Four Lakes Circuit in the Vosges

de fr

Hike in the Alsatian Vosges from Lac Blanc to Lac Vert and return via Lac des Truites and Lac Noir. These are three loops that follow on from each other so well that you can shorten the route at two points.

Details

n°172683
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.85 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 797 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 806 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,304 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 955 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Lac Blanc
Tray
Lake forlet
Forlet Lake

Description of the walk

Meet at the Lac Blanc car park. This can be reached from the Col du Bonhomme. Leave the D415 at the Col du Bonhomme and take the Route des Crêtes (D148) to the Col du Calvaire, then head towards Orbey on the D4811 to Lac Blanc.

(S/E) Leave the car park on the left until you reach a large path.

(1) Take the second path on the left. Climb quickly up the switchbacks and the path will take you to a first three-way junction above the Rochers du Hans.

(2) Turn right and continue to the source of Lac Blanc.

(3) Turn left, then right at the three-way junction until you reach the Chemin des Crêtes, which follows theGR®5.

(4) Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the three-way junction at Soultzeren Eck at Gazon du Faing.

(5) Turn right and continue along the path (GR®5) to Taubenklangfelsen and keep left until you reach Gazon de Faîte.

(6) Continue, keeping right at each fork, until you reach a small car park on the Route de Crêtes (D61) at Dreieck.

(7) Take the path (GR®5) furthest to the right for 300 metres, then leave theGR®5and descend to the left along a small path towards Lac Vert until you reach a fork overlooking the access road to the lake.

(8) Take the path on the left to Lac Vert and walk around it on the left until you reach the forest road leading to the lake.

(9) Turn left, then immediately right and follow this road, turning left at the second bend. Take a small path on the right that will take you up to the Gaertlesrain farm. Go around the farm on the right and continue along the path.

(10) Pass the Erichson refuge. Keep right until you reach a house.

(11) At the three-way junction, take the path on the right and continue straight ahead until you reach Lac des Truites.

(12) Go around the lake on the left, pass the farmhouse inn and continue to a crossroads. Keep left and climb up the hairpin bends, continuing straight ahead.

(13) Pass close to the Altenkraehkopf. Go straight down at the next two crossroads and continue straight ahead until you reach a forest road (a map or GPS is very useful for this section of the descent). Cross this road and continue along the path that descends opposite and crosses the road. Continue along the path opposite until you reach a three-way junction.

(14) Take the path on the left that will take you down to the Black Lake. At the cross, take the path that runs along the lake on the left. Go straight ahead at the junction above the power station. After passing under the high-voltage line, keep left at the three-way junction and climb until you find a larger path.

(15) Turn left and climb until you cross a forest road. Continue straight ahead until you reach a three-way junction. Turn left and pass under the high-voltage line, then keep right and follow this path until you reach a forest road.

(16) Turn left and continue on this forest road until you reach the D4811 departmental road. 50m before, take the path on the left until you reach a three-way junction.

(17) Turn right onto the path that will take you back to the Lac Blanc car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,059 m - Parking - Lac Blanc (massif des Vosges)
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 1,059 m - At the fork in the path, take the left-hand path uphill.
  3. 2 : km 0.73 - alt. 1,237 m - At the Hans rock fork, turn right.
  4. 3 : km 1.31 - alt. 1,278 m - At the fork in the lake, take the left path.
  5. 4 : km 1.57 - alt. 1,298 m - At the fork with the GR5, turn left.
  6. 5 : km 2.99 - alt. 1,303 m - At the Gazon du Faing fork, turn right.
  7. 6 : km 4.26 - alt. 1,301 m - At the Gazon de Faîte fork, turn right.
  8. 7 : km 5.29 - alt. 1,228 m - Dreieck car park, keep right.
  9. 8 : km 6.69 - alt. 1,067 m - At the fork, turn left towards the lake.
  10. 9 : km 7.85 - alt. 1,061 m - At the fork in the forest road, turn left. - Lac Vert ou de Soultzeren (Vosges)
  11. 10 : km 8.6 - alt. 1,167 m - Chalet Erichson
  12. 11 : km 8.86 - alt. 1,141 m - At the three-way junction, turn right.
  13. 12 : km 10.04 - alt. 1,076 m - At the Lac des Truites fork, turn left.
  14. 13 : km 11.31 - alt. 1,270 m - Altenkraehkopf
  15. 14 : km 12.67 - alt. 1,012 m - At the three-way junction, turn left.
  16. 15 : km 14.63 - alt. 1,030 m - At the fork, turn left.
  17. 16 : km 15.52 - alt. 1,024 m - At the fork in the forest road, turn left.
  18. 17 : km 16.59 - alt. 1,060 m - At the three-way junction, turn right.
  19. S/E : km 16.85 - alt. 1,057 m - Lac Blanc car park

