The source of the Doller at the start of the Lachtelweiher

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This hike will take you to the Source de la Doller, which, contrary to what you might think, does not originate at the Ballon d'Alsace, but below the Schlumpf. During the hike, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Doller valley and have the opportunity to eat at one of the farmhouse inns along the route.

Details

n°2011
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 348 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 352 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,020 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 735 m
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Photos

Snow-covered path on this hike from Lachtelweiher
Lachtelweiher
Source de la Doller
The power of nature

Description of the walk

Park in the Lachtelweiher car park.

(S/E) Join the tarmac road you took to get to the car park, heading uphill. This road ends quickly.

(1) Turn right, following the blue ring markings towards the Ferme Auberge du Lochberg. You will mainly cross meadows and a few patches of forest.

(2) At Lochberg, turn right, still following the blue ring markings, and join a slight ridge in the forest. Then turn left, following the blue triangle markings until you see the Schlumpf ski lift. You will then have a magnificent view of the Doller valley, including Dolleren.

(3) Turn left following the blue triangle signs and descend slightly through the meadows towards the Ferme-Auberge de la Fennematt.

(4) Turn left (blue rectangle sign) and 250 metres further on, you will arrive at the source of the Doller.
The Doller takes its name from the Celtic word "Die Oller", which means running water.

(5) Immediately after, turn right to climb a little and join the red and white rectangle sign a little further on.

The trail then takes you into the forest and begins to descend gently, passing close to the Baerenkopf viewpoint (which you can quickly reach by turning right and walking back).

(6) Continue downhill following the red and white rectangular markings.

(7) At the fork in the Red and White Rectangle markings, turn left and head towards the meadows. Then turn left, following the Blue Rectangle markings, to return to (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 760 m - Lachtelweiher car park
  2. 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 759 m - Lachtelweiher
  3. 2 : km 1.44 - alt. 902 m - Ferme-Auberge du Lochberg
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 1,000 m - Point de vue du Schlumpf
  5. 4 : km 3.78 - alt. 923 m - Ferme-Auberge de la Fennematt
  6. 5 : km 3.93 - alt. 936 m - Source of the - Source de la Doller
  7. 6 : km 5.15 - alt. 1,002 m - Baerenkopf
  8. 7 : km 7.2 - alt. 791 m - Crossroads
  9. S/E : km 8.33 - alt. 760 m - Lachtelweiher car park

Notes

Wear suitable walking shoes, even if the trails are not difficult.

Bring water and a few provisions. Or plan to eat along the way, at the Lochberg farmhouse inn (2) or at the Fennematt (4).

There is a shelter near the Schlumpf.

The climb can also be done via the trail that starts at the end of the car park. The view is unobstructed.

Worth a visit

(5) Don't miss the Source de la Doller on the route!

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 57 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 11223070

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk despite the heatwave. Everything was fine until points 2 and 3, where we lost the trail (no other paths or markings). As we had gone too far downhill, we left the woods and came out onto an unpaved road, which we followed to the Lachtelweiher car park. As a storm was brewing, we didn't look any further.

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ottrott
ottrott

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk to do in good weather. Superb scenery.

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The fact that it was a Sunday explains why so many people came, but it wasn't a problem. Fog as far as Lachtelweiher, then fine sunshine.

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pietineur
pietineur

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk in superb weather and picnic on the ridge with a 360° view. Surprised by the new building on the site of the Fennmat farm, which somewhat alters the wild landscape I knew.

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Luk
Luk

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

At point 2, if you follow the itinerary, you'll come to a small mountain chalet where you can find shelter or a bite to eat.

At point 5, just after turning right, don't hesitate to cross part of the meadow to pick up the path again.

Conclusion: next time, I'll do it the other way round to make the most of this gradual ascent through the undergrowth. Then arrive at the chalet, take a break and get a snack from the bag.
Continue on to the Lochberg farm and take a coffee break. The blueberry tart is excellent.

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matt068
matt068
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

I walked this route as part of my journey from Niederbruck to the Baerenkopf.
Although I didn't do it, I think it's possible to do the Lachtelweiher tour.
I stopped for lunch at the Lochberg farmhouse inn, which was very welcoming.

Next, the source of the Doller is not really signposted (no doubt to protect the resource). You have to head for the Fennmatt (the German residence) and that's just ahead.

Finally, I climbed up to Baerenkopft (which was no longer part of this hike).
Apart from a good climb, the summit is disappointing.
There is an alpine club hut, but no visibility;
everything is covered by trees.

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Coll Robin
Coll Robin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It must be very busy in summer, but we went in March and hardly saw anyone!
Beautiful views. But you still have to climb!
But it's easily done if you have a bit of practice!

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danlutterrando
danlutterrando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

easy walk for all ages

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FGECAYA
FGECAYA

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

LOVELY HIKE WITH BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND A HEARTY LUNCH AT THE AUBERGE DU LOCHBERG.

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Greyflannel
Greyflannel

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice, easy hike.
Random signposting after the Lochberg farmhouse inn.

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jackybois
jackybois

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello. Lovely walk in beautiful sunshine. No particular problems, accessible to all. Just one small problem: after the source of the Doller continue for about 300m on the main path and don't miss the unmarked path that rises to the right. A little further up you'll find the red, white and red markings. It might be useful to add this information to the description.
Jackybois

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Barbe à fleurs
Barbe à fleurs

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk!
Absolute peace and quiet, magnificent views, a splendid forest with trees of immense trunks, paths lined with old low walls covered in moss, an enchantment!

Small change in the explanations: after point 3, you descend through the meadows towards the Fennematt, following the blue triangles. And as for the Fennematt, it's brand new!
Otherwise, nothing to complain about...
Be careful though, there's still a lot of snow on the way.

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odnar6
odnar6

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk on a pleasant afternoon, alternating between forest and pasture. Start of the hike with a slight climb to warm up.

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olivier6868
olivier6868

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk, alternating between meadows and mostly wooded areas, ideal on a hot day. No major difficulties. Very few people on the route despite the full car parks by the lake. Some fine views along the way, particularly of the Lochberg valley. In the meadows near the Sommerseite shelter, a number of beautiful trees invite you to put your bag down for a bite to eat. Things to do

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pierre LAB 90
pierre LAB 90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk to do

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