Passing by the Étangs des Roseaux and the Petit Haut

A shaded hike in the Ballon d'Alsace massif, taking place entirely in the undergrowth, and therefore particularly pleasant during the intense summer heat.

Details

3068215
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.85 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Not specified

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 375 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 375 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,138 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 769 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Bon Pommier car park, on the D485 coming from Lepuix towards the Ballon d'Alsace National Forest.

(S) Follow the forest track westwards and cross the Pont du Rummel.

(1). Continue along this track, ignoring the side paths, winding your way along the foot of the Plain de l'Epine. After about 1 km, you will reach the Étang des Roseaux.

(2) Go round the pond on the left and continue for 2 km on the Yellow Disc-marked path until thefirst junction.

(3). Follow the path climbing up to the left, pass a path on the left and reach another junction. Then continue along the path on the right, heading north, to the Refuge de la Grande Goutte.

(4) Continue to the right on the ascending Yellow Disc-marked path starting at the foot of the water point (a hollowed-out tree used as a trough) towards the Ballon d’Alsace, until you reach a pass not named on the map.

(5) Join the GR®5 and follow it northwards. At the next junction, turn right, staying on the GR®5. Continue along the GR®5 to the Etang du Petit Haut.

(6) Continue along the GR®5, keeping to the left of the lake until you reach the junction of paths. Then follow the path marked with a blue and yellow circle (disc or ring?) and follow it to the Pont du Rummel.

(1) 50 m before reaching the forest track, take a look at the Cascade du Rummel. Continue along the forest track to the left, which you took on the way out, to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 769 m - Bon Pommier car park, on the D485
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 803 m - Rummel Bridge on the - Savoureuse (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.21 - alt. 864 m - Étang des Roseaux
  4. 3 : km 2.82 - alt. 1,013 m - Intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.24 - alt. 1,016 m - La Grande Goutte mountain hut
  6. 5 : km 3.97 - alt. 1,080 m - Pass 1078m
  7. 6 : km 7.76 - alt. 922 m - Petit Haut Pond
  8. S/E : km 8.85 - alt. 769 m - Bon Pommier car park

Notes

Water point next to the Refuge de la Grande Goutte (4) (drinkable or not?).
We did the circular route in a clockwise direction, but as the descent from (5) is on a stony path with numerous rocks, it is probably preferable to do it the other way round with young children.

This route passes through the Ballons Comtois National Nature Reserve, where specific regulations apply:
- Leaving the marked trails is prohibited from 15 December to 14 July inclusive; picking blueberries and mushrooms is prohibited during this period
- Dogs are prohibited, even when kept on a lead
- Horse riding and mountain biking are prohibited off the marked trails but permitted all year round
- Picking flowers and collecting minerals is prohibited
- Camping, fires, littering and noise pollution are prohibited.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Enjoy a pleasant picnic by the ponds, particularly at the Etang du Petit Haut, where there is even a small, safe sandy beach that always appeals to children.

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 14006088
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

At one point along the route, there were no signposts. I had to retrace my steps several times to find the path again.

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Titine@90
Titine@90

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I’m not keen on this walk through the countryside with the waterfalls and the pond at Le Petit Haut

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Alain R.
Alain R.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not much snow, but plenty of icy patches. We had a snack at the refuge, which was lovely in this cold weather... There’s a discrepancy between the route map and the description.
I recommend it

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pietineur
pietineur

Hello, I’m always pleased to hear that people appreciate the time I’ve spent describing a hike.
If you carried on to the summit of the Ballon, I hope you were able to enjoy the exceptional view of the Alps around 5 pm yesterday.

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pub4eric
pub4eric

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk after a few days of rain, which really brought out the beauty of the waterfalls.
You can extend the walk to the summit of the Ballon to fully enjoy the 360° view
Thanks for sharing.

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pietineur
pietineur

Hello, I’m always pleased to hear that people appreciate the time I’ve spent describing a hike.

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olle-crew
olle-crew

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant hike we did with friends up to La Grande Goutte, and then as a couple. We set off early in the morning and hardly saw anyone (just five people the whole way). We loved the richness and diversity of the scenery; the climb is easy to manage as it’s very gradual. It’s one of our favourite hikes of the year so far.

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isabellelouys
isabellelouys

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk!

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Kleinlogel
Kleinlogel

walk cancelled

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