The quarries of Buhl

This hike could also be called 'Les Balcons de Buhl' (the Buhl balconies). It crosses the Buhlois vineyard, offering magnificent views of the Florival and the Grand Ballon. An additional point of interest is that the circuit crosses old abandoned red sandstone quarries in the Vosges.

Details

15
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 222 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 213 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 547 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 358 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park your vehicle next to the old quarries (on the main road, turn right at the Buhl traffic lights, then left, 300 metres further on and finally left again).

Follow the red circles. The quarries are also signposted.

(S/E) The route begins by taking Rue du Réservoir, which quickly turns into a path.

(1) Pass the reservoir that supplies Buhl with drinking water, where you can fill your water bottles.

(2) A little further on, turn left, still following the red circles. After several intersections, the path begins to climb steeply with small switchbacks. You will quickly arrive at the quarries.

(3) Take the time to admire the red sandstone and the old infrastructure that was used to extract it (I think there are some information panels).

Continue along the path through the quarries until you reach a forest track.

(4) Then turn left towards the Dreibannstein pass (537m).

(5) At the pass, take the path on the left marked with solid blue circles. Follow it, and it will take you back to the starting point, winding through the forest and offering beautiful views of the Grand Ballon at times. (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 358 m - Parking is available next to the old quarries.
  2. 1 : km 0.55 - alt. 403 m - Pass by the reservoir that supplies Buhl.
  3. 2 : km 0.82 - alt. 411 m - Turn left and follow the red circles.
  4. 3 : km 1.59 - alt. 501 m - Carrières de Buhl
  5. 4 : km 2.47 - alt. 496 m - Then turn left.
  6. 5 : km 2.81 - alt. 539 m - Col du Dreibannstein (537m)
  7. S/E : km 6.01 - alt. 360 m - Parking is available next to the old quarries.

Notes

This is an easy route. A pair of trainers is all you need to complete it.

However, remember to bring water, as the sun can be strong in summer. The start of the route is particularly exposed to the sun.

You will find shelter at the Dreibannstein pass.

Worth a visit

Before turning off towards the Dreibannstein pass at the wpt (4), head back down a little towards the Appenthal menhirs. Here you will find rows of stones whose origin is not really known.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 55 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 27042725
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We followed the trail, but according to the map, it seemed like we were on a path parallel to the one indicated, and at the end of the route, we had walked 7.9 km instead of the 6 km indicated. The hiking time and elevation gain were accurate.

This was our first time using Visorando and we were quite satisfied.

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Lisie
Lisie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with a few steep switchbacks.
On the way back, on the last bend going downhill, there is no blue round signpost.

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Attilab
Attilab

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

in places it's quite difficult, but fortunately we had walking sticks and good shoes.
and good shoes. Otherwise, a very fine route

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Pjn
Pjn

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk, parish specific to Brittany!
We just need to point out that the car park is after the bend as you enter the woods!

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Maminouxe
Maminouxe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a nice little hike, with no major difficulties and some fine viewpoints.

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jonathan68
jonathan68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, with lots of old monuments from the occupation, very beautiful quarry!

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mlecarpe
mlecarpe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I went for a walk on a relatively fine day, but the first part was much more charming because it was a very pretty path with great views! Very nice!

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retz
retz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb hike, a little difficult for 70-80 year olds, but the return journey allows you to recover almost exclusively from the descent Satisfied with our day, with the good weather a plus

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Delphinium
Delphinium ★

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb walk in the woods, with a climbing site discovered along the way and remains to discover.
The directions and viewpoints were great.
Thank you 🙏

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Nicole et François
Nicole et François

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful walk close to home

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Christelle Contejean
Christelle Contejean

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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viovio
viovio

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very pleasant forest circuit

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67
67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very uninteresting route to take during the summer heatwave. The quarries provide welcome coolness on hot days. The first part of the walk offers some fine views.

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Barbe à fleurs
Barbe à fleurs

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Lovely walk,
The first part offers beautiful views, and the discovery of the quarries is very interesting (beautiful climbing site). The only downside is the noise from the road...
The second part offers a wide path through a beautiful forest, calm and peaceful.

In conclusion, a lovely walk.

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ANGELAM
ANGELAM

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, nothing to complain about

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