Lautenbachzell walks

This walk, suitable for most people, presents no particular difficulties. It will allow you to discover the heritage of the village of Lautenbach and enjoy a beautiful view of the Florival Valley and the Vosges ridges.

This multi-day hike allows you to explore, over the course of two days, some of the most interesting routes in the Guebwiller region and the Markstein and Grand Ballon massifs. This hike is long and relatively challenging (over 41 km and a cumulative elevation gain of nearly 1,500 m). It is therefore suitable for regular walkers in good physical condition. Along the route, you’ll discover various farm inns, Lake Ballon, the Grand Ballon, the Markstein resort, the Petit Ballon and the ridges, and the village of Linthal.

A very physically demanding first day with a wide variety of landscapes. Starting from Linthal, the most mountainous village in the Guebwiller region, the first day of this multi-day hike will take you to the Auberge du Steinlebach, via the Grand Ballon – the highest peak in the Vosges mountains, rising to an altitude of 1,424 metres – and the Markstein resort. The ascent is quite challenging and requires a good level of fitness. Along the way, you’ll pass the Gustiberg farmhouse inn, Lake Ballon and the Haag farmhouse inn…

The Petit Ballon is a must-see summit in Alsace. Rising to an altitude of 1,272 metres, it offers a splendid view of the Vosges mountains. There are various ways to reach it. This circular hike takes you to the Petit Ballon from the village of Linthal. The climb starts in the forest, then becomes more open from halfway up to the final viewpoint at the summit. For those who would like to do the hike in the opposite direction, it is more difficult.

A very varied route to reach the highest point of the Vosges and walk along the ridges, enjoying numerous panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. The Petit Ballon massif also offers a very beautiful setting.

A challenging climb to the Grand Ballon from Sengern (past Guebwiller). The route passes by the beautiful Lac du Ballon and the Gustiberg farmhouse inn, both of which offer very pleasant places to stop for a break.

This hike, suitable for those with some hiking experience and/or good physical fitness, will allow you to discover the Murbach valley and its famous abbey, which exerted political, spiritual and cultural influence over a vast territory for over a thousand years. Along the way, you can enjoy several views of the abbey and the Murbach valley, as well as tables and benches where you can rest or have a picnic.

The hike starts in Murbach and allows you to discover several attractions in the valley: Murbach Abbey, the Notre Dame de Lorette Chapel and the ruins of an ancient castle, the Hohrupf.

This hike will allow you to discover the Murbach valley and the ruins of Hohrupf Castle.

A beautiful hike around the Murbach Valley with elevation gain and length suitable for experienced walkers. Mainly in the forest, it offers two beautiful viewpoints at the ruins of Hohrupf Castle and at the end of the walk at Ebeneck.

Starting from a chapel in the village of Linthal, you’ll climb through the forest overlooking the village, passing through pretty, flower-filled clearings and enjoying lovely views of the village below.

A pleasant circular route for tackling the Petit Ballon from the south through forests and pastures. The gradient is fairly steady and the paths are well signposted. The climb is quite shaded, which is a welcome feature.

This walk takes us to the Kletterbach waterfalls, the Gustiberg farm and the magnificent Lac du Ballon in its picturesque setting.

Above Lautenbachzell, this day hike will take you through several different landscapes of the Vosges: orchards and villages in the valley, pine forests, beech woods and stumps. You will reach the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges, after walking along the Lac du Grand Ballon and passing near waterfalls.

An original route to get to Lac du Grand Ballon avoiding the road. You will discover beautiful trees, a waterfall and views over the Petit Ballon and the Black Forest along the way.

A circular walk leading to the Ebeneck hilltops, offering superb views of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and, weather permitting, the Alps on a clear day.

A walk exploring the fortified castles around Guebwiller

Why not set off to explore the Grand Ballon d’Alsace on a lovely circular walk? We suggest a loop with a gentle, shaded ascent that’s pleasant on hot days. Only the sections before the Grand Ballon are exposed to the sun; the rest of the way, there’ll always be a tree to shelter you from the heat.

This walk, mainly through woodland, follows the River Lauch before climbing through the Belchenseebach Gorge, past a succession of magnificent waterfalls, to reach the romantic Lac du Ballon.The path is sometimes steep and some sections are slippery, but they are safe and the view is well worth the effort. A relaxing return journey with the option of stopping for a bite to eat at a farmhouse inn.

A beautiful hike in the Vosges, alternating between forest and stubble fields. Stunning views from the Grand Ballon.

