Malvaux

5 July 2015:  Today was a short day of hiking, which suited us, as we did not feel very energetic.  Our trail followed the Savoureuse River (great name!) from its source near the summit of the Ballon d'Alsace down a narrow valley to Malvaux, a small village that happens to have an auberge, Les Moraines, offering chambres d'hôtes & tables d'hôtes.  We will follow the Savoureuse farther tomorrow to Giromagny.  

Although short, today's étape was very significant:  Descending from the Ballon d'Alsace, we left Alsace.  Our two weeks of hiking in Alsace were wonderful.  It's a beautiful and interesting region – not to mention the excellent food & wine.  All along the GR5, Mary and I have been making plans to return to the places we've walked through, for more extended visits.  Alsace is certainly on that list!

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Leaving Alsace and entering the Territoire de Belfort, we bade farewell to the Club Vosgien's red rectangles marking the GR5.  We now follow the standard white & red GR trail marks. 

The trail descending through the forest beside the stream was beautiful.  And we enjoyed the shade again during another hot, sunny day!

We emerged from the forest and walked across open fields for the final section of the day's hike. 

The Auberge Les Moraines: a rather... rustic place (to put it tactfully), but with a shaded terrace that we enjoyed in the afternoon and evening: