Grendelbruch-Purpurkopf-Hoderbusch-Verlorene Eck-Col du Jaegertaennel.

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route; we’d already done it in September 2023, but point S/E is still just as ‘tricky’ to figure out; we eventually found the marked path mentioned in point 2, but at the start there was neither a green ring nor a yellow disc, just a blue cross; the green ring is visible a few metres further on to the right; and the yellow disc appears a little further along the route
Excavations at the Purpurkopf site have made good progress since our last visit; congratulations to the volunteers
The Verlorene Eck is a very peaceful spot; there are options for picnicking in the shade or out in the open; the chalet located here is large and very pretty; there are also several benches and tables along the route
Fortunately, the map was a great help, as was the phone (GPS)

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting and varied route.
A few difficulties in the description, which were well described in Zielinski's review.
Otherwise, a very beautiful walk.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, mainly on small paths.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant route: very peaceful, shaded, beautiful springtime beech forests, 3 picnic areas (tables, benches, shelters).

Machine-translated

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route, taken after several days of heavy rain, resulting in a lot of mud in places.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Overall, a pleasant route. Mostly shaded, but there are some sunny sections. Note regarding point 2: there is indeed a path that climbs up opposite once you have crossed the D266, but at the start there is no green ring or yellow disc, only a blue cross.
Congratulations to the volunteers who have been working on the Purpurkopf for just over a year.
The "das verlorene Eck" site is very relaxing and has several picnic areas (covered or uncovered).
As for the section of the route marked with blue signs, you need to pay close attention as the signs are often painted on trees and therefore not very visible.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Forest route, including a visit to the Purpurkopf archaeological site, a lovely spot for a picnic at the Verlorene Eck chalet, and a look at the Ochsenlager forest house. The paths and trails are fairly easy.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Path without rocks, very pleasant in warm weather, with plenty of shade, vegetation and streams; few viewpoints and hardly any memorable ones. Places of interest: the ongoing archaeological exploration of Purpurkopf, the "megalithic display" at Verlorene Eck (https://www.lieux-insolites.fr/basrhin/e...) and the Ochsenlaeger Forest House.
However, there are a few hesitations or thoughts about the route; the description may need some adjustments and comments. I suggest:
Point (2): "the marked trail..." -> "The steep trail, visible opposite with a blue cross painted next to a green ring, leading to 'Green Ring and Yellow Disc'."
Point (4): Replace the paragraph with: "There are two options: 1) The circular trail, which can be taken on the right or left, bypassing the summit of Purpurkopf, where archaeological excavations are taking place - 2) The direct round trip to the summit of Purpurkopf (according to a sign, 5 minutes to reach it)."
Point (4): "On this space -> and two benches" Replace the paragraph with "For groups: There are several benches on this site."
Point (5): "with a view of the Heidenkopf" NOTE: We did not find any view of the Heidenkopf, whose tower we hoped to see. Should we have deviated from our route? To be clarified. On the other hand, there is a very nice CV sign with (finally!) a precise presentation of the Club's signage.
Point (6): "keeping to the right" NOTE: The IGN map shows a remarkable beech tree near the path that veers to the left. We did not see it, but Google ('Grendelbuch – Beech') shows an image of a tree that is certainly massive but particularly decayed... Worth exploring on the way back.
Point (7): Replace the paragraph with: "Continue south on the GR®531. In the large left-hand bend in the track, turn right onto an uphill path (blue rectangle). You will reach the tarmac of the Ochsenlaeger Forest Road, which you take to the right for about a hundred metres."
Point (8): "Chevalet Bleu" NOTE: Chevalet Bleu signage is quite rare and sometimes improvised (paint on the back of a road sign, etc.) on this section.
CAUTION: take the shortcut to the Col du Jaegertaennel on the left of the track, otherwise you will have to make a long, uninteresting hairpin turn.
In any case, our thanks go to the "Branquignols, Alsaciens épicurieux", authors of this overall pleasant route.

Machine-translated