Le Valtin offers nature trails with a range of themes: the Sentier des panoramas combines landscapes, cultural heritage and poetry, while other trails lead to a viewpoint or a waterfall. The village is also home to a church and the contemporary Notre-Dame des Chaumes Chapel at the Col de la Schlucht. If you’re looking for a hotel in Le Valtin, you can choose where to stay based on whether your main interests are hiking, cycling or culture.

Hiking between panoramic views and a waterfall

The Tanet-Gazon du Faing National Nature Reserve extends across the municipalities of Le Valtin and Plainfaing and covers 505 hectares. For a specific hiking suggestion, try the Sentier des panoramas: rated difficult, this 3.5-kilometer walking trail has an elevation gain of 150 meters and takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. Along the way, you’ll encounter seven educational panels and 21 poems; landscapes, cultural heritage and poetry are all part of the trail’s concept.

For the Sentier des panoramas, the car park is on the D23 at the entrance to the village in the direction of Plainfaing, before the town hall. As parking arrangements may change seasonally, check them before setting out. Les Roches du Valtin offer a different view of the area: they can only be reached on foot via a hiking trail starting from the village and offer panoramic views over the Vallée de la Meurthe. The visit is self-guided.

The Balade de la cascade du Rudlin leads from the road near the Étang des Dames along a red-marked forest trail to the Cascade du Rudlin. This trail differs from the themed panoramic route in its waterfall destination and trail markings. Weather may affect trail conditions; assess them before setting out.

Cycling through the village and along the Meurthe

The La traversée des vallées vosgiennes cycling route starts at the car park by the town hall in Le Valtin. It passes through the village, by the Carrière du Valtin and for several kilometers along the Meurthe. These stops give the ride a different focus from the hiking trails: it goes through the village and then follows the river. Road conditions can vary, so plan your ride accordingly.

Church and contemporary architecture

The church in Le Valtin was completed in 1704. The date is engraved on the portal’s keystone, so it can be seen directly on the building. A contrasting architectural landmark is Notre-Dame des Chaumes: this contemporary chapel, with its pyramid-shaped form and glazed gable, has overlooked the Col de la Schlucht since 1960. It bears the “Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable” label.

Notre-Dame des Chaumes can be visited individually during open visits; access arrangements may change seasonally. Every summer, the chapel hosts masses and a cultural program. Check the relevant dates before your trip. The architecture, individual visits and seasonal program offer different reasons to plan a visit to the chapel.

Another activity at the pass

Luge d'été à la Schlucht has two tracks, each 850 meters long, with an elevation difference of 107 meters. Its stated route details make it a distinct activity alongside the hiking and cycling trails. When planning, you can choose between a hike with a specified duration and difficulty, a cycling route along the Meurthe, a trail to the waterfall and other cultural or leisure activities.

Discover more destinations: Morizécourt, Charmes, Damblain, Le Val-D'ajol, Saint-Léonard, Destord, Vrécourt, Autrey.

For the overview of the wider region: Vosges.