The Schnepfenried tour

de fr

Take a tour of this peak, which rises to 1,258 metres, and enjoy remarkable views of the Hohneck massif, the ridge, the Spitzkoepfe and the Petit Ballon.

Details

n°27253194
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 133 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 131 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,187 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,081 m
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Photos

Schnepfenried
Landscapes on the ridges and the Hohneck massif
Landscapes on the ridges and the Hohneck massif
Landscape around Schnepfenried

Description of the walk

You can park your vehicle in the car park near Le Panoramic restaurant and the tree-top adventure park.

(S/E) Facing the summit of Schnepfenried, turn right and follow the red signposts. Cross the ski slopes and you will come to a fork at the edge of the woods. There are magnificent views of the Hohneck massif.

(1) Turn left and continue to follow the red signposts along a pleasant forest path.

(2) Shortly after the Widenbach refuge, take the small unmarked path that climbs up to the left into the forest. which starts from the car park.

(3) At the Col du Platzerwasel, follow the blue disc markings to the left towards Schnepfenried. The path, which starts from the car park, passes through beautiful forests and eventually runs alongside the reservoir, used for artificial snow in winter, and leads to the Schnepf station. Return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,082 m - Car park near Le Panoramic restaurant
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 1,120 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 2.48 - alt. 1,140 m - Widenbach refuge
  4. 3 : km 2.83 - alt. 1,184 m - Platzerwasel Pass
  5. S/E : km 4.94 - alt. 1,082 m - Car park near Le Panoramic restaurant

Notes

Worth a visit

Magnificent panoramic views of almost all the peaks in the Munster Valley (Hohneck, Spitzkoepfe, Petit Ballon, etc.) and a large part of the famous blue line of the Vosges.
Small playground for children at the Schnepfenried station.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
mauricekb
mauricekb

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I did the route in reverse because I couldn't find any signposts in the suggested direction at the start. Even in the opposite direction, signposts should be added at the start of the Panoramic restaurant.
It's a shame that the section between the Platzerwasen pass and the Widenbach refuge isn't signposted, as this would prevent people from going round in circles unnecessarily. Fortunately, there's Visorando, but as there's poor network coverage, you need to download the route in an area with reception.

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you, CESA, for these comments. I have just modified the file accordingly.

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CESA
CESA

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's a shame that such a short hike can be so frustrating.
On the plus side, there's parking at the Panoramic restaurant.
But then how do you spot the red signposts? Which ones?
- the ones on the other side of the road overlooking the Schnepfenriedkopf circuit or the ones after the ski lifts?
Then, after asking the restaurant staff and getting the information, when you arrive on the road after the refuge, try to find the path to the pass, as there are no signposts.
To get back down from the pass to the restaurant car park, fortunately, the return journey is easy thanks to the blue circles indicating the path to take.
The same problems arise with the SCHNEPFENRIED circuit, and it is even more difficult to find the path after the Schnepfenried inn.
I think these two trails need to be revisited so as not to frustrate hikers and to ensure that the descriptions of your trails are reliable.

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jeandede
jeandede

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, very pleasant walk with plenty of shade.

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Pat67600
Pat67600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route, but no network coverage along the entire route due to the altitude of approximately 1,100 metres. You must download the area beforehand!

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Rémy Thiry
Rémy Thiry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk, accessible to all, perfect for a half-day outing and/or with children.
Not too long, with little elevation gain and plenty of shade, it's ideal for hot days.
We chose it to attract our colleagues and their families. I recommend it without hesitation.

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SYLVAIN HARTMANN
SYLVAIN HARTMANN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

If you are looking for a short, not very difficult route, be aware that there is a slight incline!
I also recommend a good meal at the PANORAMIC restaurant when you finish.
The staff are very friendly, the food is good quality and the prices are very reasonable. Highly recommended!
THANK YOU TO VISIORANDO, route downloaded to my phone. It works very well, clear and precise.

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CESA
CESA
• Edited:

We did not go on the hike due to bad weather; hike postponed.

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mislin
mislin

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

When we reached the refuge, the trail indicated a fork, but after taking it, there were no more signs along the way. Fortunately, the app alerted us to our mistake, as we had taken the path that went straight ahead... thank you, Visorando 😜

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Azimut71
Azimut71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route with one advantage: the climbs are in the first part and the descents in the second! The views are at the start; after that, there are trees.

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François et Mireille
François et Mireille

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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Schmitt
Schmitt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy route on a smooth path.
Before the Platzerwasen pass, cross the road and take the path a little higher up towards Platzerwasen, where you will find the blue circle for the return to Schnepfenried.

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