The Lakes of Neuweiher and Gresson

de fr

In the Doller valley, this walk will let you discover the lakes of Neuweiher and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Vosges. It's an easy walk and accessible to anyone.

Details

n°1993
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 410 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 411 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 946 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 535 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Clouds
The Blue Cross Trail
Super size for this mushroom
Le Gresson

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park to your left, just after the entrance to the Rimbach. You'll no doubt be surprised by the number of cars when the weather is good.

Follow the small road that continues for a short kilometre. (1) It then turns into a stony path marked with yellow crosses, alongside a river and through forest. If you're worried about your ankles, take the path on your right just before the end of the road. It is marked by blue circles.

Continue on either of the paths until the Lac du Petit Neuweiher (2) which adjoins the Grand Neuweiher (3). This was emptied completed a few years ago (2007) in order to rebuild the embankment that retains the water. Geologists were worried that a fault passing underneath would break, causing a serious flood in the Doller valley. Following these works, the lac has lost a few metres in height.

Then reach the Auberge de Neuweiher (hostel) (4) and turn left on the GR531 marked by blue rectangles. You then climb a little and join the Chaume du Gresson and the Ferme-Auberge du Gresson Moyen at an altitude of 937m (5)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 536 m - Car park after entering Rimbach
  2. 1 : km 0.91 - alt. 565 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 2.86 - alt. 806 m - Lac du Petit Neuweiher
  4. 3 : km 3.08 - alt. 818 m - Lac du Grand Neuweiher
  5. 4 : km 3.25 - alt. 830 m - Auberge du Neuweiher - Refuge du Neuweiher
  6. 5 : km 4.41 - alt. 938 m - Ferme-Auberge du Gresson
  7. S/E : km 8.05 - alt. 535 m - Car park after entering Rimbach

Notes

Take walking shoes (trainers should be avoided).
Consider taking plenty of water.
You can stop for refreshments or to spend the night in the Auberge de Neuweiher hostel and the Ferme-Auberge du Gresson Moyen. However, consider booking it as it is often very busy.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 98 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
jeanmenesylvie
jeanmenesylvie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

lovely walk with the inn halfway along the route, brilliant...

Machine-translated

Fabrice Behra
Fabrice Behra

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk.

Machine-translated

User 16668062
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, great welcome at the Neuweiher refuge and excellent meal.

Machine-translated

ottrott
ottrott

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike made with small children 10. 8 years who enjoyed. Would recommend.

Machine-translated

bonpied bonoeil
bonpied bonoeil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb up the stone path was not so easy, as the path had turned into a muddy stream.
But what a pleasure it was to arrive at the Neuweiler for a picnic in the sunshine.
A leisurely return punctuated by numerous stops to listen out for birdsong.

Machine-translated

Patweb
Patweb
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb up to Neuweier is a bit tricky, with paths and tracks that are very stony and extremely muddy (it was 8 November 2024) due to run-off water. Good hiking boots are recommended. Otherwise, the route is quite pleasant.

Machine-translated

carole lazarus
carole lazarus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent tour with a wide variety of landscapes. To be repeated

Machine-translated

Thierry Fouquet
Thierry Fouquet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy and enjoyable hike that can be done in a group or with children. Lac du Neuweiher is a superb spot for a picnic. The Auberge du Neuweiher has lost some of its splendour with the new management, as the concept has changed, but for a quick snack it's fine, and the welcome has remained friendly and pleasant.
When you arrive at Le Gresson, a fine table awaits you! They take great care of their guests, so it's best to book in advance!
We go back every year at least once! The way back via the Lac des Perches is nice too!
The route wasn't very busy, given the uncertain weather and the rain on Sunday. The route is fairly easy to follow.

Machine-translated

MCVR13
MCVR13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice route with a picnic break on the banks of the great Neuweiher .
We followed the blue disc signposting, which was very pleasant.
Thanks for sharing

Machine-translated

les bubus
les bubus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike with the highlight being the meal at the Auberge du Gresson, of course you MUST RESERVE as many hikers want to eat there (great meal and magnificent view from the terrace (the weather was superb).
START from Rimbach, climb up the stony path, always in the shade, and arrive at the NEUWEIHER lake ,,,,, (great place for a picnic). From there, it's just a short climb up to the inn. The way back is pleasant.

Machine-translated

Phi!ippe
Phi!ippe
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant half-day hike (with breaks and a moderate pace).
Most of the ascent (1 to 5) is in the shade, which is nice.
Between 1 and 2, we took the 'stone path' option, which requires constant vigilance to avoid damaging an ankle.
As we didn't try the other option (yellow trestle), it's impossible to give an opinion on the best choice.

Machine-translated

Levo
Levo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike starting from Rimbach
1h30 2 h, we reach the FA du Gresson where we eat very well (reservation necessary)
Gentle descent to Rimbach
Beautiful views

Machine-translated

Michel F068
Michel F068

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk and a bit of fresh air is always good. A nice little waterfall on the way up to the lakes.
Very warm welcome at the inns.

