From Fréconrupt to Étang du Coucou, in the footsteps of the Mennonites

Encounter the Mennonites in the Salm region. This community originated from Anabaptists who fled the Zurich region of Switzerland where they were persecuted. Many of them emigrated to the United States and created the Amish movement. Information panels are located along the route.

Details

27688371
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.45 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 140 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 146 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 667 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 546 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the fitness trail car park.

(S/E) Enter the forest via the wide path marked with a yellow rectangle and follow it to the Gros Chêne.

(1) Pass the Gros Chêne and, at the fork, continue to the left and follow the tarmac road to reach the Kupferschmitt house. Continue to the intersection.

(2) Cross the road and take the path opposite into the forest, marked with a green disc, which immediately turns left to reach the Étang du Coucou.

(3) With your back to the pond, head towards the path opposite marked with a red disc and follow the stream for about 400 m.

(4) At the fork, head right uphill, reach the road and follow it to the left to the old inn (closed).

(5) Turn right, enter the enclosure, walk down along the fence, cross the ford and continue through the forest on the path that forms a circular loop.

(6) Leave the path and descend the trail on the left. Cross the road, then the footbridge, and climb up the other side of the valley. Follow the road to the left and arrive at the Malplaquet farm.

(7) At the intersection, continue straight ahead and, at the next fork, keep to the right. At the edge of the forest, there is a magnificent view of the Donon. Continue for another 400 metres and keep to the right until you reach the intersection.

(8) Turn right to reach the Abri des Trois Planchers.

(9) Walk along the edge of the woods to the left, take the fitness trail and pass the playground. At the road, turn right back to the fitness trail car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 664 m - Fitness trail car park
  2. 1 : km 2.21 - alt. 643 m - Gros Chêne
  3. 2 : km 2.92 - alt. 628 m - Road - Château de Salm
  4. 3 : km 4.29 - alt. 552 m - Étang du Coucou
  5. 4 : km 4.71 - alt. 547 m - Fork
  6. 5 : km 5.4 - alt. 568 m - Former inn
  7. 6 : km 6.01 - alt. 561 m - Path on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.22 - alt. 621 m - Malplaquet Farm
  9. 8 : km 8.09 - alt. 634 m - Intersection
  10. 9 : km 8.44 - alt. 651 m - Abri des Trois Planchers
  11. S/E : km 9.45 - alt. 664 m - Fitness trail car park

Notes

Between (5) and (6) there are some very wet sections.
At (8), you can go straight ahead along the farm track to reach the car park.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
randoroseeverte
randoroseeverte

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

pleasant hike, time allowed was sufficient, paths were often wide,
no particular difficulties

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Chantalea
Chantalea

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk around Fréconrupt, fairly easy and accessible to most people.
Some sections are quite long and exposed to the sun, so take care in summer!

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Although there weren't many hikers on a Sunday, except at the Coucou pond... An easy, pleasant route suitable for all levels. Not many viewpoints.

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BrigitteST
BrigitteST
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with varied scenery: fields of wild grass, no crops; part of the route is shaded (forest) but bring a hat and sun cream if the sun is strong; walking sticks are useful for the narrower, stony paths (towards the Coucou pond) – no difficulties along the entire route.

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Joda
Joda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike of about twelve kilometres, with no particular difficulties.
The paths are mainly in the woods, so they are shaded.
Discover the Principality of Salm and the history of the Mennonites.
Pass by Lake Coucou, a small, quiet lake nestled in the middle of the forest.

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JMCBA
JMCBA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy walk, very pleasant in warm weather. Little elevation gain, so suitable for families.

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Barabaste
Barabaste

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike, entertaining due to the variety of locations: farm, ford, etc.
Very bright, not much forest

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RANDOJDSC
RANDOJDSC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, easy indeed, suitable for everyone.
A beautiful variety of landscapes, forests, stubble fields and hamlets.
Of historical interest for learning about the Anabaptists and the history of the Principality of Salm. Well-designed information panels are placed along the route.

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Helmbacher Michel
Helmbacher Michel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

2024.03.03 Salm/Mennonite Heritage Trail/Coucou Pond/La Maxe Marsh/Framboises Pond/Malpaquet... "Google Photos"
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ASwCugeYpbnJg2...

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