Circular Vosges, Hohneck, Lakes

Hello, I have a question about getting to the start: We’ll be arriving at Metzeral station (TER), and I’ve noticed this information, which would save us the 10 km walk to Lac de Blanchemer: “An alternative route is available, starting from Metzeral station (TER) and heading to Hohneck via the GR®5: 8.5 km with 900 m of elevation gain,”

We’d be very grateful if anyone could provide us with further details and more precise directions regarding this!

Thanks in advance

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Hello User 25888106,
You’re right, the quitudeattitude link wasn’t working any more, so I’ve changed it.

As for wild camping, in France it is permitted everywhere except:
- private land
- the vicinity of monuments, beaches, listed sites and water catchment areas
- protected sites such as Natura 2000 and nature reserves
- areas where local by-laws or local urban planning regulations (PLU) prohibit it

To put it simply, you should avoid towns and tourist spots; wild camping is often permitted in Nature Parks.
However, there are specific regulations for each Natural Park; the easiest thing to do is to check their website (quitudeattitude for the Vosges)
IGN maps also show protected natural areas, which are marked and delineated.

It’s worth checking this before setting off on a hike; once on the trails, there are signs specifying areas where camping is prohibited, which will confirm the regulations.

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Hello, I’d really like to go on this route, but I’m having trouble using the quietudeattitude website to find out where camping is permitted. Could you help me, if possible?

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Thanks so much

I must admit I’m a bit confused about the area and the ‘Quiétude Attitude’ site

I wouldn’t want to get it wrong

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Good evening,
You can find all the information about the campsite and the rules for dogs at: https://quietudeattitude.fr/ballons-vosg...
As for any difficulties, I can’t think of any, though you do need to bear in mind that I did the hike five years ago; otherwise, do feel free to have a look at the practical information and descriptions.

Have a lovely evening.

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Good evening,

I’m coming to La Bresse in mid-April with my dog,

I’d like to go on several hiking trips involving camping and travelling from place to place

Is this route dog-friendly? (Are there any restrictions? Any sections off-limits?)

How difficult is this route?

Is it easy enough to find places to camp?

Have a good evening

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Thank you for your reply

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Hello,
As far as I’m concerned, it’s ‘easily’ doable in two days. When I’m on my own, I go at my own pace: 20 km with 1,500 m ascent and 1,500 m descent. I complete it in 7 hours 30 minutes, including stops for photos and drinks… but without a lunch break.

That said, I’d say it depends on the walking group; if there are several of you, you chat, take more breaks, pay less attention to the path and get lost more often…

It also depends entirely on your navigation tools – whether that’s a map, a GPS watch or a mobile phone – and your sense of direction. The path isn’t always well signposted, and you sometimes have to switch GR routes or change direction, so using GPS navigation will definitely save you time!

I’d say that if you set off early enough – between 7 and 8 in the morning – you can finish the day by 4 or 5 in the afternoon, which leaves you a 1–2-hour buffer for any unforeseen issues.

That’s all!

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Hello, do you think this hike is doable in two days for keen walkers?
Kind regards

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Date of your route : Nov 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike I chose based on a rough estimate three days in advance. Really lovely. Fairly easy to get to from Paris (at a fairly reasonable cost – expect to pay 130 euros return at the last minute) if you get off at Metzeral.

Perhaps the author could add the car-free option, which involves setting aside two half-days to cover the Metzeral–Lac de Blanchemer route.

In any case, a brilliant hike, not very busy during the week, with stunning scenery and terrain that allows for plenty of flexibility if you fancy doing something a bit different from the route.

It was a brilliant introduction to the Vosges for me – thank you!!

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A brilliant hike
I went on this hike with a friend at the end of July 2024.
It was the very first hike for both of us.
It’s a really enjoyable walk (even if the climbs are a bit steep in places).
The signposting is clear and easy to follow for beginners like us.
A big thank you to the person who created this route.
A quick tip: once you reach Lac des Corbeaux, you can extend the walk by 4 km by climbing up to Rocher des Corbeaux – there’s a magnificent view of the lake.

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Hello,
All the information on camping sites at the start and end of each route is provided in the ‘Practical Information’ section (at the bottom) of each walk I have described.

Otherwise, depending on the location of the campsite, you should avoid private land, protected areas and areas closed by official order.
The INPN’s map of protected areas: https://inpn.mnhn.fr/viewer-carto/espace...
can help you find out about the specific regulations for your planned camping spot.
And the website: https://www.refuges.info/ can help you find a refuge or hut, whether staffed or unstaffed.

Have a good evening.

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Hello,
I’d like to know if we can camp on the square, or do we need to book, or is there a lodge available?
Thank you

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Date of your route : Jul 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, varied route with some beautiful views. You don’t walk very fast on the ‘mountain’ paths (rocks, roots, etc.) that go up or down, especially with a rucksack on your back.
There’s a fountain on the route, just past the Collet de l’Étang hut.
For a detailed description of the route, please refer to the three sections of the walk.

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Hello, as I haven’t done this route in winter, I can’t answer that question, but given that the Rainkopf is over 1,300 metres high, there’s a good chance that part of it will be covered in snow.
It all depends on your hiking kit, whether you’re using snowshoes or not…
Alternatively, perhaps the managers of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park will have the answer.

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