Tour of Southern Déodatie (Vosges)

Starting in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, the cradle of American cartography, this journey through southern Déodatie leads into the verdant valleys of Lusse and Wisembach. The trail climbs towards the peaks of Ban-de-Laveline and La Croix-aux-Mines, where old silver mines recall the Vosges Mountains' past industrial wealth. Nature reclaims its territory near Xonrupt-Longemer, revealing sparkling glacial lakes bordered by ancient fir trees, before reaching the "Pearl of the Vosges," Gérardmer, and its famous lake. The route then forks towards the peaceful woodlands of Liézey and the meadows of Granges-Aumontzey, offering panoramic views of the bluish ridgelines. Crossing Corcieux and La Houssière, hikers discover a rural heritage of granite and pink sandstone typical of the region.

Southern Déodatie, a jewel of the High Vosges centered around Saint-Dié, is a land of transition where the industrial history of textiles meets the majestic granite peaks. This territory is marked by a unique architectural heritage, from the abbeys of the "Line of Abbeys" to the workers' towns nestled in the valleys of the Meurthe and Fave rivers. The landscapes are spectacular, dominated by the famous Ballon des Vosges mountains and dense fir forests stretching as far as the eye can see. Nature expresses itself powerfully on the ridges, where the high plateaus offer 360° panoramas of the Alsace plain and the Alps on a clear day. Between deep blue glacial lakes and steep rocky cirques, wildlife, including chamois and capercaillie, finds a protected refuge here.

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