Altenweiher Lake

Set off to explore the beautiful Altenweiher Lake, above Mittlach, surrounded by the peaks of the Kastelberg and the Rainkopf.
The monks of Munster Abbey used this lake for fish farming until the 19th century. Its name means "old pond". Legend has it that a golden carriage is said to be sunk there!

Details

26749902
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 280 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 280 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 967 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 687 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking available at the Kolben car park at the bottom of the Mittlach valley.

(S/E) From the car park, turn left onto the tarmac path marked with a Yellow Disc, which runs alongside the Kolben chapel and leads to the junction.

(1) Turn right and stay on the tarmac path, which becomes a simple forest track (still marked with a Yellow Disc). This path winds around numerous bends. Stay on the same route marked “Leibelthal, Rothenbach, Steinwasen”. Pass three bends, and after a wide left-hand bend, look out for a path starting on the right.

(2) Take this small path which climbs towards Altenweiher Lake and winds its way through the moraines. Further on, at a crossroads, turn right and head downhill, still towards the lake (Yellow Saltire). Further down, you can walk around the lake via a small path on the left and return to the level of the dam.

(3) Continue slightly to the right on the small path marked with a Yellow Cross, which descends and runs alongside the Altenweiherbach stream. At the very bottom, take the forest track to the right and return to the Kolben car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 687 m - Kolben car park - Sapin de Kolben
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 768 m - Yellow Disc junction
  3. 2 : km 2.64 - alt. 910 m - Path to Altenweiher Lake
  4. 3 : km 4.53 - alt. 926 m - Chemin Yellow Cross - Altenweiher
  5. S/E : km 6.07 - alt. 687 m - Kolben car park - Sapin de Kolben

Notes

Worth a visit

Places to visit:

  • Altenweiher Lake
  • The Kolben, with its remarkable fir tree and chapel.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Rod81
Rod81

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with clear directions and easy to follow.

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User 23681688
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful walk. Download the route before you arrive at the car park, as there’s little mobile coverage once you’re there.

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netti s
netti s

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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Pat6368
Pat6368
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On part of the route, we came across some trail runners...
There is no mobile data coverage on part of the route.
It’s worth noting that the descent from the lake is particularly picturesque.
We started our hike from a car park further down (about 1 km away) near the bridge over the "Kolbenfecht".

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Sam68380
Sam68380

Hello Christelhol,

I think you must have got the wrong walk, as the one you’ve commented on isn’t very difficult, doesn’t go up to Kastelberg Farm and doesn’t have many rocks.

All the best...

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