Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet

de fr

Lac Vert (1,044 m) owes its name to the colour it takes on in summer due to the proliferation of algae. Lac des Truites (or Forlet) is the highest lake in the Vosges mountains at 1,066 m.
Both are located in former glacial cirques dominated by the Hautes Chaumes.

Details

n°2463497
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.44 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 396 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 396 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,303 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,053 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Lac du Forlet or Lac des Truites.
Vosges cow
Panoramic
View of Lake Forlet

Description of the walk

Hautes Chaumes, car park at the junction with the Lac Vert path, accessible via the Route des Crêtes (D61 closed in winter).

(S/E) Take theGR®5(Red Rectangle) north-northeast towards Gazon du Faing.

(1) At Gazon du Faing, enjoy a superb view of Lac du Forlet below.
Continue on theGR®5to the next trail junction.
Then leave theGR®5on the right for its variant marked with a red-white-red rectangle, then take the yellow triangle trail towards the summit of the Altenkraehkopf.
The lake is below on your right.

(2) After a few hundred metres, leave the Red Triangle trail that descends towards the lake.
Continue to the summit.

(3) Enjoy the beautiful view from the summit of the Altenkraehkopf, then retrace your steps.

(2) Descend steeply to the left towards Lac du Forlet via the red triangle trail.
Reach the farmhouse inn and continue along the lake shore to the start of the dyke on the east bank.

(5) Leave the Triangle Rouge trail and turn right onto the Disque Jaune trail towards Lac Vert, crossing the forest.

(6) When you leave the forest, leave the Erichson Chalet on your right and descend towards the Gaertlesrain farmhouse inn.
Continue to the shore of Lac Vert.

(7) After visiting Lac Vert, leave the yellow disc markings and follow the red disc trail northwards, which climbs up to the small pass of Lac Vert and returns to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,228 m - Small pass of Lac Vert
  2. 1 : km 1.4 - alt. 1,283 m - Gazon du Faing
  3. 2 : km 2.7 - alt. 1,271 m - Trail junction
  4. 3 : km 2.89 - alt. 1,275 m - View - Altenkraehkopf
  5. 4 : km 3.93 - alt. 1,091 m - Ferme-Auberge du Forlet
  6. 5 : km 4.45 - alt. 1,061 m - Dike - Lac des Truites
  7. 6 : km 5.97 - alt. 1,163 m - Chalet Erichson
  8. 7 : km 6.66 - alt. 1,053 m - Lac Vert ou de Soultzeren (Vosges)
  9. S/E : km 8.44 - alt. 1,228 m - Collet du Lac Vert

Notes

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
SECOTINE
SECOTINE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful winter route to do in very good weather (frozen lakes, few people, snow-covered ridge road), but which required 1) changing the starting point (from Lake Forlet) and therefore having a car to get there (icy path) - 2) changing the direction (climbing directly to Gazon du Faing) - 3) being well equipped (crampons and poles essential - icy route).

Machine-translated

User 11856963

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with beautiful views

Machine-translated

User 26687828

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

Beautiful, easy hike

Machine-translated

User 16479413

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, moderately difficult route to do out of season

Machine-translated

Alain MARION
Alain MARION

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

No particular difficulties. Pleasant route. Only downside: the route has been extended due to roadworks near a refuge.

Machine-translated

isaGehay
isaGehay

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Excellent description of the hike, distance and points of interest.

Machine-translated

Claude Guenard
Claude Guenard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike. Beautiful views from the ridge trail. Nice lakes. Only downside: erosion has carved out the trails, which are now littered with rocks and pebbles, making for a bumpy walk. Otherwise, very good, thanks to the author of the route. Claude G.

Machine-translated

ISA2510
ISA2510

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that is well worth doing . Please note, however, that the ground can be slippery on the way down

Machine-translated

chalte
chalte

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk. Remember to book at the farmhouse inn located halfway along the route.

Machine-translated

North
North
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Perfectly described hike, to be done in the direction indicated, very beautiful walk!

Machine-translated

ChrisWild
ChrisWild

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, bucolic route.
I did it in June.
It starts with stubble fields offering beautiful views, then passes through fields of Vosges cows, followed by Lake Forlet, then the forest and Lake Vert.
However, the terrain is quite steep in places and, above all, there are lots of stones
Make sure you wear good shoes and take enough water. Enjoy your hike!

