Start of the hike at the parking lot of the Saint-Amé stadium

Departure at the end of the morning, we decide to leave for the hike called “Les Carrières”. We take the car to Saint-Amé from Remiremont, after the traffic lights, we turn left, pass in front of the Town Hall and continue straight, following the signs indicating the direction of the stadium.

At the top of the hill, we park in the car park provided for this purpose, opposite the stadium and near the Miroir au Merle lake. On site, a trail suitable for all on the theme of the Little Prince and a botanical trail have been developed and nature-related leisure structures have been installed. We move forward following the signs for the Club Vosgien, the red ring, the same throughout the walk.

Walk along pretty paths in the forest

Once past the small pond, on the left, the markings take us on a winding path that crosses the peaceful forest of Saint-Amé. This beginning of the hike is very pleasant and the first meters of elevation are already beginning to be felt: the tone is set, but this is only the beginning. Pass in front of the television relay, then a bit of flat land to the parking lot of the Corbelières climbing rock (viewpoint accessible by making a round trip).

Head to the quarries of Saint-Amé

From this car park, we continue our hike by taking the main path that climbs to the right. We climb for a while, observing the landscape, the forests and undergrowth shaped by the old quarries.

Then we arrive at a magnificent view over the valley... This super clear view gives us another look at Saint-Amé, the surrounding towns and the superb blue line of the Vosges.

From there, we can even see Saint-Mont! To enjoy even more, we decide to picnic on the table set up on site (and covered if necessary).

We set off again after the picnic

After this good break, we leave, pass in front of a small chalet which is also a picnic spot and arrive on a paved road. At the next intersection, we continue our hike still following the red ring markup. But for the more adventurous, it is possible from here to go to the Saint-Mont, the Pont des Fées as well as to the chapel, the cave and the fountain of Vieux Saint-Amé by following the blue disc markings which will join by the following the red ring.

For our part, we go down the paved road to the Carrefour des Bœufs. Nearby, we join a pretty path that descends to a small dry pond. Not far away, we come to quarries still in operation today.

Finally, from there, we continue to follow the markings which take us on a path in the forest, without difficulty and shaded, which runs along the subdivisions of Saint-Amé to return to the starting point.

A brief history of the Saint-Amé quarries

The Saint-Amé quarries were created in 1850 to meet the need to supply the city of Paris with cobblestones for the construction of the grand boulevards during the Haussmann era. Indeed, the local granite, because of its composition and its hardness with small crystals, was perfectly suited.

This is how 75% of Parisian cobblestones at the time came from the Vosges. After the Second World War, the activity lost momentum due to the arrival of new materials.

For this 10km hike with almost 500m of elevation gain, you must be well-shod. The walk follows very pleasant forest paths, beautiful paths but also a bit of road. You have to be careful during these passages but the view is worth it!

Camille