The Wegscheid Volcano Forest

Large car park opposite the church on Rue Principale. Parking is prohibited beyond this point.
Bus stop opposite the Auberge du Touriste at the northern end of Rue Principale. Bus from Masevaux line 652 or from Thann line 605. In this case, the departure point is at point (1).

(S/E) From the car park, cross Rue Principale to the left of the cemetery. A path marked with a yellow sign climbs for a few dozen metres. At the crossroads, turn right and follow this path overlooking the village. Ignore the path coming from the left and emerge between the walls of a house and the Auberge du Touriste at a three-way crossroads.

(1) Cross the crossroads and take Rue du Pâtre to the left of the bus stop. Follow it, marked with red and white rectangles. It continues along a path that quickly leads to a wide carriageway on the left bank of the Kerbach. Follow this road up to a hairpin bend on the right. At this bend, continue straight ahead for a few dozen metres, towards Rossberg via Nablaswald, until you reach the access road to the Ruchberg farm.

(2) Leave the red and white markings and keep to the right to climb the Kerbach valley via the path marked with a red triangle. Initially wide, it becomes a trail after crossing the stream, then joins a forest path. Head 50 metres to the right towards the crossroads in a wide bend.

(3) Climb the embankment on the left, into the forest where a red ring marked path leads to Nablaswald. You are now entering the Volcano Forest Nature Reserve.
On the mountainside, after a series of bends and streams, you will reach a crossroads. A few metres to the right, there is an opening offering a view. Return to the crossroads.

(4) Leave the Anneau Rouge trail and take the Disque Jaune trail towards Rossberg via Fuchsfelsen. The trail winds upwards and passes close to the first rock formation, the Dürenfels (viewpoint a few metres to the right, unsecured).
Continue the ascent. In the distance on the right, you can see the impressive Fuchsfels rock⁽²⁾ with its viewpoint at the top. The slope becomes gentler.

(5) Descend to the right to continue the climb towards the Fuchsfels, which you will reach after 300 metres near a stele belonging to the Club Vosgien de Masevaux.
Stairs carved into the rock, chains and a wooden footbridge provide safe access to the viewpoint at the top, where the panorama is magnificent.
Take the Yellow Disc trail again to reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn right towards Sattelboden. You will soon reach the Rossberggesick rock with its "volcanic organs⁽³⁾". Continue south towards the well-equipped Sattelboden shelter.

(7) From the shelter, retrace your steps and immediately turn right, leaving the yellow disc markings for the yellow rectangle of the GR®532 towards Rossberg. Climb eastwards to a fork and turn left towards the north. The trail widens and reaches the Sattelhütte farm⁽⁴⁾.

(8) Take the GR®532 again, climbing steeply to the junction with the red and white rectangle trail towards Rossberg. It leaves the forest, opens onto the Rossberg stubble field and then crosses an unmarked ridge path.

(9) Turn left, leaving the summit of Rossberg behind you. Follow the ridge along a fence towards the north. Enjoy the panoramic view of both sides as you climb to the summit of Vogelstein.

(10) You will then begin your descent. The path joins the GR®5 marked with a red rectangle on the right.
Enter the forest and you will immediately come to a crossroads. A few metres to the left, the highest of the Vogelstein rocks offers an impressive view of the Volcano Forest from its summit (unsecured).

(11) Back at the crossroads, leave the blue triangle trail towards Gsang and continue downhill on the GR®5 towards Belacker. It rejoins the GR®532 coming from the left. You will reach the top of the Belacker hill.

(12) If you want to go to the farmhouse inn, continue downhill on the GR®5, which then joins the Col du Belacker, otherwise turn uphill towards the ridge on the left, marked by a long stone wall.
This path passes a memorial stone in memory of Lilly⁽⁵⁾ and reaches the crossroads at Col du Belacker.

(13) Descend to the left and immediately turn right through a metal gate. Leave the^GR®5heading north and take the path marked with a blue triangle and red and white rectangle towards Rimbach. It quickly turns south-east and the descent becomes steeper. You will reach a crossroads with a forest path.

(14) Leave the forest track marked with a blue triangle, which continues towards Stahlberg, and turn right onto the red and white rectangle trail, which descends steeply towards the west. The path meets a stream, runs alongside it, then after a footbridge, merges with a forest path. Stay on this path, cross another footbridge and you will arrive at a hairpin bend in the driveway leading to the Ruchberg farm.

(15) Take it to the left. It will quickly lead you to the crossroads of the circular route (2) where you will find the path that takes you back to the village opposite the Auberge du Touriste.

(1) You can reach the car park by following the Rue Principale towards the church (S/E).

(1): Wegscheid = crossroads. The Wegscheid volcano forest is a regional nature reserve covering more than 100 hectares. Between 700 and 1,200 metres above sea level.

(2): Fuchsfelsen or Fuchsfels = fox rock. Panoramic view from the viewpoint at the summit.

(3): Volcanic columns are rock formations created by the retraction of lava as it cools.

(4): The Sattelhutte farm (photo by M. Weber Alfred, 1924). This is an old dairy farm built in the early^{18th century}. Today, it is the headquarters of a forestry company involved in the development of the surrounding forest, which is located in a Natura 2000 area. It is essential to respect the site.

(5): Lilly Koscher was 15 years old in June 1940 when the war began. She lived on the Belacker farm. During an exchange of fire between French and German soldiers, she was killed by a stray bullet. A talented accordionist, she symbolises the injustice and absurdity of war, and this memorial stone stands as a testament to that.

At point (7): Sattelboden shelter.

Between (9) and (10): Mulhouse Ski Club refuge.

Between (12) and (13): Belacker farmhouse inn.