Country:
District:
To reach the starting point, from Metzeral, head towards Mittlach, and in the village, at the “Valneige” restaurant, take the small road on the right. Continue to the car park at the Kolben chapel, approximately 2 km away.
(S/E) From the car park, take the track heading north-east, then join the Yellow Cross marked trail which climbs to the left. This climbs fairly steadily up a steep but not excessive gradient.
(1) Once you reach the Altenweiher lake/dam, turn left, cross the dam and continue along the Yellow Cross-marked trail. Leaving the lake, the trail climbs gently at first before becoming much steeper with tight hairpin bends. The gradient eases as you pass through Pferrey before reaching the small pass of Rainkopf near the Club Vosgien du Rainkopf mountain hut and the Firstmiss farmhouse inn.
(2) At this junction, take the path on the left which climbs to Rainkopf.
(3) At the summit, there is a stunning 360° view. Continue in the same direction (south) down to the Col du Rothenbach.
(4) Continuing in the same direction, follow the red-white-red Red Rectangle markings and then the Red Disc which leads up to Rothenbachkopf, where the view is just as stunning.
(5) Begin the descent along the edge of the ridge (no danger: the path does not run right along the edge) whilst continuing to follow the Red Disc markings to the Steinwasen farmhouse inn.
(6) There, turn left and follow the Blue Cross markings on a continuous, gentle descent.
(7) Turn slightly left, still following the Blue Cross markings, towards Kolbenwasen.
(8) Before reaching the road, don’t miss the rock marking GPS point 448°N/7°E.
Once you reach the road, turn right and head back to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
