From Wettstein Pass to the Lac des Truites

This short hike on trails marked by the Club Vosgien has in the first instance views of the valley of Munster, and also a view of the peaks of the Vosges. The many picnic opportunities around the Lac des Truites or Lac Forlet lakes, the trout spotting opportunities, as well the welcoming farmhouse make for an enjoyable outing.

Details

17227
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 298 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 289 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,091 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 868 m

Photos

Description of the walk

To begin this Alsace walk, reach the Col du Wettstein, from Orbey D48 or from Soultzeren. Park in the car park. GPS coordinates N48°05'16.4" E7°06'57.5"

(S/E) From the pass, take the GR®532 headed north, towards Lac Noir. The trail is marked with a Yellow rectangle. Starting in the woods, the path is a little steep but then the climb becomes easier.
Follow the signs for about 1.5 km to the intersection of the three marked trails (1).
Take the middle path, towards the west. It is marked with a Yellow cross. This balcony path narrows through the forest and leads to the paved road leading to the lake (2).
Turn right in the direction of the rise and go up the asphalt road to the intersection with a track that goes left (3). Markings: Red triangle. We must follow this track, continuing uphill to the dam (4). Arrive at the dam, turn left around the lake in direction of the Forlet farmhouse inn (5).

Retrace your steps to the dam (4). Turn right heading east, the path marked with a Yellow disk. The path narrows and leads to Altenkraeh farm (6).
Pass by the farm on the right, turn left following the Yellow disk markings. It rises slightly in the meadows. Follow this trail to the junction of the three marked trails (1).
Once at this intersection, turn right ignoring the outbound path and follow the trail south marked with a Yellow disk .
After 800 metres, you will come to a junction where you must turn right, heading south-east, and take the path marked with Yellow X markings towards the farmhouse of Musmiss(7).
The trail winds in an S and approaches the farmhouse. From the terrace you can see the Hohneck(8).
There remains only to continue on the marked trail to the Col du Wettstein, where we come to the car park and the starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 882 m - Col de Wettstein (882m)
  2. 1 : km 1.37 - alt. 967 m - Crossroads of the three signposted paths.
  3. 2 : km 2.89 - alt. 959 m - Intersection with tarmac road.
  4. 3 : km 3.52 - alt. 1,007 m - Connection of the lake track. Red triangle.
  5. 4 : km 3.89 - alt. 1,065 m - Dam.
  6. 5 : km 4.49 - alt. 1,091 m - Ferme auberge du Forlet
  7. 6 : km 5.95 - alt. 1,080 m - Altenkraeh farm.
  8. 7 : km 8.07 - alt. 868 m - Intersection with signposted path Yellow easel
  9. 8 : km 9.24 - alt. 921 m - Musmiss Farm Inn
  10. S/E : km 9.69 - alt. 882 m - Wettstein Pass - Nécropole Nationale du Wettstein

Notes

Worth a visit

A picnic area and picnic opportunities on the rocks around the lake.

 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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 138 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
marcounet
marcounet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Varied and magnificent landscapes in autumn. Drinks and desserts enjoyed at the Forlet farmhouse inn (check opening days before setting off). Few people during the week despite the favourable weather. Trails slippery in places (roots) or uneven (lots of stones) but no major difficulties. One of our favourites in the area!

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BrigitteST
BrigitteST
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike on Sunday, 31st July 2025, with mild weather, no rain, a little wind, and ideal temperatures for a mountain trek. The observations made in previous comments were very useful, especially regarding the paths with stones and small rocks. So, yes, it is important to have comfortable shoes with soles that will protect your feet from the rocky terrain and roots on the surface. Another helpful item: walking sticks for the few muddy sections (not many) and the differences in height on the paths. This is an ideal walk at this time of year as there are quite a few sunny areas. In the height of summer, we wouldn't do this walk (except very early in the day) as there are a few sections in the forest and there are trees but not much shade.
The landscapes are truly magnificent and very varied, with something new to discover at every turn.
The Forlet farmhouse inn on the route is very nice, welcoming, with a beautiful terrace and very friendly and pleasant staff.
A very nice day, but my knees were a bit tired in the evening. :-)

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Dadou88
Dadou88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike with sunshine as a bonus

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mach
mach

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely short hike with two farmhouse inns along the route.

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marine.m30
marine.m30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent walk with lovely views from the ridges and stubble fields. One. A steep climb through the roots at the start, but easy to do. The rest of the route is on good paths.
When approaching point 3, be careful not to take the wrong turning on the left. There is a first track on the left before the hairpin bend. You first have to get past the hairpin to reach the track marked with a red triangle on the left. If you're using the GPS position, there's no doubt about it, but if you're just using the description, be careful.
The Lac du Forlet is a good place to stop for a picnic with a beautiful view.
The return journey is on a narrow path through pastures.
Finish at the auberge and enjoy the terrace before returning to the car park.

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Inaya
Inaya

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Superb hike with varied scenery. Lunch break at the farmhouse inn on the lake, a very warm welcome and delicious food. At the lake, it's much busier due to the addition of "hikers in cars" but as soon as you leave the lake, you're back to peace and quiet. I really recommend it

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Taken in the opposite direction. A busy route, but not too busy yet. Magnificent views, meadows still in full bloom. The descent on the way back a bit tricky for old knees . Nice picnic spots with views to boot.

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Girau Martine
Girau Martine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk in beautiful sunshine.
Beautiful scenery, a little crowded but it was the weekend...do it again...

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Alain MARION
Alain MARION

This walk is scheduled for 19 June

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chrysal67
chrysal67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

There are some lovely views, and the path is pleasant both uphill and downhill. We enjoyed the whole route.
The warm welcome at the Auberge du Forlet was much appreciated in the pouring rain. Their munster cheese made from raw milk and their cheese and bacon omelette are a real treat!

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binet68
binet68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It was a lovely walk, with beautiful scenery and some very sunny moments to take into account. The lunch stop at the lake was a nice surprise, with benches available, and to finish off, a stop at the Musmiss farm inn was also very pleasant.

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henningspielmann
henningspielmann

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There were a few hikers, but it wasn't overcrowded

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sogo68974
sogo68974

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk.
Quick start with a nice climb, but followed by beautiful scenery and a calm early morning.

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Paml68
Paml68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This was a very nice hike during the week, so there were very few people. I didn't go as far as the farmhouse inn as I wasn't planning to eat there. It took me 2.5 hours to complete the walk without rushing.

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STOLL michel
STOLL michel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

:it's great

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