At the summit of the Altmattkopf

A short, very pleasant walk along lovely paths dotted with beautiful viewpoints. An unmissable spot for understanding the Battle of Metzeral, which raged in June 1915, with information boards on site.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.77 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 594 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 610 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,251 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,657 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: from Munster via the D10 towards Muhlbach-sur-Munster. Before leaving the village, turn right towards the Gaschney Ski Resort until you reach the car park.

(S/E) Walk down the road towards Muhlbach for a few hundred metres, following the Blue Disc markings.
Keep to this path on the left towards the Sattel until you reach a crossroads of trails.

(1) Take the path on the right towards the Altmattkopf, marked with a Blue Saltire signpost, until you reach the rest area, then cross the road and head down the small path that runs alongside the pasture. At the end, cross the road again and continue towards the Altmattkopf.

(2) Turn left onto the Altmattkopf circular trail, which features remains from the Great War. Breathtaking views. Return to the previous junction.

(2) Continue across the stubble fields that slope down into the valley. Carry on through the pastures, descending towards Schneidenbach via the Blue Disc trail. Reach the lowest point at the junction of several paths.

(3) Head back up, following the Blue Disc markings, until you reach an inverted V-shaped ladder.

(4) Climb over it by stepping over the wire fence, cross the forest track and rejoin the Blue Disc-marked path, heading uphill to a wide track.

(5) Turn right onto this path until you reach the road. Follow the road to the left to return to the Gaschney car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,251 ft - Gaschney car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.31 - alt. 3,209 ft - Crossroads towards the Almattkopf
  3. 2 : mi 1.35 - alt. 2,848 ft - Circular trail of the - Altmattkopf (877m)
  4. 3 : mi 2 - alt. 2,661 ft - Low point
  5. 4 : mi 2.38 - alt. 3,022 ft - Ladder crossing
  6. 5 : mi 2.54 - alt. 3,189 ft - Junction with a wide path
  7. S/E : mi 2.77 - alt. 3,251 ft - Gaschney car park

Notes

(4) Take care here: there is a ladder crossing over a fenced-off area which is impassable for a dog. If this is the case, continue along the path to the right, following the fence, and 300 metres further on, climb steeply through the woods until you reach a path at the top; take this path to the left to rejoin the road leading to the car park.

Names and meanings of the Club Vosgien trail markers.

Worth a visit

(2) Altmattkopf: Stunning views of the Petit Ballon, the Schnepfenriedkopf and the Metzeral valley. The Altmattkopf is visited by descending and following the supply routes from the Altmattkopf to the fallback area. On your right is the Petit Hohneck, from where equipment and provisions were brought in.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
PaulVisoRando
PaulVisoRando

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It’s not easy to follow the marked route

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BrigitteST
BrigitteST

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on Sunday, 22 February, wet weather, drizzle, poor visibility of the landscape.
For this hike, good walking shoes (waterproof) are necessary due to the damp vegetation and some snowy sections between points 4 and 5.
Walking poles were necessary for a few slightly steep and slippery sections due to weather conditions.
I will definitely return on a clear day to see the scenery.

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Sam68380
Sam68380

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the footsteps of history’s great events

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk, apart from the final climb, which might be a bit of a challenge for those who aren’t used to it. Beautiful views, and an explanation at the summit of the Altmattkop for history buffs (and everyone else too).

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