Col de Dreibannstein via the quarries at Buhl, Guebwiller and Bergholtz

The route starts from the signposted car park at the north-western end of Buhl, 50 m past the last houses on Rue de la Carrière.
The car park has an information board explaining the location and history of the quarries. Beyond this, the path is reserved for cyclists and walkers and leads to the Col de Bannstein.

(S/E) Start by following the Blue Disc markings for 170 m along the tarmac path, then turn right onto a gentle climb that becomes steeper (to warm up...). Pass a fenced-off area with a hut on your left and stay on the Blue Disc, following the forest path as it forms a circular route to the right.

(1) Leave the Blue Disc markings (signposted towards the Col du Dreibannstein) by taking the forest track on the right. It continues to climb gently for about 350 m, then descends slightly. Still descending, the Red Ring path joins us on the right. We will follow this path.

(2) Don’t miss the Red Ring marked path on your left, climbing towards the Buhl Quarries. This steep, zigzagging climb takes us quickly onto a plateau.

(3) A fine oak tree greets us and draws our attention to the powder magazine on the right and a viewpoint on the left (where trees restrict the view towards the bottom of the Lauch valley). The well-marked Red Ring trail winds its way along the base of the cliffs to the left of these former Buhl Quarries. Many of the rock faces are fitted with bolts installed by climbers. This is despite the fact that climbing is supposedly prohibited here. The trail continues eastwards, alternating between short ascents and descents.

(4) At the junction of several paths and tracks, ignore the direct climb up to the Col de Dreibannstein (= Col des Trois Bans) and follow the gently descending forest track on the right, marked with a Red Disc, towards the Guebwiller Quarries. Walk past the Guebwiller Shooting Club stand and reach the start of a discreet path on the left, marked with a Red Ring.

(5) Follow it uphill to approach the quarries. Continue along a series of short descents and ascents, passing the remains of the quarry operations: two steel wheels from the funicular or hoist used to lower the sandstone blocks into the valley. The sandstone cliffs can be glimpsed behind the trees on the left. Follow the Red Ring uphill to the junction with the path marked with a Yellow Disc.

(6) Turn left onto this path (heading north). This lovely path comes from the Roche du Coucou and leads gently up to the Col du Dreibannstein, passing above the cliffs you walked alongside earlier. 600 m further on, the path becomes a forest track; at the three-way junction, take the one furthest to the right and reach the pass.

(7) At this pass, a cosy shelter run by the Club Vosgien welcomes us, along with tables and benches under the trees. Signposts now guide us towards the Bergholtz Quarries. Follow the Blue Triangle-marked track for about 500 m on a gently sloping descent, then continue on the Red Ring-marked track (ignoring the markings that lead down to the left). Continue straight on, slightly uphill, towards the quarries.

(8) Ignore the track that climbs steeply to the right (it goes above the quarries), and likewise the path that descends shortly afterwards to the left. The cliffs and quarries of Bergholtz begin immediately after this. A sign warning climbers to take care is worth reading. The walls of beautiful pink sandstone tower over the path by 30 to 50 metres on the right-hand side for about 800 metres. They are dotted with a multitude of pitons and anchor points for climbers. At weekends and/or in good weather, you will no doubt spot a few of them in action.

(9) Towards the exit of the quarry, you’ll find two benches in fair condition. Take the sharp left turn and head downhill (feeling as though you’re going backwards), following the Red Cross markings. Follow these markings as they point towards the Croix de Mission (without actually going all the way to it).

(10) At the crossroads of paths on the edge of the forest, ignore the Yellow Disc markings and turn right onto the rural path marked with a Red Ring, which runs along the edge of the forest. Pass by the foot of a telecoms mast and above the vineyards overlooking Guebwiller. Enjoy the views with the town at your feet for several hundred metres. Ignore the track and path to the right and at the three-way junction, head down to the left following the Green Ring markings.

(11) Ignore the path leading down towards the houses, but turn right onto a gently ascending path through the vineyards, marked ‘Chemin Privé’. To the right, it is flanked by a low wall of sandstone rubble designed to support the vineyard slope. During a short stretch between trees, the stone path becomes tarmac, passes below a reservoir, then descends between south-facing villas.

(12) Do not follow the road to its bend, but turn right between two houses, just above the one at No. 47, into a passage where a trickle of water flows. The Green Ring marker that should be there has, no doubt, been removed. Above the last house, ignore the Green Ring sign on the left and continue straight on. This path climbs steeply, passing between so-called Cyclopean walls to reach the Appenthal alignments, a series of menhirs over a metre high that seem to frame the path (see the information panel attached to a tree).

(13) Above these rather unusual alignments, join the path marked with the Green Ring and Red Ring. Turn left, heading west, along a balcony-like path.

(14) Continue straight ahead along a gently undulating path, sometimes descending, sometimes ascending, with vineyards on either side at times. The sandstone walls of the Buhl Quarry, situated 50 m higher up, are not visible from here. Enjoy the view of the ruins of Hugstein Castle at the bottom of the opposite slope. At the end of the vineyard plots on the left, enjoy the view of the town of Buhl. Then follow the path to the left downhill for 150 m and ignore the path that rejoins the start of the route, briefly leaving the markings.

(15) Return to the Red Ring and Green Ring markings, and continue north-west along a balcony path between woods and vineyards. You’ll arrive in the northern part of Buhl, on Rue du Réservoir. Follow this road to Rue des Carrières. Walk about 100 metres to the right until you reach the car park (S/E).

The shelter, facilities and surrounding area at the Col de Dreibannstein are ideal for a snack break. There is no water source.
In very hot weather, although much of the route is in the forest, the slopes are very exposed to the sun, so make sure you bring enough water to keep you hydrated.

The main points of interest are listed in the route description.
The sandstone cliffs are impressive, as are the trees clinging to the rocks just above them. The forest is diverse, with plenty of pine trees, but also oaks, chestnut trees, a few firs, etc. In the Guebwiller Quarry area, there is a weeping fir (apparently very rare in our region and especially in the wild).