The Hirschteine trail

This route offers some of the most beautiful and spectacular views of the Munster Valley, all in the heart of the Frankenthal-Missheimle Nature Reserve.
Several difficult passages along the cliffside.
Not suitable for those who are afraid of heights.

Details

49957210
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 296 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 288 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,260 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,106 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available at one of the car parks at Col de la Schlucht.

(S/E) Start opposite the Schlucht visitor centre. Cross the road and follow the Blue Rectangle marked path, which climbs steeply towards the Spitzenfels under the cover of trees.

(1) At the crossroads, turn right towards the Spitzenfels viewpoint, taking the downhill path marked with a Red Rectangle crossed out in a White Rectangle.

(2) After admiring the view at Spitzenfels, follow the Blue Rectangle marked trail and further on at the crossroads, turn right onto the Yellow Triangle and Red Rectangle crossed with a White Rectangle.

(3) Further down, at the crossroads, continue left following the signs for Hirschteine/Baerenbach. Very quickly, the path along the cliff side becomes very steep and vertiginous. Before reaching the Hirschteine viewpoint, the path takes a large metal staircase.

(4) After enjoying the panoramic view, take the path marked with a Yellow Triangle, following the sign for "Crête, Haut de Baerenbach". After a zigzag climb, the path leads to Haut de Baerenbach, at an altitude of 1,227 metres.

(5) Turn left to follow the Red Rectangle trail and return to the junction you passed on the way up.

(1) Continue straight downhill towards the pass and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,139 m - Schlucht car park - Col de la Schlucht
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 1,242 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 0.89 - alt. 1,200 m - Spitzenfels viewpoint
  4. 3 : km 1.52 - alt. 1,129 m - Crossroads towards the Hirschteine
  5. 4 : km 2.38 - alt. 1,142 m - Belvédère de Hirschteine
  6. 5 : km 3.23 - alt. 1,230 m - The ridges - Haut de Baerenbach
  7. S/E : km 4.78 - alt. 1,139 m - Schlucht car park - Col de la Schlucht

Notes

Col de la Schlucht car park.

Numerous options for food and refreshments at the Col de la Schlucht.

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

Worth a visit

Three exceptional viewpoints:

  • Spitzenfels viewpoint: view of the Schlucht cirque with its cliffs.
  • Hirschteine viewpoint: view of the Petite Vallée de Munster.
  • At the top of the great ridge: view of the Munster valley towards Colmar. In good weather, you can admire the Black Forest and even the Swiss Alps!

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 10132717

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a fairly easy hike, although there are some narrow sections along the ridge. However, there are good safety features in place (steps and handrails), but you should still be careful. I recommend it

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el_padre_67
el_padre_67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with a varied scenery and some very fine viewpoints.

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camelita
camelita

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. A little technical but nothing insurmountable for those accustomed to the rugged terrain of the Vosges. Completed in 1.5 hours. An ideal route to complement another hike, ending the day on a high note! Well done to the Vosges club for the safety measures. Magnificent views.

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Edouard Rivas
Edouard Rivas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty hike through the woods. The trail is easy to follow (but I missed the first view, no big deal, you can also see it from the ridge at the end). The most challenging part of the trail is well marked, with a handrail along the entire length to keep you safe. This part adds interest to the hike, and I didn't find it particularly vertiginous, as the view of the trees mitigates the impressive aspect.

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stinger
stinger

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done on 24 May 2024
Very beautiful tour, but we had a problem with the map
It was raining heavily, so we had difficulty with the phone navigation and the network, even though we had downloaded the map beforehand
An error led us to the edge of a cliff, but we continued anyway as it was the right way
The cliff was relatively difficult to cross, especially in rainy weather
Fortunately, there were ramps to help us, but my wife, who has a bad knee, had a lot of trouble shortly afterwards
at the end of this section there was a sign, but it was facing the wrong way, saying that this section was not recommended for inexperienced drivers
I should point out that we are 68 and 69 years old.
Despite everything, we are proud to have made it
We were unable to enjoy certain views due to the fog

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