Walk around Rouge Gazon

de fr

Forest loop at Ballon d'Alsace starting from Chaume du Rouge Gazon, passing by Lac des Perches and the Neuweiher lakes.

Details

n°178990
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 547 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 539 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,202 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 818 m
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Photos

Quiet trail
Climbing spot for those who enjoy it
Heather?
Steep path in the woods

Description of the walk

Access: meet at the Chaume du Rouge Gazon car park. This can be reached via the D66 from Remiremont via Le Thillot, Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle and the Col de Bussang. In Saint-Maurice/Moselle, take the D90, which will take you there via Les Charbonniers. Rouge Gazon is the terminus of the D90 and is also a ski resort with a mountain refuge.

(S) Leave the inn on your right and join the path that passes behind the buildings. Continue to a three-way junction.

(1) Take the path (blue rectangle) and enter the forest to climb up to the Col des Perches junction.

(2) Cross theGR®5, continue straight ahead and descend along a fairly steep path to the right of the Lac des Perches reservoir.

(3) Cross the reservoir and, at the end, at the information sign for the lake, take the small path on the left (blue rectangle) which climbs back up into the forest to the Rocher du Corbeau.
Continue, keeping right at the junction for Moyenne Bers, until you reach a three-way junction for Haute Bers.

(4) Keep left, going around Moyenne Bers, then descend via a series of hairpin bends towards the Neuweiher lakes. Pass between the two lakes on the right. Turn right towards the inn, leaving Petit Neuweiher on your left. Continue to the inn via the forest road.

(5) Continue along this road, passing the inn. Go uphill and after 400 metres and a hairpin bend, take the path on the rightGR® 531 - blue rectangle.

(6) Continue on thisGR® 531 - Blue rectangle in the forest until you reach the Gresson farmhouse inn. At the exit of the hamlet, leave the road and continue to the right, always following the blue rectangle.

(7) Turn right at the blue cross-blue triangle junction and continue for 150m, then turn right at the blue triangle. Follow this path to the Col des Charbonniers and rejoin theGR® 5 - 5F red rectangle.

(8) Turn right and continue on thisGR® 5 - 5F red rectangle. Pass under the source of the Hêtre and then above the Haute Bers refuge. After 100m, turn left onto theGR® 5F blue/white/blue rectangle

(9) Continue climbing on thisGR® 5F for about 600m at an altitude of 1189m.

(10) Turn left and descend along thisGR® 5F blue/white/blue rectangle to Chaume de Rouge Gazon and then the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,090 m - La Chaume car park - Rouge Gazon
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 1,095 m - At the three-way junction, take the middle path
  3. 2 : km 1.02 - alt. 1,071 m - Go straight ahead - Col des Perches
  4. 3 : km 1.43 - alt. 986 m - Cross - Lac des Perches
  5. 4 : km 2.66 - alt. 1,079 m - Three-way junction, left
  6. 5 : km 4.55 - alt. 828 m - Inn, on the left - Lac du Grand Neuweiher
  7. 6 : km 5 - alt. 862 m - Crossroads, turn right
  8. 7 : km 6.29 - alt. 969 m - Blue rectangle - blue triangle intersection
  9. 8 : km 7.58 - alt. 1,097 m - Col des Charbonniers GR 5 - 5F
  10. 9 : km 9.91 - alt. 1,128 m - At the top of the ski lift, descend to the left
  11. 10 : km 10.51 - alt. 1,190 m - Junction at the top of the slopes
  12. S/E : km 11.29 - alt. 1,090 m - Chaume de Rouge Gazon car park

Notes

Refreshments are available on your return at the Rouge Gazon mountain refuge or halfway at the Neuweiher inn

At , you can join a forest road by turning left for 150m and then taking a forest path on the right until you reach the forest road. Keeping to the right will take you directly back to Rouge Gazon.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 35 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
CATH14/25
CATH14/25

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with two 13-year-old teenagers.
The route is really nice with lakes, forests, valleys, different terrains and beautiful views.
The only downside is section 7-8: luckily, as we did the route in reverse, we had it at the beginning of the route. Lots of fallen trees, trees that are threatening to fall, no path at this point.
The hike should be modified at this point
We still took less time than described, including a picnic break.

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Isabelle39500
Isabelle39500

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A bit slippery on the descent to Lac des Perches, but it had rained heavily the day before. Lots of ropes to help you along.A superb hike with clear explanations... magnificent landscapes and I was able to enjoy some wild blueberries and raspberries. Passage 7-8 still closed in August due to fallen trees, but this does not detract from the circuit, quite the contrary 🙏

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Simon Dominique
Simon Dominique

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The 7:8 Gresson haut-col des Charbonniers pass is still closed due to potential falling trees. The suggested detour extends the duration of the hike (please take this into account), but it is well signposted

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Guy Nougues
Guy Nougues

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

From Rouge Gazon, there is a slightly tricky descent to Lac des Perchés. Take a short break at the lake. Then climb back up to Rocher du Corbeau. There is a beautiful view of the Doller Valley. Then there is a long descent to Lac du Neuweihr. There are beautiful views around the lake.
Lunch break at the lake inn. (Good food)
Return via the lake tour, passing through the SEPPIWEG to turn left and take the beautiful climb up to the Tête du Gazon Rouge. Finally, you will reach your starting point.

