Donnenbach Pond via the Petite Pierre State Forest

The starting point is at the old football pitch at La Petite Pierre. Accessible by car from the D9 with a large car park. No access by public transport, although Tieffenbach-Struth station is a 15-minute cycle ride away.

(S/E) From the car park, head back onto the road and immediately turn right onto the dirt track that runs alongside the old football pitch.

(1) At the three-way junction at the corner of the field, turn right and continue along this track until you reach a cross-track.

(2) Turn left and, after about 200 m, you’ll reach a three-way junction.

(3) Take the path on the right and carry on straight ahead at the next crossroads of tracks, then look for the start of a footpath on the right (^GR®). Follow it until you reach a track.

(4) Carry on to the right and, a few metres further on, turn left onto the road. Join the^first small road on the right, the Route Forestière de Grand Kuhberg.

(5) Ignore this and take the track opposite which branches off to the left, running parallel to the departmental road. Stay on the main track and continue slightly downhill until you reach the road and then the Maison de l’Eau et de la Rivière.

(6) Carry on along the track, then take the^first left and continue alongside the pond until you reach the end.

(7) Enjoy a magnificent view of the pond, then carry on along the track. You’ll reach a fork after climbing up into a small valley on the right.

(8) Turn left to head back down the valley on the other side, then continue rightwards downhill until you come to a path branching off to the left.

(9) Take this path and cross the bridge over the Eichel, turn right onto the track and head for the next junction.

(10) Turn right and continue straight on at the following junctions. Walk alongside a pond (not very visible) on your left and arrive at a wide bend to the right. At the end of this bend, turn left and cross the stream.

(11) At the fork, take the^second path from the left. It’s a footpath with loose stones; it’s easy to ride up on an e-MTB in turbo mode. If you’re on an e-MTB, it’s easier; for regular mountain bikes, it’s tougher!

(12) At the grassy track at the top of the climb, turn right and rejoin the route you took at the start.

(3) Carry on straight ahead and, following the path in the opposite direction to the outward journey, head for the old Petite Pierre football pitch (S/E).

(6) Maison de la Rivière: you can rest and enjoy a bite to eat here in summer.

(7) A magnificent view of the pond.

(11) If you’re on an e-MTB, switch to the highest gear and use the turbo mode; for regular mountain bikes, good luck!

La Petit Pierre is a pretty village in the mid-mountains; there are plenty of restaurants, lots of shops, a castle to visit, and it’s very popular with tourists.

In Struth, there’s a honey farm that we can visit by appointment and buy delicious honey in their shop – everything is handmade.

At the Étang du Donnenbach, there’s the Maison de la Rivière, a relaxing and fun place for children.