Randonnée - les vieilles abbayes

Access: From Remiremont, take the Val-d'Ajol road and after 2 km, turn left towards Girmont-Val-d'Ajol. Parking: Park along the D57, at the place called "La Barre de la Vigotte" (near the holiday centre Les Tronches).

Distance: 7.5 km / Duration: 2.5 hours / Difference in altitude: 210 m / Marking: red ring.

1) Start from the Barre de la Vigotte on the edge of the D57. Go down the small road towards the Vigotte inn and chalets until the next crossroads. Go up to the right along the tarmac forest road.
2) Leave the tarmac for a forest track on the left, often closed to traffic by a barrier. Pass in front of the fountain of the Belgians (ONF chalet). Continue on this path to the next crossroads.
3) Follow the path on the right on the hillside.
4) Continue the ascent along this pleasant path, which was laid out a long time ago to facilitate the surveillance of the forests. In a few minutes, an outward and return trip along a winding path offers the possibility of accessing the Roche Fendue and even further down, in the moraine, the Glacière (slippery ground and rocks, very steep slope).
5) Just after the wooden footbridge over the small gully, you cross the site of the Vieilles Abbayes (only a few stones are visible). Follow a path dotted with small white pebbles to a flat road. Take it to the left and head for the Auberge de la Croisette d'Hérival (viewpoint over the Moselle valley, source of the Combeauté).
6) Follow the GR7 to the right. It quickly leads to the car park at the start.