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District:
Access: From the centre of Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle, take the small road (D90) that runs alongside the Ruisseau des Charbonniers. After the hamlet of Les Charbonniers, the road begins to climb up to Chaume du Rouge Gazon: car park and hotel.
Blue rectangle markings (GR®531)
(S) When you leave the hotel, walk along the right-hand side, then climb up to the right along the path that enters the forest. Follow it to the Col des Perches.
Red rectangular markings (GR®5F/7)
(1) After going around the Tête des Perches, you will arrive at the pass of the same name, a crossroads of several paths; take the one furthest to the right, which starts on the flank below the Tête des Perches; this path goes around the Lac des Perches halfway up the slope. The path leaves the forest and enters an open meadow; it runs alongside the forest towards the Haute Bers refuge.
Blue-white-blue markings
(2) Just before the refuge, take the path on the left that crosses diagonally across the meadow.
Blue rectangular markings (GR®531)
(3) When you re-enter the forest, the trail crosses another trail, which you should take on the left to first go around the head of the Moyenne Bers, then descend the steep slope towards the lakes.
(4) Cross the dam between the two lakes; this is a very pretty spot, so feel free to stop here for a mid-morning break. At the end of the dam, continue around the lake until you reach the entrance to the Club Vosgien grounds.
(5) Climb the path on the left, which crosses the access road to the Club Vosgien twice; continue to follow the path, which is steep at first but then becomes easier until you leave the forest.
(6) Pass by the Ferme-Auberge du Gresson Moyen. Cross the courtyard, continue for about 100 metres, then follow the path that climbs to the right into the pastures. Cross these before descending and re-entering the forest. Follow the farm track through the forest to the Refuge d'Isenbachpar.
(7) At the Refuge d'Isenbach (refreshments available at weekends), continue along the farm track which descends gently, turning into the thalweg.
(8) Before reaching Rocher du Knapen (marked by a climbing rock), leave the road and take the path to the right that crosses the Isenbach stream.
Red signpost
(9) When you reach the end of the Lac d'Alfeld dam, climb the steep zigzag path on the right, which passes by a beautiful series of waterfalls. Be careful: several trails can lead to dead ends that are difficult to cross. It is important to follow the red signposts.
(10) At the refuge, take advantage of the beautiful view of the valley to take a break; then continue along the marked trail, which is quite steep at first, then levels out onto a small plateau.
Red-white-red markings
(11) At the ruins, the trail splits into two branches; leave the one on the left that goes towards Ballon d'Alsace and take the trail on the right, which continues on a gentle slope at first, passes other ruins a little further on, then a little later, resumes the steeper slope and crosses new ruins (Oberer Wasserfall). The path then turns left uphill and joins another path (GR®5) a little further up.
Red rectangular markings (GR®5F/7)
(12) Take the path on the right along the hillside. This joins the ridge.
Red-white-red markings
(13) At the crossroads, leave the hillside and take the alternative route that climbs up to the ridge and the Col des Charbonniers.
This route passes by a beautiful viewpoint (with tables and chairs) overlooking the Lac d'Alfeld valley.
(14) Follow the ridge path via the Col des Charbonniers to rejoin theGR® a little further on.
(15) There is a lovely viewpoint, particularly over the two Neuweiher lakes. Then continue along theGR® on the side of the ridge, on a very gentle slope, to the Refuge de la Haute Bers, which you will see shortly after setting off on the hike.
Blue-white-blue markings
(2) Shortly after the refuge, climb left onto the path that gently ascends to the ridge line.
(16) Once at the top, follow the markings along the ridge line to the trail junction, with a meadow on the left and a fairly steep slope on the right.
(17) Cross the fence and climb up the meadow at the edge of the woods to the viewpoint above the last ski lift support.
(18) View of Lac des Perches and beyond to the Alsace plain; then descend northwards, following the tracks in the meadow that run more or less along the edge of the woods, and return to the sheepfold (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
