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Coming from Kruth via the RD13b, park in the shade after the leisure park. If necessary, there is a large car park behind the hotel-restaurant (Hof on the IGN map).
(S/E) Head towards the hotel-restaurant and follow the road to the right for 200 m. This road is closed to motor traffic.
(1) Take the Schlossberg path on the left, which runs behind Parc Arbre Aventure. The path veers slightly to the left to reach the castle’s entrance tunnel. There are numerous information boards along the path.
(2) The descent, which is quite steep, begins with a metal staircase leading down to the road below.
Opposite, head to a viewing point which offers a good view of the dam, though the lake is partially obscured by trees. Return to the road.
(3) Head towards the dam and cross it. The dam is fenced off due to engineering works, but pedestrian access is permitted. Turn right after the dam and continue for 150 m.
(4) Turn sharply left onto the Chemin du Bourbach and follow it for 100 m.
(5) Take the path on the right, marked with a Red Triangle, to the Abri du Tal. This lovely, well-marked path climbs steadily, crosses a footbridge dedicated to Paul de Neff, former president of the Club Vosgien, and reaches the Abri du Tal. There is a table and benches, as well as a wood-burning stove.
(6) Take the path to the right of the shelter and head down to a crossroads.
(7) Take the path on the left signposted ‘Chemin du Hasenloch’ and continue to the bridge over the Bockloc. The waterfall is situated below and will be visible on the way back.
(8) Continue along the path (Blue Cross) to the next junction. (Note that it is possible to take a path immediately to the right after the bench to shorten the route and reach the waterfall, but the descent is steep.)
(9) Just past the sign for “Réserve Naturelle Massif du Grand Ventron”, take a path marked with a Blue Triangle. Cross a very narrow metal footbridge and head down to Wildenstein. Make your way to the Town Hall square.
(10) Head right-hand side, go round to the right behind the cemetery and continue along a path at the foot of a scree slope. Starting through the fields, the path enters the forest again and runs alongside the River Thur as far as a football pitch. Turn left after the pitch and you’ll soon reach a small path branching off to the right.
(11) Follow this path, which passes behind the pumping station, to quickly reach a dyke at the head of the lake.
(A shorter return route is possible by joining the county road opposite and turning right onto the cycle path that runs alongside it. This option is less pleasant, simply because of the heavy traffic on the road.)
(12) On your right, you’ll see the Bockloch Waterfall, which you can go and see up close.
Continue along a well-maintained path beside the lake until you reach a junction you passed on the way out.
(4) Carry on straight ahead and cross the embankment. Turn left and follow the road alongside the lake all the way to the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
Tourist office
Difficult 
