From Hohneck to three lakes via Sapin de Kolben

Departure from the Hohneck Summit car park.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path that descends near the hairpin bends of the pass. After the flat section, follow the Sentier des Névés (yellow cross)

(1) Shortly after the start of the Sentier des Névés, make a brief detour to the rocks on the left to enjoy the view.

(2) Retrace your steps and turn left to rejoin the Sentier des Névés trail.
Reach the road that leads to the Auberge du Kastelberg.

(3) Cross this road and continue along the marked trail (yellow cross) opposite.
You will soon reach a Y junction and take the path on the right (^GR® 531 Blue Rectangle) towards Rainkopf. Pass by the Auberge de Firstmiss.

(4) Descend to the right of the Refuge du Raïnkopf-Louis Hergès to reach the set of forks marked with a post: Small Pass du Rainkopf 1192 m.
Take the path (Blue Rectangle) that climbs slightly to the left into the woods, leaving the path on the far left (Yellow Cross).
After a few hairpin bends, you will reach the summit marked by a signpost: Rainkopf 1305 m.

(5) Head right and then, a few dozen metres further on, turn left (blue cross).
Reach the pass marked by a post: Col du Rothenbach 1205 m.

(6) Follow the left direction at the Steinwasen - Leiberthal gate (yellow disc and blue cross). After a few switchbacks downhill, you will reach a fork and leave the main path (blue cross), taking the small path on the left towards Leibelthal and Lake Altenweier (yellow disc).
After a gentle walk through the forest, you will reach a wide forest track. Take this track to the left and follow it until you reach the^third large hairpin bend.

(7) Leave the track and take the left-hand path at the hairpin bend towards Leibelthal (yellow disc) and ignore the direction of Kolbenwassen Chapel - Mittlach via the road.
Please note: further on, don't miss a path on the right that descends quite steeply (the signpost is fixed to the ground on the right and therefore not very visible). After the hairpin bend, the path runs alongside the stream and offers some beautiful views of small waterfalls.
You will reach the Sapin de Kolben and the chapel of the same name, as well as a picnic table.

(8) To the right of the information board, take the carriage road (first tarmac, then gravel) which winds its way up through the forest, skirting Mont Seeberg. Stay on this uphill track for a long time. You will reach a bend with a path leading off to the right into the forest at a large red and white barrier.

(9) Follow this path and continue straight ahead to Lake Altenweiher.

(10) From the lake's embankment, retrace your steps towards the shelter and follow the main path for a short while. At the large tree trunk with various directional signs, turn left towards Fischboelde (blue cross) and the "Sentier des Névés" (yellow cross). You will soon reach a Y-junction.

(11) Take the right fork. Don't miss the sign on a tree on the right indicating: Kerbholz - Lac de Fischboelde (Blue Cross). Begin the more technical climb over large rocks. This section (which is not particularly dangerous apart from the slippery rocks) requires greater attention and is certainly not suitable for mountain bikes.
After a long climb, ignore the left-hand junction signposted Ferme du Kastelberg and continue on the marked trail (Blue Cross). You will reach a four-way junction, where the left-hand branch also leads to the Auberge Kastelberg.

(12) Take the narrow path opposite (Blue Cross) and climb up to the Kerbholz Refuge

(13). With the refuge on your left, do not take the wide path opposite into the forest, but take the path on the right at the meadow. In the forest, first ignore the path on the right, which leads back to Lake Altenweiher. A few dozen metres further on, turn right (Blue Cross) and continue straight downhill, winding through the forest.
When you reach the forest track, turn left and climb up to the dam via the small path on the left. Cross the footbridge and continue to the picnic area (semi-covered shelter).

(14) With the shelter on your left, take the path that climbs to the right into the forest. Continue straight ahead to Lake Schiessrothried. Turn right and cross the dam.

(15) Almost in line with the dam, next to the shelter, take the path towards Schiessroth (^GR® 5 and Blue Rectangle). A few dozen metres further on, don't miss the fork to the left towards Schiessroth (^GR® 5, Red Rectangle). Climb the multiple hairpin bends and reach the Auberge de Schiessroth.

(16) At the Auberge, take the path on the left (Red Rectangle). On the climb, next to a large rock, admire the view on the left overlooking the lake.
Continue climbing to the pass marked with a post: Col du Schaeferthal 1228 m.

(17) Continue climbing, turning left towards Hohneck (^GR® 5, red rectangle). You will reach the orientation table at the summit of Hohneck, its inn and the car park (S/E).

Hike through different types of landscapes. Sometimes easy trails, sometimes tricky passages in scree. Elevation gain and duration suitable for experienced hikers. Even in hot weather, the route is always in the forest, except for the start and finish.

I did this hike on 15 August 2021 from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. (including a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes of breaks).
I rate this hike as very difficult, not because of the danger, but for four reasons:
- the duration,
- the elevation gain,
- some more challenging sections on rocky terrain,
- the IBP index.

It should be noted that some sections are impassable or even prohibited during periods of heavy snowfall.

IBP Index = 122 (i.e. very difficult for a hiker of average fitness).

Firstmiss Inn on the route (4)
Louis-Hergès Refuge on the route (4)
If necessary: at the Y junction (11), it is possible to go directly to (3) and then (1) via the Sentier des Névés (Croix Jaune).
Auberge Kastelberg is slightly off the route, near (12).
Kerbholz Refuge on the route (13).
Fischboelde shelter (14).
Schiessroth Inn on the route (16).
Charles Rudloff Refuge near the route (16).
Hohneck Summit Inn, at the start/finish (S/E).

Possible alternative: at (8), head directly to Lake Altenweiher (10) by following the route through the forest (yellow cross) instead of following the forest track on the route.

The summit of Rothenbachkopf: short round trip possible from Col de Rothenbach (6) (additional elevation gain of 113 m).
The Kolben Fir Tree and the Chapel on the route (8).
Nearby on the road, off the route, continuing along the road at (7), is rock 48/7, the intersection of the^48th parallel north and the^7th meridian east. It is just a rock, but this geographical point is unique. The information board (8) fails to indicate the direction to take (tarmac road: the one on the left when looking at the sign).
Altenweiher Lake (8).
Fischboelde Lake (14).
Schiessrothried Lake (15).