This route offers a comprehensive tour of the three beautiful sandstone quarries above Guebwiller, which were in operation until the early 20th century. Starting north of Buhl, the route crosses and explores the major sandstone quarries of this massif, those of Buhl, as well as Guebwiller and Bergholtz. This route will take you beneath and above the quarries, passing through the Col du Dreibannstein, which features a Club Vosgien shelter and tables. After skirting the quarry walls, the route offers views of Guebwiller, its Grand Ballon and the Florival valley. The quarries and the very pleasant trails are a delight for the region’s rock climbers. But they also appeal to hikers, with views of the valley, the Vosges, the plain, the sandstone cliffs, and more...

Starting from Buhl, this route takes you up to the Col de Bannstein via the village of Schweighouse, before entering the Schimberg Forest, which you’ll cross until you reach the vineyards near Bergholtz. You’ll then head back up the valley through the vineyards to the east of Guebwiller.

This hike could also be called 'Les Balcons de Buhl' (the Buhl balconies). It crosses the Buhlois vineyard, offering magnificent views of the Florival and the Grand Ballon. An additional point of interest is that the circuit crosses old abandoned red sandstone quarries in the Vosges.

This short circular route (1 hour 10 minutes recorded on the stopwatch), starting from Buhl, will allow you to get some fresh air in the wooded areas at the foot of the Demberg and enjoy a lovely view of your starting village from the west.

An easy walk (except for a slightly steep initial climb) that passes through the beautiful and wild pink sandstone quarries of Buhl. The pretty quarry trail continues to the famous Menhirs de l'Appenthal and its cyclopean wall. The walk ends along the vineyards, offering a beautiful view of Hugstein Castle and passing by the strange birthing chair, which is said to have been used in ancient times for childbirth.

This walk takes you to Hugstein Castle. It is mainly through woodland and offers the chance to spot wildlife or, at the very least, the many tracks they leave behind.

Starting from the Hilsen farmhouse inn, this walk follows a ridge leading to the Petit Ballon. There are numerous viewpoints overlooking the Vosges, the Alsace plain and beyond.

This is a very pleasant hike that also offers views of the Alsace plain. The different environments you will pass through will delight walkers who take the time to look around.

Departure from the Col de Boenlesgrab, passing by the Refuge de la Schellimat, near Hilzen, via Bockswasen, then by the Refuge des Amis de la Nature below the summit of the Petit Ballon, then continuing after the summit along the ridges via the Col du Petit Ballon, Steinberg and its megaliths, then Grothkopf.Return via the farmsteads of Kahlenwassen (near the Virage Pinot) and Buchwald, the former intermediate station of the German cable car, then via the Strohberg farmstead before descending via Brudermatt to the Col du Boenlesgrab. This hike takes you across magnificent high-altitude stubble fields and offers numerous 360° views of the Vosges peaks and nearby Alsatian valleys.

This hike takes you around the thatched roofs of the Petit Ballon, allowing you to enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and the thatched roofs that are so characteristic of these Vosges peaks.

A short forest hike that goes around the Rundkopf and passes over its summit. The undergrowth is truly magnificent, especially in autumn, when the fallen leaves offer some beautiful views.

This walk or snowshoe hike offers superb views all around the Petit Ballon. Alternating between wide tracks and narrower paths, the route passes through both wooded areas and perfectly open ridges. Numerous farm inns (some of which are closed in winter) and mountain huts line the route.

A pleasant circular on the heights of Rimbach-près-Guebwiller in beautiful forests, passing through Münsteraeckerle and Judenhut. Halfway through, why not stop off at the very friendly and cosy Ferme Auberge du Glasshütte?

Two circular routes around Buhl: varied route offering beautiful views and sights. Several variations or shortcuts are possible.

This hike starts in Glashütte and passes through remarkable beech forests. From the Gerstacker meadows, it offers superb views of the Thann valley and the Rosberg massif. Once you reach Roedelen, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Petit Ballon massif before returning via the pleasant Judenhut Pass trail.

Tour and climb to the Grand Ballon from the Glashutte farmhouse inn. This hike offers beautiful views from the highest peak in the Vosges mountains, over the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and, depending on weather conditions, perhaps even the Alps.

A lovely little forest walk offering several picnic spots with wooden benches and tables. Along the route, you’ll also come across a multitude of streams and a fountain at the Col du Judenhut. After a climb of about 1 km that will warm up your legs, you can enjoy the rest of the walk, which will seem relatively easy.

