Épinal / Bains-les-Bains

From Épinal, La Voie Bleue changes in nature; now, you ride along an unspoilt part of the route, following the greenway beside the Canal des Vosges. After cycling beside Bouzey Lake (a reservoir built to supply the Canal des Vosges), then savour the bucolic setting that follows, with very lovely vistas created by the way the centuries-old ash trees were planted here. Before arriving at Bains-les-Bains, stop to admire the Manufacture Royale (where tinware was once made), visible from the greenway.

The route

From Epinal’s port, you head up the Moselle Valley, alongside its canal, as far as a canal bridge. Then head for Bouzey Lake, followed by Bains-les-Bains. The greenway on this stretch has a good surface, is well signposted and is easy to cycle along, running beside the canal and past its locks.

Link to Bains-les-Bains

To reach the centre of Bains-les-Bains, the 3km link is signposted, but there are no safety features in place for cyclists; you follow the D164 road and there are slopes to tackle.

SNCF (French national railways network)

TER line Epinal <> Bains-les-Bains <> Belfort

Don't miss

• Lac de Bouzey: the largest lake in the Vosges, swimming allowed, bird watching
• Manufacture de Bains les Bains: former 18th century tinsmith's shop, free visit
• Thermes de Bains les Bains : spa relaxation area for the day