Champ du Feu circular loop

Parking is available at the Serva car park, situated along the Route de la Serva, almost opposite the Chalet du Champ du Feu; to get there:
- if you are facing the Hôtel-Restaurant-Spa Mont Champ du Feu, continue along the D414 towards Belmont, pass the coach parks and find the free public car park 200 m further on.
- If you are in front of the Cheval Alsace lodge, you have gone too far.

(S/E) Stay on the same side as the Serva car parks, walk a few metres back up towards the east and, on your right, you will find the pedestrian start point; a large sign indicates the direction.
Head into the forest, heading south, and follow the cross-country ski trails for a while without actually using them, until you reach the Rocher de la Princesse Emma.

(1) Continue southwards until you reach the junction with the marked trail, Yellow Cross, maintained by the Club Vosgien.

(2) Take it to the left, down a short descent, to reach the Rocher de l'Edelweiss.

(3) Continue the descent, find the Blue Rectangle marked trail (GR®531) to reach the large junction at the Col de la Charbonnière.

(4) Just before a car park, cross the D214 to the left, taking care, and then take the path with dual markings, Yellow Saltire and Red Ring, to reach another Y-shaped junction.

(5) Keep left on the Red Ring path and, at the bottom of the descent, reach the Kaelberhuette Farm.

(6) Turn left onto the ascending path, marked with a Red Ring and Blue Cross. After a fairly long, steady climb, you’ll reach the old Hochfeld downhill ski runs. Enjoy the lovely view here on a clear day.

(7) Turn right, cross the small stream fed by the Andlau springs; just a little further up, it may be hidden under the snow; continue to follow the dual markings. At the highest point, veer left to descend easily to the Champ de Feu roundabout.

(8) Continue straight ahead, passing at the foot of the tower, to reach the sheltered, slightly sloping area among the fir trees. Head back up towards the road and, a few metres before reaching it, turn left onto a path marked for pedestrians, which runs along the right-hand side of the cross-country ski trail and the D214 road, on your left. Follow it downhill, then follow the red-white-red Red Rectangle markers to return to the Serva car park (S/E).

Important note: snowshoe hiking can be done independently on the Club Vosgien’s marked trails or via the resort, provided they do not cross a downhill or cross-country ski run. Please note: a small section of the signposting was not yet complete at the time of our visit in early December 2023, but we were told it was due to be finished in the following days. In any case, you can’t go wrong.
Marked routes: available from the Serva Tourist Office.
Please note: cross-country ski trails are, by local by-law, reserved for cross-country skiers.

Hazeman hire for all winter sports equipment, located below the hotel.
(Very helpful – they immediately repaired the circular fastening strap on one of our hikers’ snowshoes.)

Catering
(S/E) Mont Champ du Feu Hotel - Restaurant - Spa (next to the car park at the start).
(4) Auberge de la Charbonnière at the Col de la Charbonnière; the route passes by it roughly halfway along the route.
(8) The covered shelter with tables and benches at the Tour du Champ du Feu, located north of the Tour roundabout, 100 metres slightly downhill amongst the fir trees.

Route mapped out, tested and approved by: Les Branquignol.e.s – The famous group of Alsatian friends, hikers and epicureans, who are having a great time on 6 December 2023.

Understanding the Club Vosgien trail markings.

Auberge de la Rothlach on the D214 heading north-east, about 5 km away.
Andlau Waterfall at Hohwald, heading towards Andlau, about 10 km away.