Goldbach-Altenbach walks

An easy hike that can be enjoyed in all seasons, with a little extra charm in winter.

During this hike, we will follow in the footsteps of the poilus who fought at Hartmannswillerkopf during the First World War, and we will cross the Route des Crêtes several times.

Starting from the Route des Crêtes, near the Freundstein farmhouse inn, a magnificent, fairly easy and varied route with numerous viewpoints.

This 90-minute circular route takes you to places of remembrance from the First World War near Hartmannswillerkopf. Starting with the Sicurani Chapel, built in honour of a Corsican officer killed on the Vosges front. Pascal Sicurani, captain of the68th Alpine Chasseurs Battalion, died a few days before Christmas, on 22 December 1915. His remains were transferred to his native village in 1923. The circular route then passes by the Abri Baratin.

This hike connects Gustiberg, Lac du Ballon, Col du Haag and Grand Ballon, starting from Firstacker and alternating between typical mountain landscapes: forests, stubble fields, pastures, scree, etc.

A beautiful hike, wild in all seasons, through stubble fields and beautiful forests, passing the summit of the Grand Ballon (360° view) from the Firstacker car park, via the stubble fields of Gerstacker, the Haag Pass, around the Storkenkopf in the forest, then up to the summit of the Grand Ballon (Diables Bleus monument and radar dome) before descending via the modified GR®5 route between the Col du Grand Ballon (La Vue des Alpes restaurant) and the Ferme-auberge du Grand Ballon.

Passion Vosges magazine 2026, dedicated to gourmet hikes, offers a superb circular route around the highest peak in the Vosges. This route passes by the Ferme-auberge du Grand-Ballon and offers magnificent panoramic views.

This circular mountain route starting from the Col du Firstacker links three farm-inns (the Kohlschlag, the Freundstein and the Molkenrain) whilst offering you the chance to discover the Hartmannswillerkopf Memorial, the famous and deadly Franco-German mountain battlefield of the First World War. Alternating between forests, pastures and ruins, the route subtly blends heritage with farm life and the atmosphere of the forest, all enhanced by magnificent views.

Tour of the Grand Ballon with forest sections ideal in summer, and stunning views of the Thann valley at the start and the Guebwiller valley, the Alsace plain and the Black Forest towards the end. Food available at the Haag farmhouse inn (booking recommended).

Hike undertaken in July on the Alsatian side. Discover the flora and fauna on the pastures of the Vosges.

The Grand Ballon is the highest peak in the Vosges. Most people reach the Grand Ballon by road. This peak is also accessible on foot from Florival or from Markstein. This route involves ascending from the Étang de la Griedelmatt. It is a route best suited to fit and active walkers, as it involves climbing over 1,000 metres in elevation. The ascent takes place through woodland for 85% of the route. Only the final few kilometres are exposed. From its height of 1,424 metres, the Grand Ballon offers a splendid view that stretches as far as the Alps on a clear day. The descent takes place in two stages: the first part alternates between woodland and meadows down to the pretty village of Goldbach. The rest of the route, and the end of the hike, is entirely through the forest.

A short walk starting from the Geishouse hikers’ car park.Ideal for a picnic with a magnificent view of the village, the neighbouring peaks and the Alps when the sky is clear.

The ‘Father’s Day Trail’ is little known but nonetheless boasts incredible wild beauty. Starting from the heights of Geihouse, it leads to the Bessay stubble fields, where a stone bench awaits you with a superb view of the village, and continues to the Kestrel Shelter where you will discover one of the region’s most beautiful viewpoints.

A hike entirely through the forest, suitable even in hot weather. On the way to the Col de Judenhut, we choose to take the stony path only for part of the way, preferring the wide track leading to the pass. There, a lovely shaded picnic area awaits us, along with a shelter and a fountain. The path towards Firstacker runs along the hillside, with very little elevation gain, and crosses numerous streams. For the return journey to the Glashütte, we’ll follow the wide track downhill.

This route leads to the Col du Grand Ballon, starting from the Glashutte. It crosses forests, including beautiful beech woods, and stubble fields where the view can be very beautiful. Please note that crampons and snowshoes are required in winter.

A lovely little forest walk offering several picnic spots with wooden benches and tables. Along the route, you’ll also come across a multitude of streams and a fountain at the Col du Judenhut. After a climb of about 1 km that will warm up your legs, you can enjoy the rest of the walk, which will seem relatively easy.

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.

This hike starts in Glashütte and passes through remarkable beech forests. From the Gerstacker meadows, it offers superb views of the Thann valley and the Rosberg massif. Once you reach Roedelen, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Petit Ballon massif before returning via the pleasant Judenhut Pass trail.

A short, easy route starting from the Grand Ballon car park, offering a chance to take in the scenery from the highest point in the Vosges.

