A tour of the Lac des Corbeaux

Start and finish at the Col de Bramont.
This route will let you discover the Lac des Corbeaux from the Belvédère de la Roche du Lac 200m above it.
The view is stunning and its the perfect place for a snack!
A trail takes you down to the lake. It doesn't cross the embankment, but takes you round the lake on a pleasant, shady trail.
Return to the Col de Bramont via the Étang de Sèchemer.
A very beautiful circuit that's not too difficult, although very steep.

Details

5736
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 595 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 602 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,155 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 851 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Col de Bramont.

  • Park your car near the sign: "Col de Bramont - Altitude 956m".
  • Go in the direction of the "Col de Pourri Faing" (Marker = navy blue rectangle - GR531). Small pitfall to avoid: you leave the broad path for a narrow trail on the right after 20/25 minutes of walking, but the marker that remains the same is visible to those coming from the other direction. so you need to be vigilant!
  • In front of the "Col of Pourri Faing" on the descent, go in the direction of the "Col de la Vierge" (Marker = blue circle).
  • You cross the grasses of the "Viellie Montagne", and arrive at the forest "Chalet de l'Union".
  • Turn in the direction of "Croix Louis" (Marker = red cross).
  • At "Croix Louis" face the inscription on the cross and spot the entrance of the unmarked path behind it. On each side of this path, ONF lot numbers are clearly visible: 17 on the left, 16 on the right
  • take this path until you reach NFB lot No. 137 to the left and 138 to the right. Just after, there's a tight bend on the left. Continue on this same path.
  • You'll join a forest road. Follow it in the direction of the "Roche du Lac" (Marker = yellow circle)
  • After reaching the Belvédère de la Roche du Lac, continue in the direction of "Collet Mansui - Lac des Corbeaux" (same marker).
  • Then follow "Collet Mansui - Cornimont" (Markers = red cross and yellow circle).
  • At "Collet Mansui" go in the direction of the "Lac des Corbeaux" (Markers = green rectangle and yellow circle).
  • At the lake:1::, do not cross the embankment, but take the time to walk around the lake in a clockwise direction (30 minutes, completley flat).
  • At the embankment, go in the direction of "Étang de Sèchemer". (Marker = green diamond).
  • At the "Étang de Sechemer", go in the direction of "Col de la Vierge" (Marker = green triangle).
  • After a "serious" climb back up you'll arrive at a forest road. Follow this in the direction of the Col de Bramont (Marker = yellow cross).
  • Return to the start point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 956 m - Col de Bramont
  2. 1 : km 1.5 - alt. 1,138 m - Continue straight downhill
  3. 2 : km 2.11 - alt. 1,149 m - La Vieille Montagne
  4. 3 : km 3.08 - alt. 1,066 m - Refuge de l'Union - Col de la Vierge (1067m)
  5. 4 : km 4.73 - alt. 1,071 m - Croix Louis
  6. 5 : km 6.29 - alt. 1,045 m - Roche du Lac lookout
  7. 6 : km 7.03 - alt. 1,055 m - Mansui small pass
  8. 7 : km 7.81 - alt. 889 m - Lac des Corbeaux
  9. 8 : km 11.13 - alt. 863 m - Sechemer pond
  10. 9 : km 12.75 - alt. 1,015 m - Forest road, turn left
  11. S/E : km 14.92 - alt. 956 m - Col de Bramont

Notes

There are a few very very steep sections so walking poles may be useful.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 133 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
pfwm056
pfwm056

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning autumn colours.

Machine-translated

User 16857677

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to do when the sun is shining. Magnificent view from the Lake Corbeaux lookout point. However, the section after 8 was closed due to forestry work. The trail was indeed littered with felled trees. Finally, I regret that the lake bar and restaurant refused to charge my phone while I was eating and drinking, for safety reasons!

Machine-translated

Positiver68
Positiver68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Made on a Friday
Not many people
Detour due to roadworks + 150 m elevation gain nonetheless

Machine-translated

Alex C1.
Alex C1.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

There were only two good viewpoints, one 30 minutes from the start and the other on Lac des Corbeaux (which was very busy on this summer's day, but which made it possible to have a snack at the inn on the lake). (I could have looked at the itinerary better before setting off...)

Machine-translated

Jean-fr
Jean-fr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk with easy access and no particular difficulties, enabling you to discover the beautiful Vosges countryside.

Machine-translated

Bountie
Bountie
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This walk took place at the beginning of February.
A lot of roads and paths were cut off because of the snow and to "protect the flora and fauna". I understand that nature needs to be protected, but as a result we weren't able to follow the route indicated by Viso... so be careful if you do this walk in winter!
Otherwise, I'd recommend it, it's great (when you find the right path and it's possible to go over it).

Machine-translated

ricala
ricala

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

superb itinerary but very frequent in summer especially around the lake i recommend to do out of season technical circuit around the lake accident this day with two injured by helicopter

Machine-translated

MaDro
MaDro

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty walk, not very busy except at the lake and Belvedere. Picnic in the middle of the route by the lake, perfect.

Machine-translated

Dotis
Dotis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk, with no particular difficulties.

Machine-translated

Romain 08
Romain 08

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent forests and a very pleasant break at Lac des Corbeaux. I did this walk in mid-September, so it's not very popular. No particular difficulties, only the passage around the belvedere requires a little more care, especially in the event of rain.

Machine-translated

Manureb277
Manureb277

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Great ride, pleasant singles to ride, beautiful views.
Tracking the route via the app is a real plus.

Machine-translated

randoviso17
randoviso17
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very fine route, pleasant in these hot weather conditions.
The Lac des Corbeaux is magnificent, especially from the lookout point, and the Etang de Sechemer is a great place to recharge your batteries.
The descent after the lookout requires a little care (caution with children).
Bear in mind that the end of the route includes a good 200-metre climb.
The GPS track is always useful. 17.5 km, 600 m ascent, 6 hours including breaks.

Machine-translated

LeBarde
LeBarde

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Magnificent tour in very fine weather at the end of May.
Very quiet, surrounded by greenery and the Lac des Corbeaux is indeed a wonder to behold from the viewpoint.
The "little pitfall to avoid" at the beginning of the description no longer applies: everything is well signposted in both directions in a blue rectangle.

Machine-translated

jackybois
jackybois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a beautiful trail, mostly in the forest. The descent to Lac des Corbeaux is quite technical (stony path). The chalet at the lake is quite busy (Sundays). The Etang de Sechemer is magnificent in its green setting. The climb back up to the Col de la Vierge is quite strenuous. Thank you for this beautiful walk.

Machine-translated

Joêlle68
Joêlle68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route, often wide paths. Walked on a very hot day, but bearable because of the shade and altitude of around 1000 m. The climbs are a little steep but not long. Our group unanimously enjoyed it very much.

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.