There are numerous lakes and passes in the Vosges. Among them are Lac du Ballon and the Col du Haag. It is possible to walk from Lac du Ballon to the Haag. Of course, those who wish to do so can continue the hike to the summit of the Grand Ballon, which is a further 30 minutes’ walk away. From the pass, the view opens out over the Thann valley and the Thanner Hubel. It is a short hike that can easily be completed in 1½ hours there and back.

This route leads to the Col du Grand Ballon, starting from the Glashutte. It crosses forests, including beautiful beech woods, and stubble fields where the view can be very beautiful. Please note that crampons and snowshoes are required in winter.

A hike entirely through the forest, suitable even in hot weather. On the way to the Col de Judenhut, we choose to take the stony path only for part of the way, preferring the wide track leading to the pass. There, a lovely shaded picnic area awaits us, along with a shelter and a fountain. The path towards Firstacker runs along the hillside, with very little elevation gain, and crosses numerous streams. For the return journey to the Glashütte, we’ll follow the wide track downhill.

A relatively easy walk starting from the Grand Ballon car park, offering a chance to take in the two highest peaks of the Vosges and their magnificent scenery.

This circuit will take you to the highest peak in the Vosges, offering views of the Alps in good weather. You can admire the surrounding Vosges peaks and high-altitude villages such as Geishouse and Goldbach-Altenbach. At the start and finish points, you will find various places to eat and a shop selling local products. During the walk, don't hesitate to stop at the Haag farmhouse inn to enjoy their local cuisine or to quench your thirst.

This family walk takes you around the highest peak in the Vosges Mountains (1,424 metres). While enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, the Jura and the Bernese Alps, you will discover the rich flora and history of the Grand Ballon.

A short, easy route starting from the Grand Ballon car park, offering a chance to take in the scenery from the highest point in the Vosges.

This circular route, which runs mainly through woodland, will take you to explore the ruins of the former Schwartzenthann convent, before climbing a little higher into the woods.

An easy route, gently undulating across the highest peaks of the Vosges, through stubble fields and forests. Magnificent views over the surrounding valleys.

Moderately difficult hike on the heights of Petit Ballon.

The aim of this hike is to reach the Petit Ballon with as little climbing as possible. Due to its position, away from the other peaks of the Vosges, the view stretches far into the distance.

A hike offering magnificent views over the Munster Valley, the Alsace Plain, the Black Forest and, on a clear day, the Jura and the Alps!

This walk visits Guebwiller woodlands. While walking, enjoy different very nice spots ideals to take pictures and learn about various vegetal species (indicated by numbers). This walk is very nice to keep fresh in summer times. However, be careful when raining, it can be quite slippery!

This hike will take you up to the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges mountains, rising to 1,424 metres. From the summit, weather permitting, you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view across the whole of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and even as far as the Alps. Along the way, you’ll pass through a variety of landscapes, from coniferous and deciduous forests to clearings and pastures. As you gain altitude, you’ll notice how the flora of the Vosges changes.

Starting from the centre of Wintzfelden, this circular walk will take you to the Soultzmatt Community Forest along quiet, open paths, amidst meadows full of flowers on fine days.

A lovely walk with no particular difficulties, allowing you to discover the ruins of the former Schwartzenthann convent, pass through the village of Wintzfelden, and walk through the meadows between Wintzfelden and Osenbach... Throughout the walk, you’ll pass meadows where sheep and horses graze. An ideal walk in spring and autumn to enjoy the mid-season sunshine.

The route begins in alpine pastureland, then passes through very shady forests.

This is an ideal short walk in hot weather, starting from the Col du Haag and passing successively by Lac du Ballon, the Roedelen farm and the Grand Ballon. As the circuit is located on the northern slope of the Grand Ballon at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, there is no need to worry about excessive heat.

Hike undertaken in July on the Alsatian side. Discover the flora and fauna on the pastures of the Vosges.

An easy walk full of discoveries that passes through the beautiful Grossberg clearing (look for its totem tree!). Nearby is the Heidenbuckel menhir, which was once used as a ceremonial site. Further on, we arrive at Dietrichstein, which was probably a place of sacrifice in the 8th century BC.

A short and easy hike that will allow you to discover the imposing granite ‘megaliths’ of the Steinberg, with views stretching far into the distance. Ideal after a meal at one of the farmhouse inns near the Petit Ballon.

Panoramic walk amid sculptural rock formations, witnesses to the ancient past of the Vosges mountains. This site is also famous for being a high-energy place in Alsace!

Tour of the Grand Ballon with forest sections ideal in summer, and stunning views of the Thann valley at the start and the Guebwiller valley, the Alsace plain and the Black Forest towards the end. Food available at the Haag farmhouse inn (booking recommended).