The Devil’s Cauldron in Lautenbach

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.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 209 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 212 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 608 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 387 m

Description of the walk

The entire route is marked with the Red Triangle.

(S/E) From the car park opposite the Vivarium du Moulin, at the junction of the D430 and D429, turn left towards Markstein. Take the tarmac road branching off to the right towards the water reservoir, which turns into a forest track crossing the Saegefelsen and Erlenbach hills. You will come to a fork.

(1) Turn right. Follow this path to the Chaudron du Diable.

(2) There is a magnificent view over the Florival valley and the Vosges ridges. At the next fork, continue straight on via the Kreutzbach (chapel). Do the same at the following junction to reach a bend at Langruecken.

(3) Follow the path down to the right to Kappellenacker, at the end of the track.

(4) Then head back up the Rue Principale to the right. Continue straight on until you reach the stream. Cross it and walk past the town hall and right next to the collegiate church, a listed historic monument renowned for its harmonious porch.

(5) Keep to the right at the collegiate church on Rue Principale and walk past the ‘Linden Trees of Lautenbach’ from Jean Egen’s novel. Continue to the end of the road. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 410 m - Vivarium - La Lauch
  2. 1 : km 1.47 - alt. 575 m - Fourche
  3. 2 : km 2.49 - alt. 600 m - Le Chaudron du Diable
  4. 3 : km 3.95 - alt. 473 m - Langruecken
  5. 4 : km 4.8 - alt. 389 m - Kapellenacker
  6. 5 : km 5.51 - alt. 395 m - Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Lautenbach)
  7. S/E : km 6.19 - alt. 410 m - Vivarium - La Lauch

Notes

You may come across other Red Ring, Blue Ring and Green Ring marked trails on your route; they all lead to the centre of Lautenbach

Worth a visit

- Lautenbach (S/E).
- Devil’s Cauldron (2).
- Saint John the Baptist Church/St Michael’s Collegiate Church (5).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
chamane7
chamane7

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A peaceful walk, where I didn’t come across a single soul; it was lovely because it was shaded and the little stream was just the ticket for my four-legged companion🤗
The route is very well signposted, with some magnificent views over the valley.
For me, as I walk with a cane, access to the Devil’s Cauldron (a little way down) wasn’t possible, but the view was magnificent nonetheless!
The return route through the village is a bit long and very exposed, which is worth bearing in mind when it’s very hot.
It was a lovely walk with a reasonable elevation gain for me; it’s a gentle climb and a gentle descent too.
Thank you for posting it online.

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Spachby
Spachby

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk with no particular difficulties.

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A gentle start after a break from hiking. A few lovely views. We finish by taking the road through the village of Lautenbach.

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Bruno1953
Bruno1953

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, unpretentious little walk

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danlutterrando
danlutterrando

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk in autumn. Beautiful views of the valley and the mountains. However, the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’ isn’t on the route. You have to take a detour, which involves a steeper climb.

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