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Park in the free car park ( compulsory for hikers), opposite the church in Rimbach-près-Masevaux.
(S/E) From the church, turn right onto the main street and head uphill until you reach the Auberge du Touriste.
(1) Turn left into Rue du Belacker, then 100 m further on, at the next Fork in the road, turn left again into Rue du Sternsee. (Yellow Ring) until you reach a junction.
(2) Turn right, cross the footbridge (Blue Triangle signpost) and climb up to a multi-way junction at elevation 745.
(3) Ignore the path leading to the Riesenwald Farm. Continue up the steep path through the Riesenwald forest, passing above the farm (Blue Triangle to Lac des Perches).
(4) Just before reaching the lake, enjoy a view over the valley and the village of Rimbach-près-Masevaux. Continue to the lake (alt. 984m) and reach the dam.
(5) Walk to the far right of the dam, then down below, take the Blue Rectangle-marked GR®531 path, which runs along the right-hand side of the lake towards the north. Then, via a series of short, steep switchbacks, climb to the Col des Perches at an altitude of 1070m.
(6) At the junction, turn left (Red Rectangle with a white bar) for a return walk of about 300 m to reach the viewpoint above a scree slope overlooking the lake. Not recommended for children, or else hold their hands on tricky sections. The path is secured by metal plates and handrails, and is well worth the detour.
(7) A major viewpoint over the lake, with a bench and table for a short break. Enjoy the view over the Urbès valley.
Turn back and return to the pass junction.
(6) Then follow the path (Red Rectangle with a White Rectangle) eastwards. You’ll reach the summit of the Rimbachkopf at an altitude of 1,195 metres.
(8) Continue eastwards, then south-east along the GR®5 (Red Rectangle with a White Rectangle, a variant of the GR®5), to reach the Mittelrainkopf at an altitude of 1,101 metres.See Practical Information.
(9) Continue south-east, passing beneath the Johanneskopf, and carry on towards the Rimbach Pass at an elevation of 940 metres. You will arrive shortly before the Mollau Youth Hut.
(10) A lovely hut for 6 people with a table and 2 benches. Carry on a little further to reach the pass and its multi-directional junction.
(11) Head east again, following the GR®5 (Red Rectangle with a white bar) to the gate at a crossroads at an elevation of 982 metres.
(12) Head eastwards, climbing slightly (Red Rectangle with a white bar), until you reach the path which leads, 300 m further on, to the Ferme-Auberge du Belacker on the other side to the left behind the hillock.
(13) Lovely view from the farmhouse inn’s terrace. Turn back and return to the crossroads with the gate.
(12) Head left downstream, passing through a small gate, along the GR®5 (Red Rectangle with a White Rectangle) towards Rimbach. You’ll reach a track suitable for vehicles.
(14) Cross it, push open the small gate and take the path opposite (White Rectangle and Red Rectangle) down a lovely descent. You’ll reach the access road to the Ferme du Ruchberg (inn closed).
(15) Staying on the GR®5 (Red Rectangle with a White Rectangle), continue along the road until you spot the Chemin Altenweg on the left before a bridge, followed by a crossroads.
(16) Follow this path to the junction at the Auberge du Tourisme.
(1) Walk down the street, in the opposite direction to the way you came, to return to the car park (S/E).
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