Lac d'Alfeld walks

A peaceful hike that will take you to Sewen Lake and its peat bogs, then to Alfeld Lake, which is very different with its dam. The path is flat until you reach the foot of the dam, then climbs a little.

Along the banks of the Doller and then the Wagenstall waterfalls, reach the peaceful stubble fields of the narrow Grand Langenberg valley near an authentic farmhouse inn. Then descend to the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace towards the impressive glacial basin of Lake Alfeld, which dominates the Doller valley. Finally, return along the tumultuous Seebach, which calms down in a wet and marshy meadow, before dying in the peat bogs of Lake Sewen. Please note that theGR®®531is sometimes obstructed (forestry work, overgrown vegetation, fallen trees, etc.) and maintenance is sometimes delayed. In this case, take the Fennematt path along the left bank of the Doller (marked with triangles and red trestles) and rejoin the route at point (1) or point (3).

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

This is a beautiful hike offering views of and above the lakes. You will feel cool as most of the hike takes place in the forest (open areas: downstream from the Baerenbach farmhouse inn, the same for the Gresson moyen and the Haute Bers).

Discover the Roches de Morteville, Lake Sewen and Lake Alfeld, the large rock, the statue of Joan of Arc and the waterfalls. A hike bordering on the (very) difficult. GPX track strongly recommended. Route between (5) and (7) updated on 13 May 2025

A short distance but a steep climb await you. This is therefore a fairly challenging hike. The main attraction of the hike is discovering the steep slopes of the Vosges on the Alsace side. The summit of Ballon d'Alsace is accessible by car.

If you want an alternative between several circuits between Lac d'Alfeld and the summit of Ballon d'Alsace, here is one that combines routes ranging from easy to difficult and takes you past the old farm ruins that dotted the massif before the Second World War. Here is one that combines routes ranging from easy to difficult and allows you to discover the old ruined farms that dotted the mountains before the Second World War.

A very beautiful circular trail with a wide variety of landscapes: beech and fir forests, meadows and pastures, and Vosges lakes nestled in their green surroundings. The trails themselves are equally varied: steep and rocky, wide and gently sloping, or narrow paths between the trees. Some beautiful viewpoints. Several possible stops in inns (check closing days) or mountain huts.

After dawdling along Lake Alfeld, you climb up following the Issenbach Canal. Crossing a moraine reminds you that you are on granite terrain. Arriving at the Issenbach Refuge, you can enjoy a picnic on a grassy terrace facing the Sewen Valley or, further on, a meal at the Baerenbach farmhouse inn. Then the climb along the Seebach is magical, with its small, steep-sided gorges and numerous small waterfalls.

Belle randonnée en montagne entre forêts et chaumes d'altitude.

A hike for those who enjoy a good trudge. The hike can be done in winter, if necessary with snowshoes, bearing in mind the steep gradients encountered throughout the route and particularly over the final few hundred metres. A beautiful hike with Lac d'Alfed as the focal point and the climb up to the ridge.

The Ballon d'Alsace is accessible from several points. Its summit is accessible by road. The more athletic may wish to attempt this circular route starting from Sewen, which offers a few points of interest, notably Lake Alfeld. The return route follows the ridges for the most part, offering views that sometimes stretch as far as the first Alpine peaks when the weather permits. There are numerous shortcuts available to shorten the circular route. Hike accessible via Sewen station (11 GD RUE).

This walk starts from the Lac d’Alfeld car park. After crossing the lake via the causeway, follow a shaded path running parallel to the Issenbach stream. Once you reach the Issenbach area, head towards this hamlet, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding valleys and peaks. The return journey takes you to the Baerenbach farmhouse inn, then back along the same route via the forest road leading to Lac d'Alfeld.

A lovely walk with views over the lakes, the summit of the Ballon d’Alsace and the Sewen valley. Our group opted to hike without snowshoes; snow cover was patchy, with more in the wooded areas.

A circular route starting and finishing at the Alfeld Lake car park. It follows the Issenbach stream to the refuge of the same name, then on to the Baerenbach Farm Inn, which is the turning point, before following the Baerenbach and Seebach streams back towards Alfeld Lake.

This mountain hike takes about 3½ hours and starts at the shores of Lake Alfeld, at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace, and ends at the Gresson farmhouse inn, passing by the Baerenbach farmhouse inn and the spectacular little Seebach glacial canyon.