the Yellow Disc markings towards^{the GR®5}. Cross the forest track, continue climbing gently, then turn left to come out onto a tarmac road leading to the hamlet of ‘La Planche le Prêtre’ via Rue de la Fontaine du Cerf and then Rue de la Source. Turn right, then immediately left onto Rue de l’École.

When you reach the latter, turn right. Follow the path until you come out onto a tarmac road, which you should follow to the right (still following the Yellow Disc markings). At the end of this road, cross a pasture, taking care to close the gates properly. A little further on, you’ll reach the junction with the^GR®5(marked with Red Rectangles)

(1). Turn right here and head up the paved road. After the last house, leave the road and take a path on the left that climbs through the woodland.

(2) You’ll emerge at the ‘Mont Jean’ pass and its major crossroads. Continue due north; the^GR® follows a path that gently leads above the Mont Jean farm (a stopover lodge). Keep to the right; the climb becomes steeper. A few lovely clearings offer views of the landscape on the western slope.

(3) On the right is the Grande Roche fountain, then a little further on, to the left and slightly below, the rock known as the “Grande Roche”. The path levels out and leads into a clearing..

.(4) At the crossroads on the boundary between the municipalities (marked by red boundary stones), take a detour to the right, following the white signposts, to reach the “Pierre Écrite” and its mysterious inscriptions.

(5) Return to the previous crossroads.

(4) Turn right, following the boundary between the municipalities and its boundary stones bearing traces of red paint. The path descends to the Col de Chantoiseau refuge.

(6) Behind the refuge, leave the red triangle trail on your right and head straight up, following the red-and-white Red Rectangle markings of^{the GR®5}towards Ballon d’Alsace. The climb is steep until you reach the “Gros Hêtre”.

(7) The ‘Gros Hêtre’ no longer exists, but a distinctive sign marks the spot. It is a 1930s-style Michelin concrete sign – a rare sight in the forest. Turn right, cross the Wissgrut pastures and head for the four-way junction at Wissgrut.

(8) Turn left towards the Ballon d’Alsace. At the next crossroads, veer right to reach the Wissgrut Shrine and enjoy the 360° view.

(9) Return to the Wissgrut crossroads.

(8) Turn left onto the path towards the Tremontkopf via a^GR®5variant – marked with a Red Rectangle. Reach the summit.

(10) Leave the pastures and head into the woodland towards the Hirtzenlach Pass. The path follows the old border, marked by traditional boundary stones inscribed with ‘F’ for France and ‘D’ for Deutschland, erected after the 1870 war. Continue to the Unnamed Pass.

(11) Turn right, following the Red Triangle markings, for a short round trip of a few metres to the “Roche du Serpent” and its breathtaking view to the south.

Back at the Col Sans Nom, rejoin the^GR®5path to the right, following the Red Rectangle markings. Reach the Col de Hirtzenlach.

(12) Leave the borderline by taking a slightly left-hand path along the hillside. You’ll emerge onto the Fennematt pastures, then those of the Lochberg, and finally onto the pasture where the Doller spring is located.

(13) Turn right onto the climb up to the Lochberg Pass, reach the pass and enjoy the view from the wayside shrine.

(14) Leave the pasture and take the forest track leading down directly opposite, marked with the new Blue Ring sign. The descent is easy as far as the Col du Chat.

(15) Turn right onto a rough track, still marked with a Blue Ring, which descends steeply. Leave the path leading off to Riervescemont on your right. Join a good track, marked with a Red Rectangle, and follow it to the left as far as the Col des Sept Chemins.

(16) Join the main forest track towards the timber yard and head down towards the west (marked with a Red Ring). The descent is gentle and straightforward, leading back to the car park at Rosemont Castle (S/E).

Standard hiking kit, with good footwear and walking poles recommended. Don’t forget a jumper and a waterproof jacket (frequent thunderstorms in the late afternoon)
Covered shelters with tables, benches and a barbecue fireplace at the Col de Chantoiseau (6) and at the Carrefour des 7 Chemins (16).
There is a spring at La Grande Roche for animals. Otherwise, bring your own drinks.
Food and drink are available at Wissgrut, Fennematt and Lochberg,

(5) In the small clearing at La Pierre Écrite, mysterious inscriptions and sketches catch the eye. Is it simply a stone bearing traces of erosion and doodles by idle shepherds, or a sacred stone with inscriptions dating back to ancient times? It is, in any case, listed as a historic monument.
(6) There are tables, benches and a barbecue here.
(16) An open shelter equipped with a barbecue (an exact replica of the Chantoiseau shelter).