The Hohneck from Mittlach via the rocky path

de fr

A very beautiful hike, certainly long, but very pleasant from the village of Mittlach towards Hohneck with a short detour via the rock trail.
You can still see the tourist spots accessible by vehicle that bring you back to civilisation, but you quickly escape them to find the peace and quiet of the mountains.
Please note: this hike is not possible in winter (see practical information below)

Details

n°65077
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 21.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 10h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,309 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,309 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,362 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 524 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Fischboedle Lake

Description of the walk

(S) Depart from the car park in the centre of the village of Mittlach, cross the bridge and turn right, following the red rectangle. You will reach Lake Fischboedle.

(1) Continue to Lake Schiessrothried.

(2) Continue in the direction of the Schiessroth Inn. Keep climbing until you reach the Schaeferthal Pass.

(3) Descend to Frankental and head towards the rock trail. This trail presents some difficulties where you need to be fairly vigilant and have a minimum of equipment.

(4) Petite Fecht stream.

(5) At Col de la Schlucht, take time to quench your thirst ('Bête des Vosges' on the terrace). Take the chairlift to reach the top of the slopes more quickly.

(6) We take the trail again towards the highest point of the day, the Hohneck.

(7) We set off again at a leisurely pace (finally some descents) towards the top of the Kastelberg slopes.

(8) Pass close to the source of the Moselotte on the right.

(9) At the top of the Kastelberg slopes, turn left. We go off-piste for a bit in Tagweidle, heading south-west (the map is actually a very useful tool for finding the trails, as they are not always well marked).

(10) Go around the Kastelbergwassen farmhouse inn and descend towards Mittlach (E) via Koepfle.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 532 m - Car park in the centre of the village of Mittlach
  2. 1 : km 2.98 - alt. 787 m - Lac de Fischboedle
  3. 2 : km 3.83 - alt. 929 m - lac de schiessrothried
  4. 3 : km 6.97 - alt. 1,029 m - Auberge du Frankenthal
  5. 4 : km 7.36 - alt. 1,004 m - Petite Fecht (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Fecht
  6. 5 : km 10.32 - alt. 1,140 m - Col de la Schlucht
  7. 6 : km 13.01 - alt. 1,293 m - Col de Falimont (1295m)
  8. 7 : km 13.87 - alt. 1,362 m - Continue up the Kastelberg slopes - Le Hohneck
  9. 8 : km 14.97 - alt. 1,286 m - Passage near the source of the - Moselotte (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 16.22 - alt. 1,351 m - Turn left at the top of the slopes - Kastelberg
  11. 10 : km 18.52 - alt. 1,163 m - Go around the Kastelbergwassen farmhouse inn
  12. S/E : km 21.79 - alt. 532 m - Car park in the centre of the village of Mittlach

Notes

Please note! The rocky path that starts after point 3 and leads to point 4 to rejoin the Col de la Schlucht is closed from 1 November to 30 April each year (Prefectural decree of 18 May 2022).

There is a drinking water fountain in the car park where you can quench your thirst and refresh yourself.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
GigiCath
GigiCath

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very busy, especially the rocky trail... I even saw some people wearing flip-flops!
I wouldn't recommend going during school holidays!

Machine-translated

Romain 08
Romain 08

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A fantastic route, magnificent forests, just the Hohneck/Col de la Schlucht section is very busy, but the views are still worth it... Who said you couldn't do any climbing in the Vosges?

Machine-translated

AlH
AlH

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, a little challenging on the rocky trail, superb panoramic views. I think
you shouldn't underestimate the distance and elevation gain.

Machine-translated

Forza JUVE
Forza JUVE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, challenging hike. Be careful on some of the descents.
Avoid weekends, as the rocky trail gets very crowded.
In any case, the scenery is magnificent.
I did a little extra. Total 26.5 km, 1,395 m elevation gain. Less than 5.5 hours walking at a good pace with few breaks.

Machine-translated

lucienne.mistler
lucienne.mistler

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The return section from Hohneck to Mittlach is very poorly signposted.

