FAMILY WALK - PONDS CIRCUIT FROM THE BLACK POND

Circuit des Etangs from the Etang Noir (Municipality of Ramonchamp).

Duration: 2h.

Difficulty: easy (family walk with children).

Lenght: 5 kilometers.

Elevation: +54 meters.

Signposting: blue ring on the outward journey and unmarked departmental road on the return.

Places of  interest: viewpoint of the Etang Noir, wild landscapes of the Noirs Etangs and the Etang de la Peau, wooden footbridge and peat bog of the Etang de la Chaussée Pingant.

Departure: Etang Noir car park.

Access: From Le Thillot, follow the road towards Lure and Servance. At the top of the Col des Croix, turn right onto the D57 for 4 kilometers.

Description of the route:

From the car park, take the path on the left which runs along the pond and follow the direction "Sentier des Etangs" blue ring markings. After 50 meters, pass over a belvedere protected by wooden barriers. Continue on this path, you walk along the Etang Noir before crossing the road.

When you get to the road, turn left, continuing for 30 meters, then take the path to the right in the forest, following the blue ring markings. Cross the blue bridge and continue on this path for about 300 meters. Once again on the road, cross it and take the path opposite the blue ring markings.

Continue for 50 meters then turn right, still following the same blue ring markings. You pass at a place called "Les Noirs Etangs" whose name is indicated on a sign at the edge of the footpath.
At the crossroads, still follow the direction "Sentier des Etangs" blue ring markings. Walk along the dry pond then at the end of the path, take the path opposite the blue ring markings. Do not turn right onto the asphalt road.

Pass by a private pond and house on the left. The land is fenced. Arrived at the end of this private pond, you come out on a pond called "Etang de la Chaussée Pingant". Take the blue ring signposted path to the right. Cross the bridge which leads to a pretty chalet with picnic table open all year round. Possibility of fishing on site (fishing license compulsory).

Head to the right behind the chalet, follow the sign "Sentier des Etangs" signposted blue ring and walk along the bog. Continue the walk following the direction "direction advised". Find another pond on your right with a chalet. Walk along it following the blue ring markings. When you arrive at a new pond (large house) called "Etang de la Peau", turn right then walk along this pond via the path to join a forest path before turning left to join the road.

In front of you is a pond bordered by stones. Follow the road on your right for 2 km to finish the walk and reach the starting point (caution, busy road).