La Chaume du Haïcot and Les Deux Brézouard from Échery

One of the most beautiful slopes in the Vosges to climb one of the highest peaks in the Vosges, with, as a reward on a clear day, a view of the Bernese Jura and its trilogy of legendary peaks: the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau, i.e. the Ogre, the Monk and the Virgin. In autumn, when the mist sets in and the days grow shorter, early morning hikers will be impressed by the bellowing of the stags. This route is far from any noise pollution.

Details

n°2069694

Creation:
12 May 2019

Last update:
09 Oct 2025

Last review:
08 Dec 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 16.42 km
Average duration: 7h 15
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 885 m
Descent: - 883 m
Highest point: 1,227 m
Lowest point: 423 m

Country: France
Area: Vosges mountains
District: Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (68160)
Start/End: N 48.232243° / E 7.161695°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3617ET, 3617ETR, 3718OT, 3718OTR
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Description of the walk

Please note: between (4) and (6), the path has been unmarked. The^GR®5(marked with a red rectangle) now goes directly from the crossroads (near the Refuge des Amis de la Nature) to the Cabane du Club Vosgien. See Practical Information.

In the centre of Échery, cross the small bridge on the left and park immediately on the left on the Place des Mineurs.

(S/E) Leave the car park towards the clock tower and take the small tarmac road on the right, marked with a yellow cross, towards Haïcot-Brezouard, which climbs very quickly. When you reach the edge of the forest, take the middle path, marked with a yellow cross, which is the steepest of the three and of medium width. Continue to the crossroads where a track cuts across this path perpendicularly.

(1) Ignore the track and continue straight ahead on the path marked with a yellow cross. The path follows the ridge line closely, with the Rauental valley to the south-east on the left and the Liepvrette valley to the north-west on the right. You will come to a high-voltage power line.

(2) Continue southwards, going straight ahead at the crossroads and leaving the memorial to the German Alpine Hunters on your right. You will arrive at Chaume du Haïcot.

(3) Take the unmarked path that climbs between the thatched roofs and the forest to reach the summit. Turn left and enter the forest, where the path slopes slightly downhill to a large crossroads where you can reach the Refuge des Amis de la Nature on the left.

(4) Take the path marked with a red rectangle, which is the^GR®5, and follow it to the summit of Grand Brézouard.

(5) Continue on the^GR® to easily reach the Cabane du Club Vosgien.

(6) Begin the short climb to the summit of Petit Brézouard.

(7) Stay on the^GR® and head north-east to reach a crossroads of paths and tracks.

(8) Continue along the wide path marked with red and yellow rectangles, which is a section shared by^{the GR®5}and 532 trails, until you reach the Cabane de la Pierre des 3 Bans crossroads.

(9) Leave the^GR®5here and keep left on the^GR®532marked with a yellow rectangle to reach a new crossroads.

(10) Leave the wide path and take the Red-White-Red marked trail on the left. Continue to the Herment hut crossroads

(11) Turn sharply left onto a wide path marked with a red disc, which leads to the old mines at Zillardhoff.

(12) Descend the path on the right, following the stream. Pass the houses of Saint-Pierre-sur-l'Hâte before reaching the Échery car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 423 m - Échery centre, Place des Mineurs. Close to the - Lièpvrette (rivière)
1 : km 0.88 - alt. 592 m - Track junction
2 : km 3.74 - alt. 947 m - Monument to the German Alpine Hunters
3 : km 4.66 - alt. 1,060 m - Chaume du Haïcot
4 : km 5.17 - alt. 1,078 m - Carrefour Refuge Amis de la Nature
5 : km 5.99 - alt. 1,227 m - Summit of - Brézouard
6 : km 6.58 - alt. 1,182 m - Club Vosgien hut between the two Brezouard peaks
7 : km 6.76 - alt. 1,205 m - Petit Brézouard
8 : km 7.37 - alt. 1,108 m - Crossroads
9 : km 9.96 - alt. 1,128 m - Pierre des 3 Bans hut. Close to &gt - Hirzberg
10 : km 10.89 - alt. 1,023 m - Fork to the left
11 : km 12.45 - alt. 737 m - Crossroads at the Herment hut
12 : km 14.39 - alt. 650 m - Zillardhoff
S/E : km 16.42 - alt. 423 m - Échery centre, Place des Mineurs

Notes

As part of the Quiétude Attitude programme, it is strongly recommended that you stay on the marked trails in order to preserve the tranquillity of the wildlife. See the new route of the GR°°®°°5.

Be careful of the steep slope during the first 2 kilometres.
two shelters: at the pass between Les Deux Brezouard and the Pierre des Trois Bans hut.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

KIEFFER PIERRE

08 Dec 2025 at 11:28 3600

Well done, well done!