Machine-translated

sylvainchretien
sylvainchretien

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike for experienced hikers. It seems that the kilometre markers are a little underestimated (the hike was 2 km shorter than our GPS after 7 km). We completed the walk in 8 hours and returned via the Altenweiller lake, which was better signposted, bringing the total distance to 28 km. We were pleased to have been able to test our fitness with all the elevation changes.
We will do it again. The return trip on the road is less pleasant, but that doesn't matter.

Machine-translated

Kyxx
Kyxx

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I think this is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Vosges!
I did it with a friend in preparation for the GR 20. We wanted to tackle some elevation, rocks and technical terrain... and we got what we came for!

We completed the hike in 9 hours with backpacks weighing around 10 kilos, setting off at 7 a.m. and arriving at 4 p.m. without taking the chairlifts and with a few breaks (total distance according to GPS: 27 km):

- A 30-minute coffee break at the Auberge du Schiessroth. (Thank you for serving us coffee even though the inn wasn't open yet.)
- A 30-minute beer break at the Col de la Schlucht.
- A good meal at the Auberge des 3 Fours (1.5 hours). (This was our reward for not taking the chairlift, in addition to the satisfaction of having done everything on foot.)

The three difficult points are:
- The climb from Mitlach to Schiessroth. +/- 700m elevation gain in 5 km... With numerous stream crossings...

- The rocky trail in the opposite direction (from Frankenthal towards the Col de la Schlucht).
Most people know it starting from the Col de la Schlucht, but it's a different story from Frankenthal. Your thighs and calves will be burning...

- And the descent from Kastelberg to Mitlach. +/- 800 m elevation gain over 5/6 km. Your feet will suffer...

I think this is going to become one of my annual trips...

Machine-translated

PLUX
PLUX

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A truly beautiful and challenging hike.
The directions are clear, but fortunately it's useful to bring and use your own map.
I wasn't sure whether it was advisable to take the ski lift at the Schulcht Pass to reach the summit. I walked up (allow an hour) and instead of going off-piste to reach the Kastelberg farm, I continued along the GR trail to the blue rectangle on the left just before the refuge. It was a little longer but safer.
The waypoints in the description are a bit far apart, and I think it would be more appropriate to give an estimated time rather than the distance in kilometres.

Machine-translated

Ph.Guilpain
Ph.Guilpain

Most of the route was completed on 3 May 2014 in fog and drizzle. The poles on the Roches trail are a great help for balance and prevent falls on the slippery rocks. On the ridge: snow cornice, winter weather, visibility 30 m. No visible markers. The stakes in place are welcome.

Machine-translated

annabelleblondinette
annabelleblondinette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike done twice (in 2016 and 2018).
The most beautiful hike if you're visiting the Vosges!
The rocky trail is a must for me. Be careful if you're afraid of heights, though, as some parts are quite exposed. There's a rope along part of the trail to make it safer.
Best done in dry weather.
It's a fairly long hike with quite a bit of elevation gain, but it's definitely worth it: magnificent landscapes, chamois and inns along the way!

Machine-translated

champagne.krempff
champagne.krempff
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike despite the rain

Machine-translated

francethomasobernai
francethomasobernai
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, challenging hike.

Please note that at the end of April, part of the route below the Hohneck is still covered in snow, above the precipice.
The Schlucht chairlift is closed, so allow extra time and energy to climb on foot.
The shop at the top of Hohneck closes early before May (4.20 p.m.), so don't count on it for refreshments or shelter from the weather during this two-thirds of the route.

Machine-translated

bibi
bibi ★

Thank you for your feedback. Do you mean that the GPS route is not aligned with the paths?
Kind regards

Machine-translated

fxparis
fxparis

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike. However, be aware that the GPS route for the return journey is quite unreliable, at least when viewed on a smartphone.

Machine-translated

seboon
seboon

Hello, very nice track, it's flawless. However, the GPS that recorded the track placed a point every 5 minutes, so the kilometres are completely wrong. You should start with a good 30 km rather than 21....

