From Lac de Blanchemer to the Chalet de Rouge Mousse

(S) From the Lac de Blanchemer car park, head towards the lake and go round it on the left, passing the shelter, towards the Rainkopf (signposted: Blue Triangle)

(1) At the far end of the lake, at the next junction, turn left and then, a few metres further on, turn right, beginning an ascent as you leave the lake behind you. The path heads south-south-west until it meets the Chemin du Grand Bougre.
Turn left onto this path (north-east) until you reach the next junction.

(2) Turn right (south-east); the climb becomes steeper. Then cross the D430 (Route des Crêtes) and join the^GR®531route (markings: Blue Rectangle) slightly to your left. Continue towards the Rainkopf (south) and reach the summit.
See practical information.

(3) At the summit, change direction (west) and take the^GR®531through the forest to the Col de l’Étang; the path leads down a slope.
At the edge of the forest, cross the D430 again, then the Route des Américains; continue straight on to the junction at the Col de l’Étang. See practical information

(4) From the pass, carry on straight ahead and stay on the^GR®531to reach the Col du Bramont.

(5) Once you reach the Col du Bramont, leave the^GR®531and cross to the other side of the road; slightly to the right, take the Chemin du Séchenat towards the Col de la Vierge (signposted: Yellow Cross)

(6) A few dozen metres before the Fontaine André, take a small path on your right towards the Étang de Sèchemer (markings: Green Triangle). Ignore the path coming from the right and continue until you reach a junction with a forest track marked with a Green Diamond.

(7) Turn left (south) onto this track to quickly reach the Étang de Sèchemer; then continue, skirting the pond to the east and south, towards the Lac des Corbeaux.

(8) Several hundred metres past the pond, leave the forest track and turn left onto a small path through the trees to join the Chemin de Rouge Mousse; a few steps further on, you’ll find the Chalet de Rouge Mousse on your left (E).

Camping and bivouacking are regulated in certain protected areas.
More info

Please note: at Rainkopf, you are near the Hautes-Chaumes du Rothenbach Regional Nature Reserve.
Specific regulations: stay on marked paths; dogs permitted on a lead; camping prohibited; events and overflights restricted

Please note: at the Col de l’Étang, you are near the Tourbière de Machais Nature Reserve (no entry, camping and gatherings prohibited) and you will be walking through the sensitive area of Ronde-Tête and Bramont; stay on the marked trails, dogs must be kept on a lead, camping and gatherings prohibited.

Accommodation:
You can spend the night in the car park (for motorhomes or converted lorries) or at the Abri du lac de Blanchemer refuge:
And at the Chalet de Rouge Mousse

Water:
At Lac de Blanchemer, the lake water may be of some use, but for cleaner water you will need to walk to the Ferschumuss spring, marked on the IGN map.
At the Chalet de Rouge Mousse, the nearest water source is Lac des Corbeaux.