Check the weather

Temperatures can vary from 30 to 12°C in the Vosges. So you should wear the right outfit and prepare a change of clothes...

Changes of temperature

You may be thinking: there is nothing to fear about the temperature changes in the north east of France... but think again! Our region can sometimes experience great thermal ranges, which encourages people to be careful and organized when going for an outdoor adventure. Indeed, in the summer, our thermometers here can go up to 30°C during the day but then drop down to 12°C at night. In winter, we often get negative temperatures for several days in a row. However, there is no need to panic. This beautiful, cold and dry weather comes from an anticyclone often focused on Germany. It allows us to take advantage of beautiful sunny days in the middle of winter: getting some light is always delightful!

Winter is also a great time for putting on hiking shoes or ski boots and go discover nature in the Vosges when everything is covered with snow. Fir trees coated with powder snow offer a change of scenery and a holiday that reminds you of your childhood.

Check information the day before

When you plan the necessary equipment before going on an adventure, the weather is your ally. Ideally, you should check the weather the day before your hike, on a reliable website. It should give you details on the weather forecast for the day, hour by hour. This will allow you to decide when to leave and what clothes to wear. You will be able to decide which hours of the day are more suitable for a walk depending on the season and the place you wish to walk around. In the summer, it would be better to go for morning or evening walks, unless you plan on going into the woods where the shade of the trees can protect you from the sun. Between different seasons, all hiking routes should be conceivable thanks to a temperate weather. However, weather conditions in winter do not always allow hikers to go into the forests. Therefore, it is more appropriate to walk on little used roads or on the cycling route along the Canal des Vosges.

Whether it is rainy or windy, cool or warm, you will always find an opportunity to hike in our area: the forests around Épinal are full of charm even in the rain. So, when would you prefer to come and explore our trails?