From Lake Alfeld to the Issenbach Refuge and Baerenbach Farm Inn

A circular route starting and finishing at the Alfeld Lake car park. It follows the Issenbach stream to the refuge of the same name, then on to the Baerenbach Farm Inn, which is the turning point, before following the Baerenbach and Seebach streams back towards Alfeld Lake.

Details

n°41113485

Creation:
07 Oct 2023

Last update:
29 Jun 2026

Last review:
30 Jul 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 4.00 mi
Average duration: 2h 45
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,037 ft
Descent: - 1,017 ft
Highest point: 2,736 ft
Lowest point: 1,719 ft

Country: France
Areas: Vosges mountains, Vallée de la Doller / Masevaux
City: Sewen (68290)
Start/End: N 47.815494° / E 6.873169°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3520ET, 3619OT, 3619OTR, 3620ET
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Photos

Water, trees, a small waterfall… Simple and magical.

Description of the walk

Free car park at Lake Alfeld.

(S/E) Head north across the lake’s dam.

(1) Turn right and immediately keep to the left on the path marked with a Blue Rectangle. Join a forest track and follow it to the left.

(2) Leave it 300 m further on to rejoin the Blue Rectangle path on the left. Reach a junction.

(3) Turn right to stay on the same path marked with a Blue Rectangle. Cross the footbridge over the Issenbach, rejoin the track you left earlier and follow it for about a hundred metres.

(4) Look out for the Blue Triangle-marked path on the right, which you will take after reaching the Issenbach Refuge, and continue straight on to reach it.

(5) Retrace your steps back to the junction.

(4) Take the path marked with a Blue Triangle on the left. Head towards the Baerenbach Farm Inn, go round it on the left and come out onto the access track.

(6) Turn left to stay on the path marked with a Blue Triangle and head down into the Seebach valley. Follow a series of hairpin bends until you reach the junction with a path marked with a Blue Rectangle.

(7) Turn right onto this marked path heading towards Lake Alfeld. Cross the forest track and arrive at the dam.

(1) Turn left to cross it again and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,028 ft - Car park - Lac d'Alfeld
1 : mi 0.25 - alt. 2,031 ft - Junction of the circular loop - Cascade du Lac d'Alfeld
2 : mi 0.69 - alt. 2,208 ft - Leave the forest track
3 : mi 1.21 - alt. 2,612 ft - Junction at the Goutte d'Issenbach valley
4 : mi 1.42 - alt. 2,694 ft - Blue Triangle trail junction
5 : mi 1.6 - alt. 2,697 ft - Refuge d'Issenbach
6 : mi 2.32 - alt. 2,385 ft - Ferme-auberge du Baerenbach
7 : mi 3.2 - alt. 1,726 ft - Blue Rectangle junction, on the right
S/E : mi 4 - alt. 2,024 ft - Car park

Notes

Alfeld Inn (S/E) and Baerenbach Inn (6).

Worth a visit

Knapen Rock.

Le Gresson Haut.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

bouledjouidja rabah

30 Jul 2026 at 11:41 7200

Hello
Thank you for your review, which might encourage others to have a look at it... It’s true that the site has a lot to offer and that you should make the most of it.
All the best with your hikes

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Trestabernae

24 Jul 2026 at 16:37 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A shaded route.
The climb up to the Issenbach refuge was fine.
The winding descent from the Baerenbach farm caused me a few problems at times because of the stones.
There are some tricky sections on the final climb up to Lake Alfeld.
There are some lovely photos of waterfalls to be taken during this final climb.

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bouledjouidja rabah

29 Jun 2026 at 10:30 7200

Hello
Thank you for your review, which might encourage others to have a look at the site... It’s true that the site has a lot to offer and that you should make the most of it.
All the best with your walks

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Revcore

29 Jun 2026 at 08:54 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A solo hike on a scorching Saturday morning – and it was the perfect choice! Setting off from a mountain lake on a circular route so you can cool off on the way back is an excellent idea. The route and description on the app are spot on.
The route is mostly shaded, which makes it very pleasant in summer. As for parking, no problem at all: you can easily find a space near the restaurant or along the road. Although swimming is prohibited at Lac d’Alfeld, a quick refreshing break by the water’s edge does you a world of good before heading back down!
The only downside (which isn’t down to the app) is the rubbish left behind by walkers… It’s a shame to see such a beautiful spot littered with rubbish. Please respect nature!

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