Machine-translated

jules kim
jules kim

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent route to do with good walking shoes.
Be careful, there is little shade at the start before you reach Le Forlet.
Steep descent.
The climb after the green lake starts off steep but isn't long.

Machine-translated

sigma68
sigma68
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

great hike. However, be aware of the distance indicated (8.45 km); with my Garmin GPS watch, following the GPX track provided, we ended up with 9.89 km...
The hike should be done in the direction suggested, as the climb from Lac du Forlet on the GR 5 is long and steep (if you do the hike in reverse).
Another note: if you want to shorten the hike when you get to Chalet Erichson, you can skip the descent to Lac Vert by going past the chalet.

Machine-translated

Nando67
Nando67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route taken on 21/11/2021 starting from the Tanet car park as the Route des Crêtes is closed for the winter.
In this case, you need to add 800 m x 2 to reach the route.
A magnificent hike in beautiful autumn sunshine. A few good climbs but no difficulty.

Machine-translated

laika1963
laika1963

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Circuit with exceptional views. Easy hike with good footwear.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Four Lakes Circuit

Visorando Member
Circuit des Quatre lacs
↔14.38 km ↗+567 m ↘-567 m ◔5h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
A magnificent circuit on the Vosges ridges with views of the Black Forest and, on clear, dry days, the Alps. 400 m of paved road, the rest on trails or wide paths.

Walking Le Tanet and Lac Vert

Visorando Member
Le Tanet et Lac Vert
↔7.32 km ↗+275 m ↘-278 m ◔2h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
This easy loop allows you to discover Tanet, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Vosges, with stunning views and the Haut-Fourneau stone cairns. In late June or early July, you can also enjoy the mountain flowers. The return journey is sheltered by Lac Vert.

Walking Route du Lac Vert from Tanet station

Visorando Member
Circuit du Lac Vert depuis la station du Tanet
↔2.33 km ↗+30 m ↘-33 m ◔0h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
A lovely little family circular path to discover Lac Vert nestled in the heart of the Vosges pine trees.

Walking Lakes and pastures

Visorando Member
Lacs et Gazons
↔10.99 km ↗+433 m ↘-425 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
A beautiful hike that takes you up to the “Gazons”, the famous pastures of the Hautes Vosges, and along the steep slopes overlooking the magnificent cirques where the lakes of Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet lie. All of this is situated at an altitude and in landscapes that are reminiscent of the Alps.

Walking Lac Vert, Lac du Forlet and return via the ridges

Visorando Member
Lac Vert, Lac du Forlet et retour par les crêtes
↔9.33 km ↗+373 m ↘-372 m ◔3h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
A beautiful hike with views of Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet (Lac des Truites) and a lovely stretch along the ridges.

Walking From Tanet to Lac Vert from altitude 1000

Visorando Member
Du Tanet au Lac Vert depuis la cote 1000
↔9.45 km ↗+389 m ↘-396 m ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
This hike allows you to discover varied landscapes, access the ridge and enjoy superb views of the entire Vosges mountains and the Alsace plain. It crosses two nature reserves: the Franckenthal-Missheimle Reserve and the Tanet Gazon du Faing Reserve.The hike also passes by the Rocher de Hirchsteine, the summit of Tanet and Lac Vert. The entire climb is through forest. ⚠️ 21/07/2025: starting point of the hike changed.

Walking Lac du Forlet - Lac Vert

Visorando Member
Lac du Forlet - Lac Vert
↔10.59 km ↗+499 m ↘-496 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
A fairly varied hike starting from Soultzeren, linking Lac du Forlet to Lac Vert. The route consists of pretty, shaded paths running alongside or through a few meadows. After afirst climb of 600 m, which is a little challenging, the rest of the hike is very pleasant and does not present any particular difficulties. Refreshments are available at the Ferme-auberge du Forlet and the Chalet Erichson run by the Club Vosgien (snacks or packed lunches).

Walking From Wettstein to Glasborn

Association / Club / Walk leader
Du Wettstein au Glasborn
↔11.93 km ↗+448 m ↘-451 m ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Soultzeren (Haut-Rhin)
Superb panoramic views over the Munster Valley and the Val d'Orbey. The hike follows the historic route of the Col du Wettstein, the Linge Memorial and the Barrenkopf defence line.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.