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hikers
Tour of Lake Madine Trail
04:54
18.7km
140m
Hiking
Hike the moderate 11.6-mile Tour of Lake Madine Trail, a scenic loop around Lac de Madine with 454 feet of elevation gain.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
Start point
Place Of Worship
Get Directions
6.05 km
Madine Lake Marina
Highlight • Other
Translated by Google •
Tip by
10.7 km
Beautiful view of Lac de Madine
Highlight • Other
Translated by Google •
Tip by
12.1 km
Lake Madine
Highlight • Lake
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Tip by
18.7 km
End point
Place Of Worship
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
13.4 km
4.31 km
554 m
468 m
Surfaces
8.62 km
3.87 km
3.54 km
1.61 km
771 m
316 m
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Elevation
Highest point (310 m)
Lowest point (220 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Wednesday 27 May
34°C
14°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike the Tour of Lake Madine Trail?
The Tour of Lake Madine Trail is approximately 18.7 kilometers (11.6 miles) long. Komoot estimates it takes about 4 hours and 54 minutes to complete, but allow 5.5 to 6 hours for a comfortable pace, especially if you plan to stop and enjoy the scenery.
What is the difficulty level of this hike?
Komoot rates this trail as 'moderate'. While some sections are flat and easy, the overall length and varied terrain, including some elevation gain, contribute to its moderate rating. It's suitable for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness.
What kind of terrain can I expect on the Tour of Lake Madine Trail?
The trail offers a diverse experience, alternating between open areas along the lake's banks, pleasant wooded sections, and paths through orchards. You'll find generally flat paths in many areas, but also some sections with slight elevation changes. A small portion, about 3 kilometers, runs along a departmental road.
Are there any notable viewpoints or landmarks along the route?
Absolutely! You'll encounter several scenic spots. Don't miss the Beautiful view of Lac de Madine, and the Madine Lake Marina. The Butte de Montsec, perched at 377 meters, offers magnificent panoramic views and is home to an American monument commemorating WWI soldiers.
Is the Tour of Lake Madine Trail dog-friendly?
Yes, the trail is generally dog-friendly. However, it's always best to keep your dog on a leash, especially given the trail's location within the Lorraine Regional Natural Park and its status as a Natura 2000 site, which protects local wildlife.
What is the best time of year to hike this trail?
The trail is enjoyable in most seasons. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful foliage. Summer is great for enjoying the lake's recreational activities and potential swimming, but can be busier. Winter hiking is possible, but be prepared for colder weather and potentially muddy conditions.
Do I need any permits or pay entrance fees to hike the Tour of Lake Madine Trail or access the Lorraine Regional Natural Park?
No, you do not need a permit or to pay an entrance fee to hike this trail or access the Lorraine Regional Natural Park. However, as a protected area, it's crucial to respect the environment by staying on marked paths and not littering.
Where can I park to access the trail?
While specific parking details aren't provided, the trail is accessible from various points around Lake Madine. Look for parking areas near the main recreational zones or villages like Heudicourt-sous-les-Côtes, which is close to the lake.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see?
The area around Lake Madine is a Natura 2000 site and a National Reserve of Hunting and Wildlife, making it excellent for wildlife observation. It's particularly renowned for birdwatching, with over 250 species, especially wintering waterfowl and migratory birds. There are even ornithological observatories, like the one at Pointe aux Chênes.
Does the trail intersect with other paths?
Yes, the route primarily follows the 'Tour du lac de Madine' path for about 97% of its length. It also briefly intersects with sections of other trails such as 'Chemin des Allemands', 'Chemin de la Comange', and 'Chemin d'Entre les Bois'.
Is this trail suitable for families with young children?
While many parts of the trail are flat and pleasant, a section of about 3 kilometers runs along a departmental road. This particular stretch is not recommended for families with young children due to safety concerns. Consider shorter, more contained loops around the lake if hiking with very young kids.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
🌫️🚶🏻♀️🐕Loop around Lake Madine, an artificial lake 💦 in the Meuse department, the largest lake in Lorraine in terms of surface area. Starting from the Nonsard-Lamarche leisure center, we were enveloped in a beautiful winter fog 🌫️ that accompanied us throughout the entire route.
Basically, I can't recommend this tour around the lake. We didn't see the lake 75% of the way. Many sections of the path don't go along the lake at all or you can't see it because the vegetation on the banks is too dense. If the paths are monotonous gravel paths, it quickly gets boring. But it's definitely suitable for a bike ride. But the lake is still beautiful. A large part is a quiet zone for water birds. But there are also sections that are well developed for tourism (north bank) where visitors can do a lot. Now in the off-season there's very little going on and you can enjoy the peace and quiet. The detour to the memorial was quite impressive. The Americans have erected a much larger memorial here than expected to commemorate the good cooperation between American and French soldiers and to commemorate the soldiers who died in World War I.
Silence! An avenue of deciduous trees, blue water to the right and wood anemones to the left. Birdsong...always different. I feel composed into Mozart's Bird Symphony. Everything so unreal... everything so beautiful. I can recommend this place, also for families... a bathing beach, high ropes course, horses, boats and bicycles for rent - everything is there. In addition, there is also the opportunity to eat something and of course to walk around the lake. About 17km. I also cheated the monument into it. Not part of the official route. The path was partly really wet, due to the rain two days ago and of course the lake. The lake is still there, I put the plug back in... (see pictures) :-)