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User 9966448

08 Dec 2025 at 10:27 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's going up, it's going up! It's sporty!

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KIEFFER PIERRE

09 Oct 2025 at 11:37 7200 • Edited: 09 Oct 2025 at 11:40 7200

Hello
Thank you for your opinions and comments.
My description is the "light" version. Usually, we head to Col des Bagenelles, go up the meadow with the ski lift, then head to Col du Pré de Rave, and then we almost always stay on the ridge, going over 3-4 bumps until we reach the tree and the beautiful Cabane de la Liberté. From there, descend to the right, following the red disc towards the Côte d'Echery. The journey on the tarmac is long. A first path leaves the tarmac. Don't miss the second path on the right at the school, which leads back to the car park.
Enjoy your hike.
Pierre

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mbau

08 Oct 2025 at 20:24 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

Thank you for this superb hike!
What I remember most is the climb: absolutely fantastic, steep and long, just how I like it, going through a magnificent forest and offering superb views.
The descent seemed a little less interesting to me, but it has the advantage of being gentler — perfect for saving your knees 😉.
I'm already planning to do it again, trying out other variations for the descent... but the climb is perfect as it is!

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KIEFFER PIERRE

01 Sep 2025 at 11:24 7200

It is true that the start is "rough"

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KIEFFER PIERRE

01 Sep 2025 at 11:24 7200

Thank you for your comment.
Travel and nuisances: I completely agree, considering that a respectful hiker is also part of the wildlife and can thrive in almost any biotope.
Happy hiking!
Pierre

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Vogepat

01 Sep 2025 at 11:18 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with a sudden start.
second visit to Petit and Grand Brézouard via the classic route, considering that my nuisance will be less than the overcrowding on the ridges (motorbikes and luxury cars parading noisily on the roads) and protected areas with dogs running free among the herds (two bites on my account)
Foggy weather and few people around.

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KIEFFER PIERRE

21 Jul 2025 at 16:30 7200

Mickerle, thank you for your comment.
Closure of the Grand Brezouard: I don't understand what they're trying to preserve on the few square metres of this summit. There's nothing there. Deer and other cervids have plenty of space to roam around, and the famous black grouse disappeared long ago and will never return.
I'm not one to destroy everything like the loggers do, nor am I one to sanctify everything. Humans still have a place on this planet.
I consider this closure to be a purely bureaucratic decision and that the Club Vosgien's instructions do not have the force of law.
Enjoy your walks!
Pierre

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Mickerle

21 Jul 2025 at 14:16 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

the hike is still very difficult
the Grand Brezouard was closed and we couldn't go around the Haycot because the hay
hadn't been harvested yet
Otherwise, it was a very beautiful hike

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KIEFFER PIERRE

24 Feb 2025 at 13:57 3600

Dear Madam
Let's not exaggerate: mass hiking is not as widespread as you claim, based entirely on empirical evidence. It's not like the Pyramids of Egypt or the main thoroughfare in Venice!

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ecm2

24 Feb 2025 at 13:24 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views over several valleys and the Alsace plain. The climb is quite steep, so strong calves are a must.
As disciplined hikers, we did not climb Grand Brézouard, as the GR trail was unmarked and a large banner prohibiting access to the quiet zone was displayed. However, during our break at the Club Vosgien chalet, we saw several groups who did not bother to comply. This is a shame, especially as we have done it before and there is not really a view.
Apart from at the summit, we didn't meet anyone, but there were lots of cars parked at La Chaume du Haycot.
The return trip was a little less enjoyable, a little monotonous, but it was a beautiful day.
Thank you

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8500633301

28 Oct 2024 at 18:04 3600

we set off from Col des Bagenelles to hike around Brézouard. The views were beautiful, but when we arrived at the Brézouard refuge, we wondered what kind of people had been there, as there was so much rubbish.

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virgule

24 Sep 2024 at 10:59 7200

When certain trails in Taennchel were closed, I cried foul. That was ten years ago. Back then, there wasn't the same level of overcrowding that we see today. Looking back, I understand the decision better now.

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virgule

23 Sep 2024 at 16:23 7200

Hello,
Apart from stuffed ones in inns, I've never seen any capercaillies. The problem is that these routes in the Vosges are extremely busy, especially in recent years. There are large car parks everywhere, so anyone can come, especially people who have no respect for the area. To see if a trail is busy, I count the dirty tissues on the paths. You can even see tour operators with groups of walkers in the areas with the most beautiful views.

I think removing the markings from overused trails is a good thing, because there will obviously be far fewer people, and nature will reclaim its rights.

At Taennchel, which I know well, some trails have been de-marked and completely closed off. There are now multiple prohibition signs and large red nets blocking the way.
Like here:
https://servimg.com/view/11679617/301

The place has lost some of its charm. It seems to me that it would have been enough to simply remove the markings. But I understand the aim of the conservationists, because at the weekend, it really is very busy up there.

For my part, I only go to these areas out of season and in bad weather. And I prefer to take the unmarked trails. When the Club Vosgien was founded in 1872, they never imagined that people would drive to the summits, leave rubbish behind, and go there just to take photos. I have a feeling that we will only start to address the harmful effects of mass hiking when it is too late.

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KIEFFER PIERRE

23 Sep 2024 at 14:13 7200

Thank you for your comment.
The quiet zone: in 30 years of hiking along this trail, I have never seen a single feather or hair. Will the quiet zone reverse this trend? I am also not convinced that the "devastation" caused by the ONF promotes tranquillity. In over 60 years of hiking in the Vosges, I have probably seen ONE capercaillie!
Le Grand Brezouard: the view is not particularly spectacular. It's more about having climbed it, as it is one of the highest peaks in the Vosges. Of course, it's not Everest!
Happy hiking!

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Author

Pierre K67
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