This circuit will take you to the highest peak in the Vosges, offering views of the Alps in good weather. You can admire the surrounding Vosges peaks and high-altitude villages such as Geishouse and Goldbach-Altenbach. At the start and finish points, you will find various places to eat and a shop selling local products. During the walk, don't hesitate to stop at the Haag farmhouse inn to enjoy their local cuisine or to quench your thirst.

A relatively easy walk starting from the Grand Ballon car park, offering a chance to take in the two highest peaks of the Vosges and their magnificent scenery.

This family walk takes you around the highest peak in the Vosges Mountains (1,424 metres). While enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, the Jura and the Bernese Alps, you will discover the rich flora and history of the Grand Ballon.

An easy route, gently undulating across the highest peaks of the Vosges, through stubble fields and forests. Magnificent views over the surrounding valleys.

This is an ideal short walk in hot weather, starting from the Col du Haag and passing successively by Lac du Ballon, the Roedelen farm and the Grand Ballon. As the circuit is located on the northern slope of the Grand Ballon at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, there is no need to worry about excessive heat.

This moderately difficult walk is relatively short. It is suitable for most walkers who, provided they have a minimum level of fitness, should find this route a pleasant half-day walk. Several heritage sites (crosses, a chapel, castle ruins, etc.) can be explored along the way.

The Hartmannswillerkopf (HWK, Viel Armand in French) was the scene of fierce fighting throughout 1915. Like the "South Trenches of the HWK" hike, this hike pays tribute to the combatants by following part of their trenches and shelters. It begins with an ascent of the northern slope of the massif and the German side to the summit, followed by a descent via the French side before passing by the Sicurani Chapel.

Enjoy a beautiful unobstructed view of the Thann valley from the Blaufels shelter. The route is shaded as it is mainly in the forest, ideal for hot summer days.

There are numerous lakes and passes in the Vosges. Among them are Lac du Ballon and the Col du Haag. It is possible to walk from Lac du Ballon to the Haag. Of course, those who wish to do so can continue the hike to the summit of the Grand Ballon, which is a further 30 minutes’ walk away. From the pass, the view opens out over the Thann valley and the Thanner Hubel. It is a short hike that can easily be completed in 1½ hours there and back.

At the very end of the Altvogelbach valley, a network of paths and trails takes you from the Auberge du Mehrbächel to explore the mid-altitude forest as far as the picturesque Saint-Nicolas Chapel, tucked away in the woods.

This is a relatively accessible hike, taking you from viewpoint to viewpoint to Engelbourg and the Œil de la Sorcière from Bitschwiller, then gently back up along the river on the cycle path.

Starting from Bitschwiller-lès-Thann, climb to Camp Turenne via the Wickenbaechle path, the Ostein Farm Inn, the Triade shelter and Rocher d’Ostein, then climb to Molkenrain via the Friends of Nature refuge. Return via Camp Turenne, Baerenthal, Camp des Pyramides, Place des Canaris and Roche Albert. This loop walk passes numerous vantage points overlooking the Thur Valley and the surrounding peaks, such as Thanner Hubel and the Grand Ballon, as well as iconic historical sites on theFirst World War front.

A short route with no particular difficulties, offering superb views of the Rossberg area to the south and the Petit Ballon to the north.

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 walk takes us to the Kletterbach waterfalls, the Gustiberg farm and the magnificent Lac du Ballon in its picturesque setting.

A pleasant circular on the heights of Rimbach-près-Guebwiller in beautiful forests, passing through Münsteraeckerle and Judenhut. Halfway through, why not stop off at the very friendly and cosy Ferme Auberge du Glasshütte?

Ascent to the summit of Molkenrain, situated opposite the Grand Ballon and next to the Hartmannswillerkopf, starting from Steinbach and passing through the viewpoints at Rehbrunnel and Rocher d’Ostein, as well as the Pyramides and Turenne camps, then returning via the Molkenrain ridge and the Col d’Herrenfluh, An accessible hike enjoying pleasant forest paths and high-altitude stubble fields that offer remarkable views and panoramas whilst passing through historic sites.

The Ostein farmhouse inn, located along this hike, is a great place to quench your thirst before continuing on to Steimbach. A stop at the Ostein rock offers breathtaking views of the entire valley and the Grand Ballon.

Accessible walk with two magnificent viewpoints from the Rehbrunnel rock (Wotan Oak shelter) and the Hirlenstein rock.

This hike, suitable for those with some hiking experience and/or good physical fitness, will allow you to discover the Murbach valley and its famous abbey, which exerted political, spiritual and cultural influence over a vast territory for over a thousand years. Along the way, you can enjoy several views of the abbey and the Murbach valley, as well as tables and benches where you can rest or have a picnic.

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.

This hike will allow you to discover the Murbach valley and the ruins of Hohrupf Castle.

A beautiful hike around the Murbach Valley with elevation gain and length suitable for experienced walkers. Mainly in the forest, it offers two beautiful viewpoints at the ruins of Hohrupf Castle and at the end of the walk at Ebeneck.