Lake route via Markstein

Discover the landscapes of the Vosges mountains on this beautiful hike, which starts at Lac de la Lauch and takes you along the ridge road to Markstein.

Details

50237824
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.09 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 256 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 255 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,198 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 937 m

Description of the walk

(S/E) Park in the Lauch car park along the road and start the tour of the lake by crossing the dam. Once on the other side, walk along the lake on the right to reach a crossroads.

(1) Take the path on your left, marked with a yellow rectangle, and continue along it, making two hairpin bends to reach the road.

(2) Continue to the left, take the bend and follow the yellow rectangle markings on the left until you reach the intersection with the red rectangle path, located at Hundsruecken near the Route des Crêtes.

(3) Leave the yellow rectangle markings and take the red rectangle markings on the far right until you reach Markstein.

(4) Cross the road, then turn right, then left and right again to join the Blue Triangle trail, which will take you back down to the lake. Pass under the ski lifts, then follow the trail down to the right until you reach the track.

(5) Cross the track and continue straight ahead until you reach the road.

(6) Cross it and descend opposite until you can go no further. Then turn right and return to the junction you passed on the way up.

(1) Continue straight ahead, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, to return to the starting point. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 942 m - Car park - Lac de la Lauch
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 951 m - Crossroads of the circular - Lac de la Lauch
  3. 2 : km 1.68 - alt. 1,108 m - Road
  4. 3 : km 3.87 - alt. 1,176 m - Route des Crêtes - Col du Hundsrucken (1177m)
  5. 4 : km 5.69 - alt. 1,177 m - Markstein (le)
  6. 5 : km 6.3 - alt. 1,132 m - Track
  7. 6 : km 6.89 - alt. 1,043 m - Road
  8. S/E : km 8.09 - alt. 943 m - Car park - Lac de la Lauch

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 13955850

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is well marked and fairly accessible.
However, the descent is a bit steep, so walking shoes are a must.
I recommend stopping for a few minutes at Markstein to rest, enjoy the view and, if you feel like it, eat a crêpe

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HROMARY
HROMARY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with a 6-year-old child, with breathtaking scenery. On the descent back down to Lake Lauch, when crossing the road, you have to climb over the safety barrier. It's a bit scary because you're on a bend with no visibility of what's coming down the road, so we crossed by ear because if a motorbike comes along fast and misses its turn, you'll be swept away.

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gassjean
gassjean

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did the route in the opposite direction, I have difficulty going downhill and I did well.
Pleasant hike (hard climb)
Otherwise, everything is OK
J.Gass

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Anouk13
Anouk13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Good description and nice route. The time is a bit overestimated, but it's good for the ego!

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TVP67
TVP67
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike. The most enjoyable sections with beautiful panoramic views are the one coming out of the forest (between points 2 and 3) and the one overlooking the Markstein (between points 3 and 4).

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Michela2018
Michela2018

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with beautiful scenery.

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Guy Detienne
Guy Detienne

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

Superb hike!!!

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a-a-rouyer@hotmail.fr
a-a-rouyer@hotmail.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

well signposted, beautiful route

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Guy Detienne
Guy Detienne

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route should be done during the right season.

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