Hicking route : the 3 Chalets

CIRCUIT N ° 2: The 3 chalets (Municipality of Ferdrupt) Duration: approximately 3h30 Difficulty: medium (occasional hiker)
Distance: 12 kilometers Positive elevation: 450 meters Markings: yellow disc Places of tourist interest: This hike allows you to discover an essential element of the heritage of the Ballons des Hautes Vosges: the forest chalets. These chalets located along the hiking trails are open to all, free of charge and without prior reservation. They are popular picnic spots for walkers. Departure: parking lot of the town hall of Ferdrupt Access: Coming from Le Thillot, take the national road 66 towards Epinal. The second village crossed is called Ferdrupt. The town hall is in the center of the village on the right 300 meters after the church. Description of the route:
Take rue André Duval then after 200 meters, turn right onto the road to Grebiay. After 60 meters, you arrive at the start of the loop. Continue on this road straight until the junction with Chemin des Briseux. Then, go right for 30 meters then left on the Château d´Eau road. Continue on this road for 140 meters and take the path leading to the left between a house and a shed. The trail climbs steeply through charming undergrowth before reaching an intersection lined with a ledge. Take the path on your left, it leads to Chalet du Grebiay through a maze of ferns. From the chalet, you can enjoy a lovely view of the Ballon d'Alsace and the upper valley of the Moselle. Continue straight on the same path until Col de la Sûre (altitude: 741 meters). At the pass, take the wide path that climbs to the right. After about 500 meters, go up on the left towards the Chalet de l'Homant which you gain after walking for 1 kilometer. This is the highest point of the course (altitude: 876 meters). After this chalet, retrace your steps for about 300 meters then fork to the right in the direction of the Chalet du Châtelet, from where you have a nice viewpoint over the valley of Grandrupt and the Haut de Bélué.
Continue on the wide forest path which is on the left in order to descend to the village. The route passes near the farm inn "A la Colline", an establishment specializing in duck cuisine. From the farmhouse, continue down a tarmac road before entering the path on the right after about 400 meters. The path runs alongside the Ferdrupt stream and passes near the unusual accommodations at the Domaine du Châtelet which can be admired on the right before joining the intersection at the start of the hike. You must then take the same path as on your way, for 300 meters via rue André Duval, to reach the town hall of Ferdrupt.