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(Access) From La Bresse, take the D34 towards the La Bresse ski area. After 3 km, turn right towards the Col de Bramont. After a wide hairpin bend, turn left onto the D34a, known as the Route des Américains. Stop 1 km further on at the Chalet de Machais car park
(S/E) Take the wide"Chemin des Italiens"for about 3 km. At the crossroads, follow the blue triangle to the right and continue until you reach Lac de Blanchemer.
(1) Continue (blue triangle) and climb up to Chemin du Grand Bougre. Turn left onto the flat section for about 600 m and then turn right onto the path that climbs steeply up to the Route des Crêtes (D430). Cross the road and reach the Collet du Rainkopf.
(2) Looking south, you will see three paths:
- to the left (yellow signpost) towards Lac d'Altenweiher,
- to the right, a red rectangle with a white cross (GR®53variant),
- in the middle, theGR®531marked with a blue rectangle climbing directly to Rainkopf,
take this to reach the summit of Rainkopf, where you will find panoramic views.
(3) Head south and take a short descent to reach the pass separating Rainkopf and Rothenbachkopf.
(4) Continue southwards to reach the Rothenbachkopf.
Note: You can extend the hike by continuing to the next peak: the Batteriekopf.
(5) Descend to return to the previous pass.
(4) Turn left, cross the D430 and from the car park head towards the Maison de la Nature and then the source of the Thur. Climb back up to the D34a tarmac road and descend to the left for 250m until you reach a crossroads with a path.
(7) Descend left onto this path (blue rectangle) to the Collet de l'Étang.
(8) Continue downhill directly towards the peat bog.
(9) Follow it and easily reach the Chalet de Machais (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Easy 
