Cottages from the Herrenberg Pass to the Rainkopf, Altenweiher Lake

Car park 100 metres from the exit of Mittlach, after turning left in front of the hotel-restaurant and then going straight on at the bridge over the Große Fecht.

Red and white^GR®5signposting

(S/E) Set off along the path to the right of the road, heading south. Continue along this path, following the^GR® markings (Red Rectangle).

(1) At the junction with the forest track, keep left.

(2) When you reach the forest road, follow it to the right, then take the 180° left-hand bend.

(3) At the Fork in the road, turn right.

(4) Leave the forest track and take the path on the right, heading uphill; once you reach the first patches of stubble, cross them and continue with the forest on your right until you reach the Col du Herrenberg.

(5) Head north along the^GR®5alternative route (Red Rectangle, White Rectangle, Red Rectangle), veering to the right, and follow the ridge line from south to north.

(6) Walk past the Neurod shelter and continue northwards.

(7) Cross the Col du Batteriekopf (to avoid additional elevation gain, you can bypass these ‘kopf’ by going round them to the left along the ridge road (same markings).

(8) Continue via the Rothenbachkopf Pass. At the junction with the^GR®531(Blue Rectangle), keep right.

(9) Rainkopf: view of the summit of the Hohneck and the Altenweiher lake below; (you can also avoid climbing to the summit of the Rainkopf by turning left at the pass between the descent from the Rothenbachkopf and the ascent to the Rainkopf).
Start the descent, continuing northwards.

Yellow Cross markings

(10) Leave the^GR®531, which continues straight on, and turn immediately right towards the Altenweiher for a descent through the forest.

(11) At the end of the Altenweiher lake embankment, take a path on the right which runs alongside the lake’s overflow stream. Follow the forest track on the right.

(12) Kolben Fir Tree: To avoid the descent along the tarmac road to Mittlach, walk back up this road for a few dozen metres, passing the small chapel.

Blue Cross signposting

(13) After the bend to the right in the road, take the connecting path downhill, cross a footbridge and immediately rejoin the Blue Cross-marked path (Steinwasen – Mittlach) on the right as you descend. This path becomes a forest track (Chemin du Kolben) running alongside the stream until you reach the starting point (S/E).

The route passes very close to several farm inns (Herrenberg Pass: Huss Farm) (north of the Rainkopf: Ferschmuss Farm Inn) offering food and drink);