Notes

Refreshments are available at the Lac des Truites farmhouse inn, which serves Alsatian specialities.

Options for shortening the hike:
- At the crossing point (5), you can descend directly to Lac Noir and return to the starting point.
- 300m after the crossing point (5), you can descend directly to Lac des Truites and return to the starting point.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 76 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 14895774

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that is likely to be very busy in high season as it is accessible by car from several points. Suitable for experienced hikers.

Machine-translated

User 25339913

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It really is a challenging hike due to the technical nature of the paths, with plenty of rocks, a few sections requiring a bit of scrambling, and steep climbs towards the end… not for beginners.

The GPX track was inaccurate; the line wasn’t on the path, and the return trail to Lac Noir is closed!!

Magnificent views, too many people for my liking, especially up to the Gazon du Faing...

Worth doing if you’ve got strong knees

Machine-translated

User 14955432

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed in February, crampons recommended.
Passage closed in the second half of the route due to forestry work, detour required.

Machine-translated

Sonneur
Sonneur

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route, which I put together as a hiking guide, was completed as part of a reconnaissance hike. It is the result of combining different sections of the route marked out by the Club Vosgien. It was completed in an anti-clockwise direction.
The IBP rating for this circuit is 82, meaning that it requires a good level of fitness.
Special feature: after the climb from Lac Noir, the descent to Lac Blanc can be described as technical or even difficult, as it takes you through a maze of rocks with a few via ferrata sections.
This circuit is not recommended in wet weather or when the ground is wet.
It does, however, offer magnificent views of the Alsace plain on one side and the Vosges mountains on the other, as well as a bird's eye view of the Lac Vert, Lac des Truites, Lac Noir and Lac Blanc lakes.

Best regards,
Jean Fiacre Fiacre
Leader of the Sonneurs de la Côte association.

Machine-translated

MASSET94320
MASSET94320

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Varied route, pleasant but very busy.

Machine-translated

ghnassia
ghnassia

Very beautiful route! The first part is challenging. Rock climbing up to Hans Castle. Short aerial section. Diverse landscapes for the rest! And fairly easy! All the farm inns were closed! Too bad, except for the very nice Vosges club. They serve drinks and pies

Machine-translated

User 25658249

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I loved this hike. There were a few good climbs along the route, but with good shoes and stamina, they weren't insurmountable! The section on the grass at the end is really beautiful. The trails are very varied throughout.
You can shorten the route if you start to feel tired 😉
Personally, I didn't do the green lake as I've already been there several times on my last hikes. Not too crowded, except around the lakes.

Machine-translated

Olivier Millot
Olivier Millot

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello ,
Despite the cold wind on the ridge, I really enjoyed this hike. Super 360° views. I did this hike in 6h02 with a difference in altitude of 939m+ and 935m- and a distance of 18.68km.

Machine-translated

ghnassia
ghnassia
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very fine route. It should be pointed out that the start of the route (Lac Blanc) is quite strenuous, with a long climb over rocks and a short but safe aerial passage to the Château de Hans. Otherwise, the rest is easy and fairly long. There's a lovely section through stubble fields. The end, however, is rather complex. We didn't find the last section, probably because of rockslides blocking the way. You'll need a large map to follow it! At that time of year, the farm inns were closed, so bring a picnic.

Machine-translated

Axel___________________
Axel___________________

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike on snow with crampons at the end of December.

Machine-translated

Na nie
Na nie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk

Machine-translated

Sabinedamvi
Sabinedamvi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk with beautiful views. And beautiful flora. You need a minimum of stamina, but the walk is not particularly difficult. We did it in our trail running shoes. There's a farmhouse inn along the way.
It's the kind of hike we like: scenery, flora and not too many people!

