The broom trail between Metzeral and Muhlbach

A pretty loop around the heights of Metzeral and Muhlbach with beautiful views of the Grande Vallée, the Vosges ridges and the Hohneck massif.

The Kuhfeil lookout offers a breathtaking view of Metzeral. It is also a place of remembrance. Bitter fighting took place here during the Battle of Metzeral in 1915.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 134 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 133 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 606 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 463 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
  • ⚐ District: Metzeral (68380)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.012752° / E 7.073213°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Metzeral.
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3618OT, 3618OTR, 3619OT, 3619OTR, 3719OT, 3719OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

You can park in the station car park or simply come by train!

Red Ring signposting along the entire route

(S/E) From the station car park, walk 40 m up Rue de la Gare.

(1) Turn left into Rue de la Carrière. The path, which is tarmac at first, then becomes dirt. Further on, take the small path on the left between the quarry and the Fecht. The path continues along Rue de l'Église in Muhlbach and joins Chemin du Kraehenbergweg.

(2) Turn right, passing the sports hall and football stadium. Continue straight ahead on the path that passes over the Muhlbach fishing pond. You will come to a bend on the right.

(3) After this bend, take the path on the left towards the Kuhfeil. Cross a forest track, go as far as the Kuhfeil lookout and then descend towards the centre of Metzeral. At the bottom of the hill, at the crossroads, take the path on the right that passes above the modern nursery school and rejoins the intersection you passed on the outward journey.

(1) Turn left into Rue de la Gare to reach the station(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 480 m - Parking de la - Gare de Metzeral
  2. 1 : km 0.06 - alt. 481 m - Joint A/R junction
  3. 2 : km 1.38 - alt. 463 m - Fork, right Chemin du Kraehenbergweg
  4. 3 : km 2.94 - alt. 597 m - Cross
  5. S/E : km 4.23 - alt. 480 m - Parking de la - Gare de Metzeral

Practical information

Car park at Metzeral station, with the option of coming by train.
Picnic tables and benches along the way.

Catering and refreshments available:

  • Restaurant/terrace "Le Soleil d'Or", in the centre of Metzeral.

In the nearby area

Beautiful panoramic views :

  • over the village of Muhlbach and the north side of the valley,
  • over the village of Metzeral and the valley floor, dominated by the Rothenbachkopf and the Hohneck massif, from the Kuhfeil lookout.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
G. Philippe
G. Philippe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk with a beautiful view of the village at the top and just after crossing the broom field; very nice (if you go for a walk in May )

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User 25564550

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

pleasant route ending in a magnificent field of broom

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phmess.85
phmess.85

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This easy trail is best done in May when the broom is in flower.
Note that the primrose trail is a variant of the broom trail and can be done on the same day.

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bruno68z
bruno68z

The Kuhfeil belvedere is also a place of remembrance, where fighting took place during the Battle of Metzeral in 1915.

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bruno68z
bruno68z

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful walk on the heights of Metzeral, offering fine views, particularly from the Kuhfeil promontory. The route follows tarmac forest roads, footpaths and tracks. There is a slight lack of signposting after the Muhlbach fishing pond as you pass by an old renovated marcairie (two houses adjoining each other), but just go straight up to the bend at the end of which the path (on the left) leads to the Kuhfeil.

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