From the Roche de l’Enfer to Tête Ronde via Lac d’Alfeld

Start from the Lac d’Alfeld car park via the D466.

(S/E) Cross the embankment and take the path on the right, marked with a Blue Rectangle. After about a hundred metres, turn right, cross a track and continue to a junction. Turn left onto the path marked with a Blue Triangle and head for the Bearenbach farm.

(1) Walk past the farm and, at the next fork, continue to the left. At the track, follow the Blue Rectangle markings for^{the GR®531}and continue to the right as far as Issenbach Farm.

(2) Walk past the farm and follow the path, marked with Blue Rectangles, towards Gresson Haut.

(3) At the star-shaped junction at Gresson Haut, take the left-hand path, marked with a Blue Cross, towards La Roche de l’Enfer. Further on, leave the prohibited path on your right (see Practical Information). Continue to the junction with the^GR®5, then take it to the right as far as La Roche de l’Enfer.

(4) Retrace your steps and continue along the ridge on your right-hand side until you reach the next junction.

(5) Take the path on the right and head down the other side. Follow the path, marked with a Yellow Rectangle with a White Rectangle, and you’ll soon reach a small clearing with a very welcoming shelter.
Generally quiet, a very good place to take shelter. Facilities include: a table, benches and a wood-burning stove. The shelter is secured with a door and windows; thanks to the Club Vosgien. There’s plenty of space outside for a picnic.

(6) After a well-deserved break, continue along the path, rejoin the ridge, then a little further on turn left and reach a fork. Turn left, then take the path marked with a Red Rectangle on the right. You’ll reach Ronde Tête.

(7) Ignore the path branching off to the right and carry on for a further 200 m or so until you reach a junction where four paths meet.

(8) Continue to the right along the very pretty path, marked with a Blue Ring. Stay on this path until you reach La Chaumière.

(9) At the junction, turn left onto the path marked ‘Red Disc’ towards Le Boedelen.

(10) At the fork, follow the path opposite, marked ‘Red Saltire’, and rejoin the junction you have already passed.

(11) Turn right onto the path marked ‘Red Saltire’ and stay on it until you reach the Schaling refuge. Built entirely of logs, it’s a lovely spot with a superb view of Lake Alfeld. Inside, there are tables, benches and a wood-burning stove. Ideal for a final coffee break on the terrace.

(11) Continue the descent and you’ll soon reach a viewpoint.

(12) Carry on along the Red Saltire trail. Take the opportunity to visit the waterfall on the right, then continue the descent to Lake Alfeld. Cross the dam and head back to the car park (S/E).

(3) Since November 2022, the closed path has been incorporated into the Haute Bers Massif Biological Reserve. It is no longer maintained and the signposts have been removed (Blue Triangle on the IGN map).

(6) You may wish to turn back, particularly in winter as the path can be a little difficult to find when there is snow. Return to the previous junction (5) and turn right to reach Tête Ronde at (7).