Vosges: Nature, Hiking Trails and Culture

Nature and hiking trails

In the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, high-altitude pastures, peat bogs, beech-fir forests and limestone grasslands shape the landscape. Nearly 2,500 species have been identified in the park. One especially striking natural feature can be found at Lac de Lispach: a floating raised bog covers almost half of the lake’s surface. The peat bogs of Lispach and Ténine are also distinctive landscape features; since 1995, they have been designated as sensitive natural areas in the Vosges department.

The Vosges have more than 4,000 kilometres of marked and maintained hiking trails. There are also 500 kilometres of marked Grande Randonnée long-distance trails. Since 1921, the Club Vosgien has marked nearly 4,000 kilometres of trails in the Vosges. These figures describe an extensive trail network, not one particular hike: your own plans will depend on the specific route.

The 77-kilometre Route des Crêtes offers a different way to experience the landscape. It passes over the Grand Ballon, the Hohneck and the Col de la Schlucht, with views of lakes, valleys and peaks. The road is closed to traffic for the winter from mid-November. If your trip falls during this period, check road access in advance; the views also depend on the weather.

Cycling routes and winter sports

There are different routes to choose from for a cycling trip. The Voie Verte des Hautes Vosges offers 53 kilometres of multi-use trails through the mountains. The Canal des Vosges route is a 120-kilometre cycle route from Nancy to Bains-les-Bains through forests and valleys. The descriptions of their length and scenery give you a sense of each route, but they are not the same trail. For a specific ride, it is worth checking the latest route information, as construction work can temporarily affect cycling infrastructure.

Winter sports are another possible reason to visit: the Gérardmer Nordic area has 40 kilometres of marked trails. Whether they can be used depends on the weather and season. Before your trip, check the current conditions rather than assuming the stated distance means the trails are open year-round.

Spa towns and history

There are four spa towns in the Vosges: Bains-les-Bains, Vittel, Plombières-les-Bains and Contrexéville. If you are interested in spa culture, each town offers a different historical connection. In Plombières-les-Bains, four historic thermal baths are designated as Monuments historiques. Bains-les-Bains preserves Gallo-Roman remains, including ancient mosaics. Treatments and access to individual facilities may vary; check the relevant conditions before making specific plans to visit.

Another cultural trail leads to Mirecourt. The town has exported violins around the world since the 17th century. The Musée de la lutherie et de l’archèterie françaises explains the violin-making craft associated with Mirecourt. If you plan to visit the museum, check its current programme and visitor information, as exhibitions and access arrangements can change.

Regional cuisine and a sweet classic

Repas marcaire is traditionally served in the mountain inns of the Hautes-Vosges. Menus and seasonal service may vary, so it is worth checking the current selection in advance. Another culinary connection bears the name Plombières: Glace de Plombières is associated with Plombières-les-Bains. A local legend places its origin at the 1858 meeting between Napoleon III and Cavour. This is a legend about its origins, not a verified account of what happened at the time.

Discover more destinations:

Epinal, Gérardmer, Godoncourt, La Bresse, Le Thillot, Le Tholy, Le Val-D'ajol, Xonrupt-Longemer, Girmont Val D`ajol, Hurbache, Le Valtin, Les Voivres, Liézey, Lironcourt, Morizécourt, Pargny-Sous-Mureau, Ramonchamp, Saint-Nabord, Le Menil, Ventron, Saulxures-Sur-Moselotte, Vagney, Anould, Allarmont, Gerbepal, Corcieux, Cornimont, Travexin, Thiéfosse, Dombasle-Devant-Darney, Bonvillet, Ban-De-Laveline, Beaufremont, Bussang, Colroy-La-Grande, Rupt-Sur-Moselle, Frapelle, Vecoux, Denipaire, Sapois, Vittel, Remiremont, Plombières-Les-Bains, Laval, Golbey, Contrexéville, Chavelot, Mirecourt, Housseras, Rehaupal, Baudricourt, Arches, Saint-Dié-Des-Vosges, Xertigny, Saint-Julien, Raon-Sur-Plaine, Rochesson, Le Syndicat, Saint-Pierremont, Ban-Sur-Meurthe-Clefcy, Bulgnéville, Vincey, Neufchâteau, Charmes, Coussey, Basse-Sur-Le-Rupt, Tendon, Rouvres-En-Xaintois, Saint-Maurice-Sur-Moselle, Raon-L'étape, Fontenoy-Le-Château, Plainfaing, Celles-Sur-Plaine, Monthureux-Sur-Saône, Sainte-Marguerite, Bains-Les-Bains, Saint-Remy, Thaon-Les-Vosges, Saint-Léonard, Grand, Senones, Fresse-Sur-Moselle, Ainvelle, Lamarche, Luvigny, Darney, Autrey, Saint-Amé, Saint-Maurice-Sur-Mortagne, La Grande-Fosse, Dommartin-Lès-Remiremont, Raon-Aux-Bois, Le Clerjus, Granges-Sur-Vologne, La Chapelle-Aux-Bois, Gemmelaincourt, Rouvres-La-Chétive, Martinvelle, Champdray, Martigny-Les-Bains, Ferdrupt, La Chapelle-Devant-Bruyères, Châtenois, Étival-Clairefontaine, Herpelmont, Sercœur, Sanchey, Docelles, Fraize, Taintrux, Provenchères-Sur-Fave, Autigny-La-Tour, Légéville-Et-Bonfays, Deycimont, Aumontzey, Saint-Jean-D'ormont, Cheniménil, Rambervillers, Ban-De-Sapt, Lubine, Moyemont, Gironcourt-Sur-Vraine, Jeanménil, Bruyères, Rugney, Bellefontaine, Damblain, Champ-Le-Duc, Frebécourt, Landaville, La Voivre, Grandrupt, Destord, Lusse, Hennezel, Bouzemont, Gerbamont, Fays, Claudon, Belval, Grandrupt-de-Bains, La Neuveville-devant-Lépanges, Pouxeux, Les Rouges-Eaux, Domrémy-la-Pucelle, Igney, Chantraine, Uzemain, Hadol, Nayemont-les-Fosses, Jeuxey, Mazirot, Wisembach, Vrécourt, Faucompierre, Brouvelieures, Ambacourt, Sauville, Cleurie, Fremifontaine, Brechainville

For the regional travel overview: Lorraine.