Geishouse walks

A walk around Markstein on a typical Vosges ridge. This route has all the ingredients for a great hike in the Vosges mountains, including panoramic views of the peaks and valleys, well-marked trails laid out by the Club Vosgien, including over thatch, and visits to a number of farm inns.

Tour and climb to the Grand Ballon from the Glashutte farmhouse inn. This hike offers beautiful views from the highest peak in the Vosges mountains, over the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and, depending on weather conditions, perhaps even the Alps.

An original route to get to Lac du Grand Ballon avoiding the road. You will discover beautiful trees, a waterfall and views over the Petit Ballon and the Black Forest along the way.

Above Lautenbachzell, this day hike will take you through several different landscapes of the Vosges: orchards and villages in the valley, pine forests, beech woods and stumps. You will reach the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges, after walking along the Lac du Grand Ballon and passing near waterfalls.

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.

The hike starts in Murbach and allows you to discover several attractions in the valley: Murbach Abbey, the Notre Dame de Lorette Chapel and the ruins of an ancient castle, the Hohrupf.

A beautiful hike in the rear valley of the Thur, near Lake Kruth-Wildenstein, which will take you to the heights of Kruth, with beautiful views of the upper valley and the Rossberg-Thannerhubel massif.

The Hartmannswillerkopf (Viel Armand in French) was the scene of fierce fighting throughout 1915. Losses amounted to 50,000 dead, evenly divided between the two sides. This hike pays tribute to these soldiers by following part of their trenches. It begins with the ascent of the massif, following the German fortified trenches to the summit where the necropolis is located. The return route descends via the French side, the "Chemin des Dames".

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doller Valley and the Ballon d'Alsace on a former volcanic massif.

This walk takes you to the Lac des Perches ; a lake that nestles at the bottom of a very steep-sided cirque. Then the path leads you on to a stubble field where there is a very beautiful view over the valley of the Doller and even of the Alps when the sky is clear.

This is a must-do circuit for all hiking enthusiasts.

A pleasant, undulating hike between the lakes of the Vosges, offering magnificent views, high-altitude thatched roofs and open, varied landscapes. Starting from Rimbach near Masevaux, head towards Basse Bers, then Lac des Perches, climb up to the pass of the same name, followed by the GR®5 trail overlooking the lake, towards Haute Beers (shelter). Gentle descent via the Seppiweg to the Neuweiher lakes, then climb towards Gresson (farmhouse inn). Descent to Ermensbach via the magnificent log cabin shelter of Lagerwald Hutte, then along the hillside to the church in Rimbach.

This short hike offers breathtaking views of the Col des Perches and the lake of the same name, Sternsee. A bench and a small table above the scree overlooking the lake are ideal for a snack break while admiring the landscape. At the Grand Neuweiher lake, stop at the refuge inn to quench your thirst before heading back to Rimbach. Moderator's note: the Blue Disc trail between (6) and Ermensbach is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Horse trail (Steinweg).

This short family hike takes you up to the ruins of Wildenstein Castle along a discovery trail dotted with information panels. On the way back down, you can walk around the lake and, once you arrive, enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a trip on a pedalo or, for the more energetic, a walk among the trees in the tree-top adventure park right next to the car park.

More of a Sunday stroll than a real hike, this trail around Lake Kruth-Wildenstein, which is accessible to people with disabilities, will give you a breath of fresh air. It is particularly pleasant in summer when it is very hot in the valley.

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.