Machine-translated

Elisa68700
Elisa68700

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On weekdays there are fewer people than on Sundays.
Magnificent hike
Did it again today, continuing over the Col des Perches and Hautes Bers.

Machine-translated

Maryline C.
Maryline C.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice route, with a picnic stop at the lake.
Changing landscapes

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Neuweiher and Perches lakes via the Tête des Charbonniers

Visorando Member
↔16.22 km ↗+740 m ↘-730 m ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
This is a very rich hike in terms of the diversity of its route, relief and views, types of paths, undergrowth and stubble biotopes, and beech forests. Not to mention the magical Lac des Perches seen from below... Moderator's note: the Blue Disc marked trail between (1) and its junction with the Yellow Chevalet (Steinweg) trail is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Chevalet trail. Route modified on 26/06/2023 at point (4) to pass through theGR® 5 and join (6) due to dangerous forest decline for hikers and to preserve biodiversity.

Walking Circuit of the Perches, Grand and Petit Neuweiher lakes

Visorando Member
Circuit des lacs des Perches, du Grand et du Petit Neuweiher
↔11.75 km ↗+628 m ↘-627 m ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
This short hike offers breathtaking views of the Col des Perches and the lake of the same name, Sternsee. A bench and a small table above the scree overlooking the lake are ideal for a snack break while admiring the landscape. At the Grand Neuweiher lake, stop at the refuge inn to quench your thirst before heading back to Rimbach. Moderator's note: the Blue Disc trail between (6) and Ermensbach is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Horse trail (Steinweg).

Walking The Rossberg and the Thanner Hubel

Visorando Member
Le Rossberg et le Thanner Hubel
↔18.81 km ↗+827 m ↘-827 m ◔7h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
A hike that will allow you to discover a beautiful Vosges peak, the Rossberg, which offers a magnificent view of the entire massif, from the Ballon d’Alsace to the Grand Ballon and the Honneck, and, on a clear day, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. A place that remains free from cars and crowds as no road leads there!

Walking The Wegscheid Volcano Forest

Visorando Member
La Forêt des Volcans de Wegscheid
↔16.30 km ↗+749 m ↘-746 m ◔6h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
The Wegscheid Forest(1), a regional nature reserve, features a landscape inherited from its volcanic past. Beech, fir, oak and maple trees grow in tiers or mingle among the scree on a steep, rugged slope dotted with volcanic rocks and overlooked by the Vogelstein Rocks. After winding paths to discover these curiosities, the hike leads into wide open spaces in the light of the Rossberg and Belacker hilltops with exceptional panoramic views.

Walking Lacs des Perches and Neuweiher via Haute Beers and Gresson in Rimbach

Visorando Member
↔15.83 km ↗+757 m ↘-756 m ◔6h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
A pleasant, undulating hike between the lakes of the Vosges, offering magnificent views, high-altitude thatched roofs and open, varied landscapes. Starting from Rimbach near Masevaux, head towards Basse Bers, then Lac des Perches, climb up to the pass of the same name, followed by the GR®5 trail overlooking the lake, towards Haute Beers (shelter). Gentle descent via the Seppiweg to the Neuweiher lakes, then climb towards Gresson (farmhouse inn). Descent to Ermensbach via the magnificent log cabin shelter of Lagerwald Hutte, then along the hillside to the church in Rimbach.

Walking The Rimbach Pass and Lake Perches

Visorando Member
Le Col de Rimbach et le Lac des Perches
↔13.31 km ↗+649 m ↘-646 m ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
This hike takes us to one of the highest lakes in the Vosges, Lac des Perches. Access via the Col de Rimbach makes it a fairly strenuous hike as the climb is steep. But the view over the valleys is magnificent and, in my opinion, the lake is one of the most beautiful in the massif. As it is only accessible on foot, it is also well preserved.

Walking Around the lakes from Rimbach near Masevaux

Visorando Member
Autour des lacs depuis Rimbach près Masevaux
↔14.70 km ↗+653 m ↘-652 m ◔6h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
Hike alternating between forests and alpine meadows with magnificent views and passing through wonderful sites such as Lac des Perches and Lac Neuweiher or the Haute-Bers stubble fields.Please note that there are some tricky sections for those who are prone to vertigo and fear of heights on the GR®5 section overlooking Lac des Perches.

Walking On the heights of the Doller and Thur valleys

Visorando Member
Sur les hauteurs des vallées de la Doller et de la Thur
↔22.45 km ↗+1,112 m ↘-1,107 m ◔9h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rimbach-près-Masevaux (Haut-Rhin)
Panoramic or bird's-eye views of the southern Vosges mountains and valleys. Relief, forest, stubble fields, ridges, wild valleys, paths winding through the woods... Exercise and enjoyment guaranteed! Special feature: the beautiful, wild valley at the end of the route, between Belacker and Rimbach!

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.