Machine-translated

Nature57
Nature57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a very fine walk, offering magnificent scenery, but it is not recommended for beginners as it is difficult in places. The successive ascents and descents require you to be in good physical condition. The first ascent from Lac Blanc is tough. Apart from that, the diversity and beauty of the Vosges landscapes make this a really interesting hike.

Machine-translated

Hermès07
Hermès07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk with beautiful views of the lakes. We set off early, so not many people, but the car park was full on the way back. You can dip your feet in the Lac Blanc but it's not recommended. The climb is a bit steep but well worth the diversions. Then a beautiful plateau with a magnificent 360-degree view. Doing it backwards should be interesting to finish on the plateau. In this sense, the end can be tiring with the last short climb on the way back. Really magnificent for all the lakes, very well signposted.

Machine-translated

JACQUEMIN
JACQUEMIN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

CLEAR

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The four lakes from Lac Blanc

Visorando member
Les quatre lacs depuis le Lac Blanc
↔14.79 km ↗+522 m ↘-520 m ◔5h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Orbey (Haut-Rhin)
A magnificent hike with trails that are sometimes alpine in character.

Walking Tour of four Alsatian lakes

Association / Club / Walk leader
Tour de quatre lacs alsaciens
↔16.40 km ↗+743 m ↘-742 m ◔6h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Orbey (Haut-Rhin)
An exceptional hike offering panoramic views of successive lakes. There are a few challenging climbs, but it's well worth the effort. Best done in good weather to fully enjoy the views available to hikers.

Walking Tour around Blanc and Noir lakes

Visorando member
Tour des lacs Blanc et Noir
↔9.03 km ↗+559 m ↘-551 m ◔4h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Orbey (Haut-Rhin)
A pretty walk, alternating between rises and descents following sinuous winds and paths over ridges with magnificent views. ‘’The’’ meeting place for local chamois.

Walking Tête des Faux and Duchesne Cemetery from Col du Calvaire

Visorando member
Tête des Faux et Cimetière Duchesne à partir du Col du Calvaire
↔7.25 km ↗+160 m ↘-164 m ◔2h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Bonhomme (Haut-Rhin)
A memorial hike to a small peak that was the scene of violent clashes in 1914-1915, traces of which are still visible on the ground. Along the way, you will pass the very moving Duchesne Cemetery located in the middle of the forest.

Walking Tour of Lac Blanc via the Ferme-auberge du Pré Bracot

Tourism professional
↔10.63 km ↗+528 m ↘-536 m ◔4h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Bonhomme (Haut-Rhin)
This circular route, starting from the Lac Blanc resort, takes in some of the most beautiful sites in the Hautes Vosges (Gazon du Faing, Château Hans) and ends at the Ferme-auberge du Pré Bracot.

Walking L'Étang du Devin via the Tête des Faux

Visorando member
L'Étang du Devin par la Tête des Faux
↔10.27 km ↗+441 m ↘-448 m ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Bonhomme (Haut-Rhin)
A lovely walk through the woods starting from the Lac Blanc winter sports resort.The Étang du Devin is the main attraction of this hike, offering beautiful views of the Béhtine Valley.Memories of the First World War hang over the first part of the walk.A hike best undertaken in fine weather or in winter when there is a lack of snow.

Walking Around the Tête des Faux from the Col du Calvaire via the Étang du Devin

Visorando member
Autour de la Tête des Faux depuis le Col du Calvaire via l'Étang du Devin
↔12.67 km ↗+283 m ↘-283 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Bonhomme (Haut-Rhin)
An easy hike through pine and blueberry forests, allowing you to discover relics from the 1914-1918 war and offering wide views of the Orbey valley and the Vosges mountain ranges in the first part of the hike.

Walking Lac Noir, Col du Calvaire and Lac Blanc circular

Visorando member
Boucle du Lac Noir, Col du Calvaire et Lac Blanc
↔9.82 km ↗+336 m ↘-335 m ◔3h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Orbey (Haut-Rhin)
10 km with beautiful views of two glacial lakes. The largest and highest, Lac Blanc (depth 72 m), covers 29 ha at an altitude of 1,055 m, while Lac Noir (depth 45 m) covers 14 ha at 955 m. Breathtaking views from the Belmont Observatory. Don't forget your camera.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.