Tendon combines waterfalls and granite formations with hiking options that can be planned in different ways. Alongside nature trails, there is a viewpoint overlooking the village, local history connected with granite paving stones, as well as an escape game and locally produced organic cheese. You can tailor your stay to suit your interests, balancing nature, exercise and other discoveries.
Waterfalls and hiking
The Cascades de Tendon include a waterfall surrounded by forest, with a drop of about 30 metres. The Balade des cascades de Tendon is an easy 3.7-kilometre out-and-back hike with 70 metres of elevation gain. Distance and elevation gain give you two concrete points of reference for planning. Weather conditions may affect whether the route is feasible, so check conditions before setting out.
A marked hike from the Cascades de Tendon to the Col de Bonne Fontaine passes via the Roches de la Brostille and takes two to three hours. You can cover the route on foot or by mountain bike. When choosing between the hikes, you can either plan by distance and elevation gain or opt for a tour with a stated duration. You can also reach the Roche de la Brostille from the Cascades on a hike marked with red rings. The viewpoint, at an altitude of 682 metres, overlooks the village of Tendon.
Granite: from rock formations to local history
On the northeastern slope of the village, the Roches de la Moulure lie along the Chemin de la Moulure. They consist of large granite blocks that are unusually split and stacked on top of one another. Granite also has a direct connection to local history: the La Hutte quarry in Tendon supplied granite paving stones used for the Champs-Élysées. The rock formations show the material in its natural form, while the quarry represents its processing into paving stones.
More discoveries
At Le Presbytère, the escape game lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes and is inspired by horror films. Check in advance whether it is running on the date of your visit. GAEC de la Moulure produces organic cheese in Tendon. The farm also offers direct sales and has a shop; ask about the availability of these sales options before your visit. At 1 hour and 45 minutes, the escape game is shorter than the two- to three-hour hike to the Col de Bonne Fontaine.
Getting there
From Épinal, reach Tendon via the D11 towards Gérardmer. From Gérardmer, take the D417 towards Remiremont, then join the D11 at the entrance to Le Tholy. Road conditions can change, so check them before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Thiéfosse, Lamarche, Vittel, Faucompierre, Liézey, Autigny-La-Tour, Fraize, Gérardmer
For the broader travel overview: Vosges.
