RANDONNÉE - LES ÉTANGS DU GIRMONT

Access : From Remiremont, take the road to Val-d'Ajol and after 2 km, turn left towards Girmont-Val-d'Ajol. Parking : Park on the large parking lot near the courtyard. Distance : 10 km / Duration : 3 h 30 / Difference in altitude : 250 m / Marking : green ring. 1) Departure from the information panel located in the center of Girmont-Val-d'Ajol. During 1 km follow the small road that passes in front of the Saint-Vallier inn (important plantation of Vosges bluets visible from the terrace). 2) Turn to the left and reach the ponds of Corfaing located on the plateau by a gentle slope. Towards the farm, go around the last pond by the left and stay on the edge of the forest (view on the ponds). 3) Cross the road, the path continues always in edge. Follow a new road on the right for 200m. Turn left on a gravel path that enters the forest. The path follows a fence, turns at right angle and slopes further to the right while going down slightly to a new road (picnic area). 4) Cross the road and follow a path that goes off at an angle. After the pond dam (Houillon pond), turn left. Cross the dam of a second pond in the middle of the woods and continue on the right path between two hedges. Take a wider path on the right. 5) Turn left after 500m, at the junction with the marked circuit n°21. Go along the pond of La Mollière (old peat bog). Possibility of an immediate return towards the village by the tarred road (not marked). 6) Go down to the right just after a chalet and follow the edge of a forest to cross the Géhard stream (log bridge sometimes slippery or damaged by floods). Head down the valley and take a short steep slope on the right, crossing a road. The path stays flat for a while before plunging down to the Géhard waterfall. 7) After visiting the waterfall, return to the village following the asphalt road for 800m and then an often wet path on the left to go up the hill. Finally a last stretch of road and the village bell tower appears straight ahead.