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Arriving via Muhlbach/Bruche, follow “Grendelbruch” to the top of Grendelbruch where a wide, open plateau opens up. Take the dirt track to the left then head towards the “stadium” where you can park. Car park behind the stadium.
(S/E) From the car park, head back to the D204 (Route de Schirmeck).
(1) Cross it carefully as visibility is poor, turn right and follow the road for about a hundred metres to find the start of the GR®532, marked with a Yellow Rectangle. Follow it to the Piton du Falkenstein. It offers a beautiful view. Watch out for children.
(2) Continue left (southwards) to the Col du Bruchberg.
(3) Cross the small road (Chemin du Muckenbach) and take the path opposite for about thirty metres. At the Club Vosgien sign, keep left onto the path marked with a Red Rectangle crossed by a White Rectangle (variant of the GR®5). After about 400 m , ignore the marked path branching off to the left and continue straight ahead on the unmarked path through the stubble towards the summit of Schelmeck (753 m), enjoying the 360° panorama.
(4) Continue downhill, cross a forest track and carry on straight ahead along a grassy path. Ignore the path branching off to the left and, at the next two-way junction, keep to the right. The route crosses a well-shaded forest to rejoin the track crossed earlier and the GR®532.
(5) Continue left along this path for about 400 m, then turn left to climb up, following the Red Disc markings to the Col du Birleylaeger. At the pass,note the twin trees on the left.
(6)Ignore the forest track coming from the right and climb the unmarked grassy path, heading due south. At the next junction, keep left and reach the summit (908 m). Once in a clearing, descend to the left, heading due south along a steep path to reach the Col de la Franzluhr (a sunny table and bench).
(7) Continue to the right until you reach a three-way junction and turn right (marked with a Yellow Cross). At the next two two-way junctions, keep to the right and follow this path to Kohlplatz (table and bench on the left).
(8) Cross the forest track opposite and take the path on the right (Blue Triangle). Be careful, keep your eyes peeled, as it is not very visible. The route is well shaded, through a beautiful forest leading to Mullerplatz.
(9) Cross the road and continue straight ahead, then immediately turn right (Red Ring and Blue Triangle) towards Teufelsloch. Atthe first forest path (water catchment source opposite), take the new road leading left to Teufelsloch (closed refuge but table and bench)
(10) Walk a few metres further and you will see the Struthof Deportation Camp memorial opposite. Continue to the right and follow the Green Ring markings, which will take you through Hungary along a pleasant path between forest and meadow.
(11) Follow these markings until you come to a path, which you should take to the right. At the next junction, turn left. The route becomes a narrow path, still well signposted, running alongside the Route Forestière du Pré (without crossing it). Then, via a wide path, you’ll reach the Route Forestière de la Marbrière.
(12) Turn left. After about 300 m, you’ll reach the Marbrière shelter. A lovely clearing with several tables and benches outside or under the shelter. Before setting off again, do pop into the woods to the right of the shelter and take a look at the panoramic view of the Bruche Valley that unfolds before you.
(13) Retrace your steps back to the junction coming from La Hongrie, which you took on the way there
(12) Continue along the Route Forestière de la Marbrière. Further on, you’ll reach another forest road; follow it to the left, cross the picturesque Russ stream and reach a drinking water plant.
(14) From there (at a place called Jardin Batlo), take a steep path to the right, following the Muckenbach stream (Yellow Ring). Atthe first junction , take a sharp left and continue for about 200 m. Climb the stony path to the right. Please note: after 50 m, the route takes a sharp right-hand bend and becomes a path, still stony, marked with a Red Disc and Red Ring. Follow the markings carefully, as towards the end it no longer looks like a path but remains clearly marked. Once on the ridge, take the path on the right to reach the Heidekopf (673 m).
(15) Continuing straight on, you will soon reach the Refuge des Amis de la Nature and the Muckenbach holiday camp.
(16) Cross the entire hamlet. Once you reach the small road serving the area, follow the fence of the holiday centre, then take a sharp left-right turn to take the small wooden staircase that climbs steeply to the right.
(17) Enter the forest; the path turns sharply to the right. After a few metres, take the small path on the left which leads out into the meadows and follow the grassy path that climbs gently until it joins the grassy track between Schelmeck and the Col de Bruchberg encountered on the way out, and take this to the left until you reach the pass and the road (Chemin du Muckenbach).
(3)Cross it,then leave the path coming from Piton du Falkenstein (which you took on the way out) to your left and continue straight ahead, following the Yellow Triangle markings. Walk downhill through a pleasant forest. The path forms a double zigzag halfway down.
(18) Continue to the right and follow the Yellow Triangle markings until you reach a small grassy path via a small wooden staircase. From there, head straight ahead for about 200 m; the markings are still there but the path is barely visible. Reach the access path to Piton du Falkenstein taken on the outward journey.
(1) Turn right. Cross the road with care(poor visibility) and, following the reverse route of the outward journey, walk up the dirt track to the left for a few metres, then head towards the stadium to return to the car park (S/E).
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Moderate 
