Above Anould and the Meurthe Valley, the Roche du Sphinx sits on a hill at an elevation of about 560 metres. The Roche is covered with heather and scattered rocks; the rock itself consists of fine-grained, feldspar-rich granite. It offers viewpoints and can also serve as a picnic spot. If you enjoy combining scenic views with a specific natural landmark on an outing, you can include it in your selection for both. Fine-grained describes the texture of the granite, while its feldspar-rich composition refers to the high proportion of this mineral—two distinct features of the rock.

Nature and hiking

The circular hiking trail “Circuit pédestre - Roche du Sphinx” is 6.5 kilometres long and classified as easy. It connects viewpoints, geological features, agricultural landscapes and woodland sections. While the Roche itself is the main natural landmark and a possible picnic spot, the circular trail covers a broader range of landscape features. Its length and classification answer two different questions: 6.5 kilometres indicates the distance of the circuit, while “easy” is its stated difficulty level.

Another hiking route mentioned on the heights of Anould and in the surrounding area is Le circuit des Croix. If you include this route in your plans, check current trail conditions and availability before setting out; both can change.

Anould is described as a destination for hiking, snowshoe circuits, Nordic skiing and alpine skiing. The range of activities therefore extends from walking to winter sports. Check local seasonal availability if one of these activities is to determine when you travel.

Beekeeping and architecture

For a different kind of visit, the Rucher des Hautes Vosges - Bertrand Noël welcomes visitors year-round at its apiary in Anould. The offerings include tastings of honey products and the direct sale of honey and hive products. If you would like to include honey and beekeeping products in your plans alongside scenery and hiking, this visit offers a distinct focus.

The Église Saint-Antoine adds an architectural highlight. It was rebuilt on the site of the former, destroyed church on the heights of Anould and overlooks the Meurthe Valley. It is open for free visits by individual visitors, offering a different focus from the hiking trails and natural landmark.

On the façades, pink Vosges sandstone blocks highlight corners, pillars, buttresses, cornices and round-arched windows. These architectural elements provide specific points of interest during a visit: pillars and buttresses create vertical accents, cornices divide the façade horizontally, and the arches distinguish the windows. This makes it possible to appreciate the building through its façade details as well as its elevated position above the valley.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-D'ormont, Fresse-Sur-Moselle, Ban-De-Laveline, Basse-Sur-Le-Rupt, Plombières-Les-Bains, Sercœur, Golbey, Neufchâteau.

For the broader travel overview: Vosges.