Le Drumont and Les Ventron from the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas

Park in the car park at the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas.

(S/E) After admiring the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas, cross the stream then head up to the right onto a path marked with a Blue Ring signposted ‘Route des Cascades’. This small path joins a forest track; take it by turning right, following the Blue Disc and Green Disc markings towards the Col d’Oderen and the Yellow Disc towards Langenbach.

The path to the Langenbach shelter is a trail that climbs up to the left of the forest track. The ascent is shaded (like all the slightly steep sections of this hike) and takes you through a very beautiful forest. Reach the Langenbach shelter and enjoy the view over the Oderen valley.

(1) Follow the forest track marked with a Red Triangle, heading towards Le Drumont. The climb starts off rather unpleasantly on a track full of ruts made by what are clearly enormous tyres. The track then branches off in a zigzag and turns once again into a very beautiful path that winds its way uphill to join the^GR®531, marked with a Blue Rectangle.

(2) On the ridges, a series of small humps along this ridge path leads to the summit of Le Drumont and its characteristic 360° panorama.

(3) Return to the previous junction.

(2) Climb up to the Tête de Fellering then continue downhill to reach the Col d'Oderen.

(4) Begin a short climb to reach the Felsach farmhouse inn.

(5) Continue towards the Haut de Felsach, where you can once again enjoy a stunning view. Descend through a magnificent beech forest, initially typical of the Chaumes region, which gradually transforms into a majestic beech grove, passing just above the Vintergés shelter.

(6) Continue on a short climb to reach the magnificent Rocher de la Tête du Chat Sauvage (unfortunately, there is no explanation at the summit for this intriguing name).

(7) Continue along the^GR®531to reach the Petit Ventron crossroads.

(8) Turn left towards the north and emerge into a clearing.

(9) Follow a circular route to reach Grand Ventron and the Chaume du Grand Ventron farmhouse inn. For the circular route, take the shortcut through the forest.

(10) Then head back to the Petit Ventron crossroads.

(8) Leave the^GR® and turn left onto the path marked with a Yellow Cross towards Kruth. The descent is long (allow about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes) and very steep (700m in one go). Follow the Yellow Cross-marked descent until this path crosses two others marked with a Yellow Disc.

(11) Take the path signposted towards Chaume de Vintergés, which climbs gently until it joins the Frenz circular route marked with a Red Ring.

(12) Be careful here: take this route in the correct direction by crossing a small bridge on your left and continue along the path, now marked with a Red Ring, as it climbs gently. You will reach a small tarmac road.

(13) Turn left onto the route to descend towards the village of Frenz; this section of the route offers a final magnificent view. Arrive in Frenz.

(14) Look for a new path, marked with a Blue Disc, but do not take the first one that descends to the left towards Kruth. Continue uphill for a few metres until you find the sign for Chapelle Saint-Nicolas, marked with a Blue Disc. Stay alert during this first part of the descent along this lovely forest path so as not to miss the fork in the trail that cuts across the bends in the path.

(15) Take it to the left and follow it to the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas car park (S/E).
Note: it is possible to stay on the forest path and then join the tarmac road that leads back to the car park.

All the slightly difficult sections of this hike are shaded. A perfect hike in hot, sunny weather to enjoy the coolness of the forests and the magnificent views that punctuate the entire route.

The shelters at Langenbach and Vintergés provide a sheltered and warm place to eat, or even to set up a bivouac for four people with the right equipment.

The Felsach and Chaume du Grand Ventron inns welcome hungry hikers until 2 pm for lunch.
The Felsach inn also offers accommodation.

The Club Vosgiensigns

On the climb to Felsach from the Col d’Oderen, an informative sign explains the Natura 2000 scheme and the management of the wild forests on the Alsatian side of the Grand Ventron massif. Two signs in particular: one at the point (4) and the other, a welcome sign, halfway up the climb, just before the point (5)

Throughout both the ascents and descents, walkers can admire the famous beech and fir forests, which are light, airy and wild.