Le Molkenrain from Thann

Le Molkenrain from Thann, via Camp de Turenne and the pyramids, with a superb view from the summit.

Details

12510
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.58 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 946 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 948 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,095 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 334 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access:
Thann is located on the main Mulhouse - Col de Bussang road via the RN66.
To reach Thann from Cernay via Rue du Général de Gaulle, turn left onto Rue du 17 Août, then Rue du Martyr, where you will find a large car park.

(S/E) After crossing the railway line, pass in front of the collegiate church and climb up to the ruins of Engelsbourg (419m).

(1) Follow the red rectangle trail markers up to Col de Grumbach (580 m). Continue following the same trail markers and climb up to Camp des Pyramides (782 m). Still following theGR® trail, continue on to Camp Turenne. From there, you can make a 15-minute round trip to Rocher d'Ostein and its magnificent viewpoint.

(2) From the rock, continue to follow the same markings up to Molkenrain (1,094 m). Pass in front of the Friends of Nature chalet (where you can get water) and continue towards the Molkenrian farm (superb view).

(3) Turn around and descend the same path back to Camp de Turenne.

(4) Then turn left onto the path marked with red-white-red rectangles and pass the Rehbrunnel shelter and the Wotan Oak.

(5) Continue along the same red-white-red rectangle trail, which will take you to Thann via Pastetenplatz (801 m) and Waldkapelle (chapel in the woods) (576 m).

(6) From the chapel, continue via Rangenkopf and Croix du Rangen (490m) to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 337 m - Parking on Rue du Martyr.
  2. 1 : km 0.99 - alt. 415 m - Château de l'Engelbourg
  3. 2 : km 6.13 - alt. 903 m - Rocher d'Ostein
  4. 3 : km 7.68 - alt. 1,079 m - Turn around - Refuge du Molkenrain
  5. 4 : km 9.01 - alt. 915 m - Camp de Turenne
  6. 5 : km 11.23 - alt. 758 m - Chêne wotan
  7. 6 : km 13.83 - alt. 577 m - Waldkapelle (woodland chapel)
  8. S/E : km 17.58 - alt. 337 m - Parking on Rue du Martyr.

Notes

There is a fountain at the Friends of Nature chalet.

The chalet has two dining rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, bathrooms and sleeping accommodation for 35 people. There are two individual shower cubicles on the ground floor. Reservations can be made by calling 03 89 37 32 52 or 03 89 75 65 99.

Worth a visit

Places to visit in Thann: Saint-Thiebaut Collegiate Church.
The Rangen vineyard.
The ruins of Engelbourg Castle.
The Vieil Armand.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
denis40
denis40

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I am delighted with this journey, which has been magnificent.

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Suzy250454
Suzy250454

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Even though I only go hiking occasionally, I loved discovering the trails not far from my home in Thann, and I hope to discover even more thanks to you. Thank you.

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isabelle MOUGEL
isabelle MOUGEL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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didier anne
didier anne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A great route for warming up. Beautiful views and, if you go early, you can see several families of chamois. A hike so close to the city but a world away.

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jjsbro
jjsbro

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An affordable route for experienced walkers, mainly through forest, apart from the viewpoint at the Rangen cross overlooking the town of Thann and the valley. The section through Molkenrein is magnificent in good weather and the meal at the farmhouse inn is definitely worth a detour. Allow around 6 hours to complete the circular route.

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lilou.57
lilou.57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hike done with dogs.
A very beautiful hike, ideal in hot weather as it is mainly through the forest.
The route is very well marked, and there are numerous benches and ideal picnic spots along the way.
Magnificent views, the village of Thann and the castle ruins are a must-see.
Bring water with you as, apart from the river in Thann, there are no other drinking water sources along the route and the water at the Friends of Nature chalet is not drinkable.
Fortunately, we always travel with 4 litres of water for our 2 dogs.

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ZIPPER PHILIPPE
ZIPPER PHILIPPE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike, even ideal in very hot weather (shade of the forest)
The route is very well marked (the GPS route is not entirely accurate).
There are other water sources near the route that could be interesting.

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Didouille
Didouille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very good and beautiful route with magnificent, breathtaking views. The welcome at Ferme Auberge du Molkenrain was very friendly and pleasant. The blueberry tart was delicious. For us, it was a moderate route, but I think it would be difficult for a beginner. However, I would highly recommend it for walkers who are used to hiking.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, rockabilly, for your responsiveness.

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rockabilly
rockabilly

Oops, already corrected, really sorry.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

But then rockabilly, what is so disappointing? Tell us everything so we can make improvements.

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rockabilly
rockabilly
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful views and wonderful encounters made this day a wonderful adventure.

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valou70
valou70

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful hike, well shaded in the heat
No water at the Friends of Nature chalet, too dry
Arriving at Molkenrain sooner than expected, we decided to push on to the old Armand (HatmannWillerKopf), very impressive, with its remains from the First World War. From there, we descended to the Zimmermann cross, then climbed back up to the Freundstein, before beginning the descent, passing through Camp Turenne and taking the return route suggested in the itinerary.
We left at 6 a.m. and returned to the car at 2.30 p.m.
A beautiful Sunday hike.

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