Alfeld Lake - Rundkopf - Boedelen - Alfeld Lake

de fr

Enjoy the hike! It's not very long, but there's quite a bit of elevation gain. The first part is quite steep, but the trails are pleasant

Details

n°5165
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 457 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 452 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,038 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 618 m
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Photos

Refuge
The boedelen
Rundkopf
View of the Sewen Valley

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Lake Alfeld.
(S) Cross the dam and start climbing up the path marked with red Xs at the end of the dam.
(1) On the way up, on the left, take a detour to see the Wasserfall waterfall (it's worth the short walk). Return to the trail marked with red Xs.

(2) At the end of the switchbacks, you will arrive at the Wasserfall refuge. Continue left, passing by the Rundkopf.

(3) At the next intersection, begin the descent to the left, following the red X (ignore the blue circle that climbs up to the Ballon d'Alsace). The descent continues steeply until you reach a pretty clearing, where the trail continues with a slight incline to the Club Vosgien du Boedelen refuge. Continue on a path to the left until you reach the road, leaving the red X sign on your right, which climbs towards the ski slopes.

(4) There, follow the red round markings opposite, which cross the D466 and follow them until you return to Lac d'Alfeld (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 618 m - Parking at &gt - Lac d'Alfeld
  2. 1 : km 0.91 - alt. 717 m - Cascade du Lac d'Alfeld
  3. 2 : km 1.83 - alt. 877 m - Turn left
  4. 3 : km 2.9 - alt. 1,038 m - Go down to the left
  5. 4 : km 4.72 - alt. 797 m - Cross the road
  6. S/E : km 7.17 - alt. 618 m - Parking at Lake Alfeld

Notes

Of course, as with any hike, good walking shoes, water and a few provisions are essential!
Along the way, you will find two shelters and a farmhouse inn where you can take shelter and refuel.
Hike completed in the rain in 4.5 hours with two children aged 5 and 7!

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
ML068
ML068

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 10 August, starting at 4pm and finishing at 7pm with three stops to cool down. Good climb at the start, as described. We appreciated our hiking poles! The route is 99% shaded!
The waterfall was not very interesting due to the very low water flow at this time of year!
We had a picnic by the lake! We'll do it again in the autumn and go all the way to the balloon!

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Stef 90
Stef 90

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with a steep climb at the start and a gradual, pleasant descent
a leisurely 2½ hours with the family
Two or three beautiful viewpoints and a very nice refuge open every weekend with a friendly warden all year round and places to stock up on supplies
Best done in dry weather

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Cracos
Cracos

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A somewhat challenging hike (elevation gain)
Take care in wet conditions or when leaves are falling in autumn (risk of slipping, especially on the descent)
Suitable footwear and walking sticks are essential.
A beautiful hike in the mid-range mountains.

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jean-David
jean-David
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Enjoy your hike. There are few viewpoints, but they are magnificent. The slope is steep at the beginning. Shady. We came face to face with a chamois.

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gourdegu
gourdegu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely forest trail, with few views. Steep at the start.

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gourdegu
gourdegu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely forest trail, with few views. Steep at the start.

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pierrettemeta
pierrettemeta

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A challenging but enjoyable hike
Watch out for rocks on the descent
Beautiful views

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Jean PARROT
Jean PARROT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A relatively short but quite challenging route, given the elevation gain. A pleasant treasure hunt, beautiful views, very pleasant and well-marked trail

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Marchefit
Marchefit

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Hike completed on 27 July 2018 early in the morning, mainly due to the heat. Most of the route is in the shade of the forest, so it's very pleasant in hot weather, but you can't see much of the landscape. The hike took 2 hours and 40 minutes of actual walking time. It was very noisy from the start and there are a lot of stones, so it's not recommended in wet weather. Good walking shoes are essential.

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Gilbert POMMIER
Gilbert POMMIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike with excellent signage and markings
significant elevation gain beautiful views

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bellou63
bellou63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good climb for the first part of the hike, but a beautiful view at the top. The descent is a bit steep with lots of rocks.

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23011939
23011939

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did this hike on Sunday, 25 March 2018, with snow on the higher ground.
Thank you for your ideas
Michel Kempff

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chistophe90
chistophe90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike. If you enjoy climbing, you will love the first third of the route.
Be careful, however, as this steep section can be very slippery in wet weather (rocks and leaves).
The refuges are very pleasant and the route offers beautiful views.
The clearing before Boedelen is really lovely!

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Marcheurs du mardi
Marcheurs du mardi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's a shame that the streams and waterfalls are dry due to the heatwave.
Hike completed on 24 August with a 9-year-old child. Despite the bright sunshine, the route is very shaded.

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valericlou
valericlou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Couple aged 45 with a 10-year-old girl. We only walk during our 15 days of summer holiday. We love it but hardly ever walk during the rest of the year.
We thoroughly enjoyed this hike, but only after we had done it

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