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Altenweiher Lake via Kerbholtz

Visorando member
Lac Altenweiher par Kerbholtz
↔12.96 km ↗+836 m ↘-833 m ◔6h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
Ascent to Kerbholz from Mittlach via the Koepfle Trail. Beautiful view of Hohneck from the Kerbholz Refuge. From there, you reach Lake Altenweiher through a beautiful forest. The lake, surrounded by greenery, is ideal for a break. Then descend to Mittlach via Sapin de Kolben and the Kolbenfecht valley.

Walking Five lakes around Kastelberg

Visorando member
Cinq Lacs autour du Kastelberg
↔18.49 km ↗+1,007 m ↘-1,006 m ◔8h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
This hike will take us on a day-long journey to discover some of the most beautiful lakes in the Vosges, four of which are nestled in remarkable glacial cirques.

Walking The Pearl of the Vosges from Mittlach

Visorando member
↔27.19 km ↗+1,313 m ↘-1,311 m ◔11h 30 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
This circular, starting from Mittlach at the bottom of the Munster Valley, is undoubtedly the most alpine in the Vosges. Shortly after Mittlach, the entrance to the Wormsa glacial valley sets the tone and offers unique panoramic views of the Hautes Vosges peaks. The highlight of this route is the majestic Frankenthal cirque, the Martinswand rocks and the daunting climb to the Col du Fallimont.This is a circular for experienced hikers or hikers who are not afraid of suffering, or both. It is long, challenging but absolutely stunning.

Walking From Mittlach to Lake Fischboedle

Visorando member
De Mittlach au Lac de Fischboedle
↔7.56 km ↗+360 m ↘-359 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
A circular walk from Mittlach passing by a beautiful lake in the Southern Vosges mentioned in the Michelin guide: Lac de Fischboedle.

Walking Along the water in Mittlach

Visorando member
Au fil de l'eau à Mittlach
↔16.77 km ↗+923 m ↘-924 m ◔7h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
I have named this hike "along the water" because it never leaves you. First in the form of a stream, then a waterfall, then you find it in the form of lakes, from the smallest to the largest, and finally you end the walk along the river that takes you back to your vehicle. Please note: This hike is for experienced walkers. There are many steep slopes and some sections are dangerous, especially for children. Risk of falls. 06/02/2023: Hiking is prohibited until further notice by municipal decree due to a rock and stone slide on theGR®531.

Walking Pfahlrunz, Schweiselwasen and Herrenberg waterfalls from Mittlach

Visorando member
Cascades Pfahlrunz, Schweiselwasen, Herrenberg depuis Mittlach
↔12.91 km ↗+727 m ↘-727 m ◔5h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
After a steep climb from Mittlach to reach the Herrenberg ridge, you will discover a magnificent panorama of the remarkable peaks of the Vosges: Grand Ballon, Petit Ballon, Hohneck, Rainkopf.

Walking Under the Spitzkoepfe from the Wormsa valley

Visorando member
Sous les Spitzkoepfe depuis la vallée de la Wormsa
↔12.16 km ↗+643 m ↘-643 m ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Metzeral (Haut-Rhin)
Discover the Wormsa Valley, created by a Vosges glacier during the Quaternary period. Climb up to the glacial cirque that is home to Lake Fischboedle. From there, you will quickly reach the second lake, Lake Schiessrothried, at the foot of Hohneck. The slightly more technical return journey will take you under the terminal ridge of the Spitzkoepfe and its granite scree. The final descent will take you to the ruins of the old cable car from the First World War.This route is best enjoyed from April to November.

Walking The Hohneck via the Wormsa Valley

Visorando member
Le Hohneck par la vallée de la Wormsa
↔13.73 km ↗+881 m ↘-879 m ◔6h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Metzeral (Haut-Rhin)
Beautiful forest and mountain trail from Metzeral to the summit of Hohneck along the magnificent Wormsa valley, beside two lakes and through the impressive Combe du Wormspel, then back to the starting point on the other side of the Wormsa.

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.