Hiking - the Semouse Valley

Access: From Remiremont, head to Plombières-les-Bains. Take the direction of Xertigny/Bellefontaine to reach Ruaux.
Parking: Park in front of the campsite in the center.

Distance: 11.3 km / Duration: 3h30 / Elevation gain: 210m / Marking: red ring.

1) Start in front of the campsite in the center of Ruaux. Go up the main street and turn left on Rue de la Poste.
2) After the last houses, descend a grassy path surrounded by meadows.
3) Cross the hamlet of Côte Levée via a paved path.
4) Leave the road by a dirt path to the right just at the edge of a small beech forest. Descend to a crossing of paths and continue on Rue du Crime, which is actually just a peaceful forest path covered in humus (ruins with cellars testify to an ancient habitat).
5) In the hamlet of Clairefontaine, enter the forest on the left by a logging track that starts in front of house No. 405. A sign indicates a shortcut to return to Ruaux by road. Continue straight to the modest remains of the Château des Fées (the fairies would never have finished the work). It sometimes happens that the path is very muddy during bad weather. Reach the left bank of the Semouse by a path leading to a ford. A narrow, little-used path allows you to go back up this left bank.
6) A round trip to the left offers a viewpoint over the hamlet of Semouse with the Château of the iron masters and its chapel. Continue by climbing the hill via the old railway line of the tram replaced by a forest path (a narrow-gauge tram connected the factories of Plombières and Semouse). After a series of bends, follow a path parallel to the tramway. Briefly take the D20 uphill towards Plombières.
7) 400m after the intersection with D20 bis, take the first path on the right. Cross a paved path, walk another 500m before turning right towards the village of Ruaux.