Exploring the Rothenbachkopf

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One of the most beautiful walks in the Hautes Chaumes! This walk will take you through magnificent landscapes.
The Rothenbachkopf (1,316 m), also known as the ‘Matterhorn of the Vosges’, has a steep summit that contrasts with the rounded shapes of the Ballons.

Details

n°26670186
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 181 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 187 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,314 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,133 m
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Photos

View of the ridge and the Munster Valley from the Batteriekopf
Forest on the slopes of the Rothenbachkopf
The Rothenbachkopf (1,316 m)
The Vosges ridge from the Rothenbachkopf

Description of the walk

You can park in a small car park on the Route des Crêtes (before the descent to the Steinwasen farmhouse inn).

(S/E) From the car park, take the Red Rectangle-White Rectangle-Red Rectangle marked trail (a variant of the GT5) which heads north towards the Rothenbachkopf. After a few hundred metres, it reaches a junction.

(1) Turn right towards the summit of the Batteriekopf. Once at the summit, enjoy the panoramic views.

(2) Continue straight on, heading north towards the Rothenbachkopf. A few dozen metres from the summit, veer right to reach it.

(3) At the summit, take the small path on the right leading downhill, marked with a Red Disc. The path passes through beautiful forests and leads to the Steinwasen farmhouse inn.

(4) At the farm inn, take the uphill path marked with a Yellow Triangle. A little further on, leave the marked path and take the track on the right. At the very top, you will find the small car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,223 m - Car park in front of the Steinwasen farmhouse inn
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 1,238 m - Junction towards the Batteriekopf - Batteriekopf
  3. 2 : km 1.15 - alt. 1,310 m - Summit - Batteriekopf
  4. 3 : km 1.94 - alt. 1,314 m - Summit - Rothenbachkopf
  5. 4 : km 2.9 - alt. 1,137 m - Steinwasen Farm Inn
  6. S/E : km 4.13 - alt. 1,222 m - Car park in front of the Steinwasen farmhouse inn

Notes

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Good vibes
Good vibes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little hike with no particular difficulties, but make sure you wear suitable footwear!
It was very busy last weekend!
Thank you for this lovely little circular.

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lilas74
lilas74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easily accessible route offering beautiful scenery.

Machine-translated

eve33240
eve33240

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike suitable for beginners.
very enjoyable

Machine-translated

HoracioMiranda
HoracioMiranda

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It would be helpful to distinguish between the colour of the current route (pink) and the marked trails (red)

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