Eschbach-au-Val walks

The Petit Ballon tour starts at the Wasenmatten farmhouse inn. A challenging start (+300 m) precedes a gentle descent with superb views of the surrounding mountains - the Vosges, the Black Forest, the Jura and, for the lucky ones, the Alps.

The Linge region was the scene of bloody clashes in 1914 and 1915. You will discover the remains and traces still very much present on the ground as you follow this route. Between 20 July and 16 October 1915, one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War in the Vosges took place on this section of the Linge-Barrenkopf front, barely 2 km long. It cost the lives of more than 17,000 young French and German soldiers.

A pretty loop around the heights of Metzeral and Muhlbach with beautiful views of the Grande Vallée, the Vosges ridges and the Hohneck massif. The Kuhfeil lookout offers a breathtaking view of Metzeral. It is also a place of remembrance. Bitter fighting took place here during the Battle of Metzeral in 1915.

This hike takes you around the thatched roofs of the Petit Ballon, allowing you to enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and the thatched roofs that are so characteristic of these Vosges peaks.

This is a very pleasant hike that also offers views of the Alsace plain. The different environments you will pass through will delight walkers who take the time to look around.

This is an easy hike with beautiful views of the Keysersberg valley to the east and the ridges to the west. You will always find a sunny spot for a picnic around Lac des Truites. The Auberge du Lac Noir welcomes you for a break and the Ferme Auberge du Forlet is open at the end of April. You can also eat at the Mussmiss farmhouse inn, which is clearly signposted on arrival at the Col du Wettstein.

A very pretty walk in the magnificent Wormsa valley, with its succession of glacial moraine fields, small waterfalls and a succession of wooden footbridges. You reach the pretty little Lac du Fischboedle with its gazebo, then further up the Lac du Schiessrothried. This section has a few technical sections, but the reward is there for the effort. The return journey is easier and takes wide, shady forest paths.

A long hike around the third highest peak in the Vosges mountains and the highest in the Vosges department, following six lakes. The route offers beautiful views and all types of terrain (paths, roads, trails, forest, clearings, alpine pastures, etc.). This is a very difficult hike for experienced hikers only (length, duration and significant elevation gain). Not to be attempted in winter; best done in late spring, summer or early autumn.

Explore the forest, lakes and the Hautes Chaumes, the highlights of this hike that follows Vosges Club trails.

This short hike on trails marked by the Club Vosgien has in the first instance views of the valley of Munster, and also a view of the peaks of the Vosges. The many picnic opportunities around the Lac des Truites or Lac Forlet lakes, the trout spotting opportunities, as well the welcoming farmhouse make for an enjoyable outing.

Beautiful forest and mountain trail from Metzeral to the summit of Hohneck along the magnificent Wormsa valley, beside two lakes and through the impressive Combe du Wormspel, then back to the starting point on the other side of the Wormsa.

This hike is one of the most interesting in the Munster Valley. You will discover the Stolz Abalss waterfalls and, at the foot of the Hohneck, the Frankenthal glacial cirque with its rock faces, a favourite haunt of chamois, which can usually be seen early in the morning or in the evening

The slopes of the Hohneck and the surrounding glacial cirques are frequented by chamois, which were reintroduced to the Vosges in the 1950s, more than 60 years ago.You may be lucky enough to spot them on this hike. 06/02/2023: Hiking prohibited until furthernotice by municipal decree due to rockfalls on theGR®®531. The BloyGR®®531trail between (S/E) and (1) is closed from 1 November to 30 April by a prefectural order dated 18 May 2022.

A short hike offering a variety of mountain landscapes: high-altitude pastures, twisted beech trees, a cirque and glacial lakes.

A beautiful hike with an "alpine" feel, so it's quite challenging!You will discover two small glacial lakes, the Schiessrothried and the Fischboedle, nestled at the foot of the Hohneck.From the Kerbholtz hillock facing the Spitzkoepfe ridge, you descend into the Combe de l'Ammelthal, with some very technical but safe passages, then the Combe de la Wormspel where you may spot chamois. The return is via the Hohneck, which offers panoramic views. 06/02/2023: Hiking prohibited until further notice by municipal decree due to rock and stone falls on theGR®®531.

