Circular route from Gaschney to the lakes of Fischboedle and Schiessrothried

Free parking at the end of the D310.

(S/E) Head due west and pass above the Ferme Auberge du Gaschney.

(1) Shortly afterwards, take the path down to the left, first through the forest, then across a meadow (GR®551 marked with a Blue Rectangle). At the end of this meadow, go through the wooden turnstile.

(2) Follow the wide forest path to the right (GR®551 marked with a Blue Rectangle) which leads to the dam at Lac du Schiessrodried.

(3) There is a table with benches at the start of the embankment and a small rocky beach at the other end. Cross the embankment.

(4) Turn left downhill onto the GR®5 (marked with a Red Rectangle). The path winds through the trees and partly follows the stream from Lake Schiessrodried. This winding GR®5 path (marked with a Red Rectangle) leads to Lake Fischboedle.

(5) Smaller than the previous one, but so full of charm. A beautiful octagonal wooden gazebo-style shelter with a table and benches awaits you in a picture-postcard setting; it has it all, surrounded by lovely vegetation, a scree slope at the back, a beautiful waterfall opposite, and fish in the water reflecting the surrounding peaks. Idyllic!
Walk along its left side.

(6) Cross the small metal bridge and leave the lake by following the Blue Cross-marked trail to the left.

(7) At the hairpin bend, keep right and follow the Blue Cross and Blue Triangle signposted path.

(8) Turn left and follow the Blue Cross signposted path.

(9) Short section with a handrail.

(10) You reach the summit, the Kerbholz plateau, offering a 360° view. Leaving the summit, there are two possible routes.

1. Head left towards Kastelsberg, then take the Sentiers des Névés. This route is significantly longer.
2. Follow the route shown on this map. Pass by the foot of the chalet and continue first to the left, then quickly to the right onto the Blue Rectangle downhill path. The path through the Combe de l’Ammelthal is quite difficult and requires some experience, so it should really be avoided by occasional walkers or beginners, even though it is secured along its entire length by handrails.
   As of May 2025, this path is closed by the prefecture due to a rockslide (see Practical Information below). A diversion is in place pending repairs; when we were there, the information was not signposted at the top and was only visible at the bottom, so it’s too late by the time you see it as you will have already taken the path. You will have to wait until the path reopens.

Following the Blue Rectangle-marked path to the right, you’ll encounter the first set of difficulties, with handrails and iron pitons securing the tricky sections. Proceed with caution.

(11) At the footbridge spanning the Ruisseau de la Wormsa, continue along the path to the vast scree slope beneath the Spitzkoeple.

(12) Cross carefully over large boulders and various scree for a good hundred metres. The Blue Rectangle markings for the path are painted on the rocks; look carefully and follow them, staying at virtually the same level throughout the scree crossing. The view is fantastic.

(13) At the fork, turn right onto the path marked with a Blue Rectangle and follow it to Lake Schiessrothried.

(4) Retrace your steps along the route taken on the way out, crossing the dam.

(3) Follow the path on the right, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, to reach the car park (S/E).

Due to the latest rockfalls on the Spitzkoepfe face on 29 January 2024, by prefectural order, the path leading from Lake Schiessrothried to Kerbholz (and vice versa) is temporarily closed.

Route mapped, tested and approved by Les Branquignol.e.s – The famous group of Alsatian friends, hikers and bon vivants, who are having a blast in May 2025.

Gaschney360 Farm Inn
Lieu-dit Gaschney,
68380 Muhlbach-sur-Munster
03 89 77 61 54
contact@gaschney360.fr

(closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)