From Lac de Retournemer via Roche du Diable and Haut Gazon

By completing a circular route starting from Lac de Retournemer (a natural lake formed by glacial over-excavation), you will pass successively by Col de Malakoff, near Roche du Diable, and small pass, crossing the high stubble field. From small pass, you will return to the starting point.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.89 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,365 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,368 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,934 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,566 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Gérardmer, take the D417 road towards Colmar. At the "Auberge du Lac" hotel on the left, turn right towards La Bresse, Lac de Longemer and Lac de Retournemer. Continue along this road after Lac de Longemer. After about a kilometre, park on the right opposite the house "aux deux lacs", which has parking for four to five cars.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the road and take a steep path (Yellow Disc) that runs alongside a stream on the right-hand side (temporary stream), then continue along the path, which levels out until you reach the Route de Colmar (D417). Take a short detour to the left towards the Roche du Diable and admire the view.

(1) Retrace your steps for a few hundred metres along the road and take a path that starts on the left with a handmade staircase (Yellow Disc) and continues overlooking the Route de Colmar. There are a few passages where you need to be careful, but there are no particular difficulties. Continue on a wider path to the Col de Malakoff, which is still marked with Yellow Discs.

(2) At the pass, turn right onto the track marked with Blue Discs and follow it to the Balvreuche farmhouse inn.

(3) Continue to the end of the inn's car park, then take a path on the right marked with Blue Discs and red and yellow GRP® markings. Pass Haut Gazon and continue on these two markings to the small pass.

(4) At the Collet hotel, cross the D417 with caution and go through the car park. At the end of the car park, follow the red and yellow GRP® markings and the green discs along the road.

(5) At the old ski slope, cross the D340 with caution and continue along the Chemin des Dames following the same markings to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,569 ft - Maison "aux deux lacs" (house of two lakes), car park - Lac de Retournemer
  2. 1 : mi 0.65 - alt. 3,212 ft - Roche du Diable - Roche du Diable (Xonrupt-Longemer)
  3. 2 : mi 1.46 - alt. 3,514 ft - Col de Malakoff (1071m)
  4. 3 : mi 2.26 - alt. 3,533 ft - Balvreuche farmhouse inn
  5. 4 : mi 3.3 - alt. 3,642 ft - Le Collet
  6. 5 : mi 3.74 - alt. 3,497 ft - Crossing the D340
  7. S/E : mi 4.89 - alt. 2,566 ft - Maison "aux deux lacs" (house of two lakes), car park - Vologne (rivière)

Worth a visit

Not far from the starting point, heading towards La Bresse, you will discover the Charlemagne Waterfall.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
RANDONNEUR88
RANDONNEUR88

Hello Christian
Thank you for your feedback.
Did you go on that hike?
If so, what did you think of it?
Have a good day.
Isabelle

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Chris8405
Chris8405

Hello Isabelle,
Thank you for your contribution and the photos accompanying your comment.
Kind regards, Chris8405

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RANDONNEUR88
RANDONNEUR88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route.
A good climb right from the start.
Point No. 1. Take care, as the path overlooking the Colmar road is very narrow in places.
On the way back, I find the descent just before the restaurant LE COLLET quite steep.
Throughout this route, you’ll discover lovely paths and trails.
The stop at the Balveurche farmhouse inn is a real treat. A peaceful and very beautiful spot.
I enjoyed discovering Lake Retournemer, seen from the Roche du Diable.
Thank you for this lovely walk.
Isabelle

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Jacouto
Jacouto

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

That's good

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