Issenbach and Baerenbach from Lake Alfeld

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This walk starts from the Lac d’Alfeld car park. After crossing the lake via the causeway, follow a shaded path running parallel to the Issenbach stream. Once you reach the Issenbach area, head towards this hamlet, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding valleys and peaks.

The return journey takes you to the Baerenbach farmhouse inn, then back along the same route via the forest road leading to Lac d'Alfeld.

Details

n°78677432
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.70 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 696 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 692 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,723 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,028 ft
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Lac d'Alfeld.

(S/E) Head to the embankment, turn right to walk along the lake via the embankment.

(1) At this small crossroads, turn right to follow the path marked with a Blue Rectangle.

(2) Leave the woods to reach the forest track, still marked with a Blue Rectangle. Walk along the Issenbachet stream until you reach a fork.

(3) Leave the forest road and head back into the woods by taking the marked path on the left. Continue until you reach a small crossroads.

(4) Turn right to stay on the Blue Rectangle-marked path, cross the stream and join a forest road at a bend. Follow it to the left until you reach a fork.

(5) Ignore the path on the right, which will be the return route, and continue straight on to the Issenbach Refuge.

(6) Retrace your steps back to the fork.

(5) Turn left and follow the path marked with a Blue Triangle, heading down towards the Baerenbach Farm Inn.

(7) Walk past the farm and reach a crossroads.

(8) Leave the Blue Triangle marked path, which goes left, and turn right onto the forest road. Follow it to the fork from the outward journey.

(3) Continue straight on and, following the reverse route of the outward journey, head to the Lac d'Alfed car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,028 ft - Car park at - Lac d'Alfeld
  2. 1 : mi 0.3 - alt. 2,041 ft - Junction - Lac d'Alfeld
  3. 2 : mi 0.62 - alt. 2,090 ft - Issenbach Stream
  4. 3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 2,208 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  5. 4 : mi 1.36 - alt. 2,598 ft - Small crossroads
  6. 5 : mi 1.55 - alt. 2,684 ft - Fork. Return to the refuge
  7. 6 : mi 1.74 - alt. 2,720 ft - Refuge d'Issenbach
  8. 7 : mi 2.36 - alt. 2,375 ft - Ferme-auberge du Baerenbach
  9. 8 : mi 2.47 - alt. 2,385 ft - Crossroads
  10. S/E : mi 3.7 - alt. 2,031 ft - Car park at - Lac d'Alfeld

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 12325878

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A route featuring lovely stretches through the forest, the river and a beautiful waterfall, with some lovely views.
A warm welcome at the Isenbach refuge, where you can enjoy a bowl of soup, a drink or a dessert. And a stunning panorama. From Isenbach we went on to the Mittel Gresson farmhouse inn. A lovely welcome, excellent apple tart and drinks, served with a smile. Stunning scenery to admire. Then we retraced our steps. We didn’t go to the Baerenbach farmhouse inn.
The section of the trail we followed seemed very well signposted and easy to follow.
Thank you for these hiking routes, Visorando.

Machine-translated

User 13183575

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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