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Pioupiou70
Pioupiou70

A superb hike that we have put together:
The start (the three-way junction) is to the left of the building.
Follow the path towards Col des Perches, marked with a blue rectangle.
Keep following the blue rectangle to Lac des Perches and Lacs Neuweihler (good descent)
At the Neuweihler lakes, cross between the two and follow the blue rectangle with a white stripe towards the red grass (gentle climb)
It took us 4 hours and we covered 12 km!
The original route seemed longer to me, but I wasn't mistaken!

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patrick vaxelaire
patrick vaxelaire

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful hike with a fairly difficult descent to reach Lac des Perches
a beautiful viewpoint above the Rouge Gazon slopes

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Marie Françoise Marcassin
Marie Françoise Marcassin

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Luckily, the route was well-travelled! Very poor directions in the text, some of which were even incorrect.
Impossible to find your way without an IGN map, and even then it was difficult. The text needs to be completely rewritten, especially at the start!!!

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RANDONNEUR88
RANDONNEUR88

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike on 31 August 2023: magnificent views of the beautiful lakes. The Cresson farmhouse inn is not open every day, so check if you want to eat there... On the way back, I had to look for the path in two places because it was not signposted... or poorly signposted. This route is a real change of scenery. I loved it.

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Pierrot DAVID
Pierrot DAVID

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk in our stunning Vosges mountains.
Please note that between 7 and 8 (Cresson Haut/Col des Charbonniers), the blue triangle trail is closed. Take a detour to the left, following the blue crosses. This is an opportunity to climb La Roche de l'Enfer, which offers a view that is well worth the effort. (Picnic table available.)

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frenchydoc1
frenchydoc1

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that can be easily adapted. For my part, I bypassed Lac des Perches (already done), points 2 and 3 to go directly to point 4. However, I extended the hike to Gresson Haut. No problem, the signage is good up to that point. I agree with the other reviews regarding the return (points 8, 9, 10), which I found poorly marked and unsuitable: a wild path with poor signage. I recommend returning via Haute Bers, which is well marked and a pleasant, clear path. The wild Neuweiher lake is beautiful and relaxing, and the welcome at the lakeside inn is very friendly in the spirit of the Vosges club; don't hesitate to stop for a break. Allow for a hike of between 12 and 14 km depending on the route you take. I should point out that the Gresson farm was closed to hikers, who were forced to go around it due to a sign. Not very nice!

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philrandovilaine
philrandovilaine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk between ridges, lakes and grasslands, which we extended by passing through the Gazon Vert, which is definitely worth a detour. What's more, you can stop off at the refuge next door.
However, we cut straight across from Haute Bers to reach Rouge Gazon via the ridge. On the way, we enjoyed a magnificent view of Lac des Perches from the Tête des Perches. And there were lots of blueberries!
Thanks to the Club Vosgien for maintaining all the paths and signposts that we were able to follow.

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Nog
Nog

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful walk that is quite popular in the area. However, please pay attention to the explanations and at the end of the walk:
For example, at the first point, the first three-way junction is in the car park near the inn and not behind the inn at all.
Similarly, the trail between points 8 and 9 is no longer a path at all. You pass through plantations, with no trail on the ground, no markings and no visual interest, and no view of the ridge line to finish the last 400 metres in a restricted area designated as a "wildlife quiet zone".
It is better to continue along the main path to the next crossroads and turn right, then right again at the three-way junction 150 m further on, along the forest road until you return to the bottom of the tracks.

Otherwise, the high Bers stubble field is magnificent!

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Axel G
Axel G

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike: one small downside on the route between points 8 and 9, where quite a few fallen trees make it difficult to see the path clearly (although the GPS works well). This section also passes through a wildlife sanctuary (and is therefore off-limits)

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Laurence et Pascal
Laurence et Pascal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, even with some rain. Definitely worth doing. Some difficult sections, so best suited to experienced walkers.
Comments on the route:
- between 8 and 9: follow the white rectangles on the trees and then the markers parallel to the ridge line. The climb is difficult at the end of the route and the branches sometimes make it difficult to know which way to go, but with the white rectangles, we managed fine.
- After 9: leave the route to admire the view from the Tête des Perches, then the path descends back to the starting point

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irma70
irma70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful walk despite a storm. The children enjoyed the little paths, but there were lots of fallen trees, so you need to be careful as some areas are not safe. Overall, it was a lovely day and we will return to the area for more walks.

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Walking Short circular around Lac des Perches

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A very beautiful circular trail with a wide variety of landscapes: beech and fir forests, meadows and pastures, and Vosges lakes nestled in their green surroundings. The trails themselves are equally varied: steep and rocky, wide and gently sloping, or narrow paths between the trees. Some beautiful viewpoints. Several possible stops in inns (check closing days) or mountain huts.

Walking Sternsee, Neuweiher lakes, Col des Charbonniers from Rouge Gazon

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This is a beautiful, fairly challenging route that will take you to Sternsee (Perch Lake), the Neuweiher lakes through the forest and stubble fields, then to the Col des Charbonniers before returning to Rouge-Gazon. You will be able to admire the view of the Alsace plain and the Alps on several occasions when the weather is fine.

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