This hike will take us on a day-long journey to discover some of the most beautiful lakes in the Vosges, four of which are nestled in remarkable glacial cirques.

This hike allows you to discover varied landscapes, access the ridge and enjoy superb views of the entire Vosges mountains and the Alsace plain. It crosses two nature reserves: the Franckenthal-Missheimle Reserve and the Tanet Gazon du Faing Reserve.The hike also passes by the Rocher de Hirchsteine, the summit of Tanet and Lac Vert. The entire climb is through forest. ⚠️ 21/07/2025: starting point of the hike changed.

A beautiful hike with views of Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet (Lac des Truites) and a lovely stretch along the ridges.

A beautiful hike that takes you up to the “Gazons”, the famous pastures of the Hautes Vosges, and along the steep slopes overlooking the magnificent cirques where the lakes of Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet lie. All of this is situated at an altitude and in landscapes that are reminiscent of the Alps.

Lac Vert (1,044 m) owes its name to the colour it takes on in summer due to the proliferation of algae. Lac des Truites (or Forlet) is the highest lake in the Vosges mountains at 1,066 m. Both are located in former glacial cirques dominated by the Hautes Chaumes.

A magnificent circuit on the Vosges ridges with views of the Black Forest and, on clear, dry days, the Alps. 400 m of paved road, the rest on trails or wide paths.

This easy loop allows you to discover Tanet, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Vosges, with stunning views and the Haut-Fourneau stone cairns. In late June or early July, you can also enjoy the mountain flowers. The return journey is sheltered by Lac Vert.

An uphill section towards Lake Noir on the slope of Orbey.

Looking for a varied hike with different terrain? Then look no further than the Three Lakes Hike. Rooted footpaths, forest tracks, uneven terrain, crossing the Gazon du Faing, Lac Noir, Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites (also known as Lac du Forlet) and, on a clear day, a diversion to the Belmont Rocher observatory or Rocher de Hans. A lovely hike to do in fine weather. It's better for the scenery.

This hike, mainly in the forest, follows the Lauch river and then climbs up through the Belchenseebach gorges, alongside a series of magnificent waterfalls, to reach the romantic Lac du Ballon. The trail is steep in places and some sections are slippery, but they are safe and the views are well worth the effort. The return journey is relaxing, with the option of stopping for refreshments at a farmhouse inn.

This hike could also be called 'Les Balcons de Buhl' (the Buhl balconies). It crosses the Buhlois vineyard, offering magnificent views of the Florival and the Grand Ballon. An additional point of interest is that the circuit crosses old abandoned red sandstone quarries in the Vosges.

I suggest a fairly long hike with a significant elevation gain, classified as very difficult, which will allow you to discover the Orbey Valley with various remarkable viewpoints and several interesting sites: the Tour du Faudé, destroyed in 1915 and 1944 and rebuilt in the 1990s, the Duchesne Cemetery, a national necropolis for French soldiers who fell at Tête des Faux during theFirst World War, and the Gazon du Faing with its panoramic trail, a veritable balcony overlooking Lac Blanc and the Orbey Valley. Caution! This route includes a very technical and difficult section on the descent from the ridges to Lac Blanc, between points (14) and (15). Do not attempt in wet weather. Choose the alternative route described in the practical information.

A magnificent hike with trails that are sometimes alpine in character.

A pretty walk, alternating between rises and descents following sinuous winds and paths over ridges with magnificent views. ‘’The’’ meeting place for local chamois.

Hike in the Alsatian Vosges from Lac Blanc to Lac Vert and return via Lac des Truites and Lac Noir. These are three loops that follow on from each other so well that you can shorten the route at two points.

An easy route that will take you through the dry meadows of Bollenberg overlooking the Alsace plain, between vineyards and mountains.

This is a varied route, as it winds through the forest and the Vosges hills, offering magnificent views of the valleys and surrounding ridges at every turn. The Lac de la Lauch, whose dam dates back to 1894, is as beautiful as ever in its green setting.

This hike takes you to the Hautes Chaumes in the Tanet-Gazon du Faing Nature Reserve, starting on the Vosges side via the Ruhlock trail along a stream and returning via the Rudlin waterfall.There are beautiful views from the ridges over Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites or Lac du Forlet.