The Hirschsteine rocks by the stairs

A beautiful hike through the Hirschsteine rocks, an area less well known than the famous sentier des Roches, but just as impressive! You'll be amazed by the imposing metal staircase leading up to the rocks, the passageway carved into the rock and the vertiginous but safe path on the mountainside. Return via the ridges from Tanet. Beautiful views over the Munster valley and Lac Vert.
This hike is not permitted in winter! (see practical information)

Details

279046
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.01 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,847 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,847 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,242 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,497 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Col de la Schlucht, 1st car park on the right of the road coming from Munster.

Caution: Work is in progress at the Col la Schlucht. Follow the yellow "route des crêtes" signs to find the GR®5signposted in red.

(S/E) The walk starts to the right of the Hôtel "Le Tétras", via the GR®5marked in red and blue rectangles. After a 1/4 hour climb on a fairly steep rocky path, come to a crossroads.

(1) Turn right onto the yellow triangle path towards the Hirschsteine rocks via the steps. After 10 minutes, you will reach the Spitzenfels, a small rocky promontory offering a view of the Munster valley.

(2) Continue downhill along the yellow triangle path (direction Hirschsteine - Baerenbach).
At the bottom of a wide hairpin bend to the right, stay on the same path and ignore the blue rectangular path that joins the ridge directly.

You will come to a warning sign from the Club Vosgien, "sentier réservé aux personnes initiées" ("trail for experienced hikers only"), as there are some rather strenuous sections on the mountainside.
N.B. The tricky sections are well protected by handrails, but not recommended for those prone to vertigo.
Cross the first passage dug into the rock. Reach an impressive metal staircase that leads up to the Hirschsteine rocks. After the rocks, make a short detour up and back to the viewpoint offering a superb peripheral view.

(3) Rejoin the path and continue following the blue rectangle markings, passing Baerenbach.

(4) Take a wide forest track around a hairpin bend at Baerenbach.

(5) Take the left-hand path, signposted in a modified blue-white-blue rectangle towards Missheimle and Schupferen. Go past the Schupferen refuge and pass under my ski lift line. Further on, take a wide bend to the right to reach a small abandoned chalet.

(6) Turn left onto the path that descends steeply to the Seestaettle farmhouse inn. Continue as far as the road and find the narrow path that runs alongside it.

(7) Don't go as far as Lac Vert (or see alternative route in the practical information section), but take the yellow signposted path (signposted Lybruck) which climbs up to the ridge. Viewpoint over the lake on the way up. When you reach the ridges, take the GR®5marked in red rectangles (also signposted "sentier des Trois Pays").

(8) Turn left towards Tanet. Continue along the GR®5, enjoying the successive viewpoints among the bilberries and heather. At the end of the route, come back to the crossroads you came to on the outward journey.

(1) Follow the same path downhill to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,737 ft - Col de la Schlucht
  2. 1 : mi 0.29 - alt. 4,078 ft - Crossing to Yellow triangle
  3. 2 : mi 0.49 - alt. 3,937 ft - Spitzenfels
  4. 3 : mi 1.37 - alt. 3,602 ft - Belvédère de Hirschteine
  5. 4 : mi 1.61 - alt. 3,770 ft - Baerenbach locality
  6. 5 : mi 2.04 - alt. 3,576 ft - GR 531 junction
  7. 6 : mi 3.14 - alt. 3,691 ft - Junction towards F.A. Seestaettle
  8. 7 : mi 3.56 - alt. 3,504 ft - Ascent to Lybruck / Variant to the - Lac Vert ou de Soultzeren (Vosges)
  9. 8 : mi 4.23 - alt. 3,996 ft - GR 5 crests
  10. S/E : mi 7.01 - alt. 3,737 ft - Col de la Schlucht

Notes

Please note! This hike is not possible between 1st November and 30th April each year. The path leading to the Hirschsteine from point 2 to point 3 is prohibited (Prefectoral decree dated 18 May 2022).

Very rocky paths: good hiking boots essential
Passing the rocks at Hirschsteine is quite strenuous, and there is a warning that the path is for experienced hikers only...

Farmhouse inn on the route: Schupferen + Seeastaettle

Possible variation: At the point (7), you can continue via Lac Vert: follow the yellow then red disc markings, skirting the lake on the east bank, then join the ridge via Dreieck and turn left onto the 3-country path towards Tanet. Follow the description from this point (8)

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

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 176 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Isabelle39500
Isabelle39500

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful discovery… beautiful panoramic views and breathtaking scenery… very few people on the trail and glorious sunshine to boot 🙏🙏

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jean-marie.baur
jean-marie.baur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the route on Tuesday 28 August; it was very chilly and it was raining.
Despite this, thanks to the numerous handrails, we always felt safe.
As the route was quite short, we went for lunch at the Ericsson Chalet, where, as usual, we were given a very warm welcome.
On the way back, we were treated to some lovely views of the valleys, as the sun had come out again.

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JDL Colmar
JDL Colmar

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

  • The Hirchsteine pass is well secured; it’s interesting to come across such passes in the Vosges.
  • You can carry on towards Lac Vert and the Erichson chalet (https://www.vallee-munster.eu/le-chalet-...): a good spot to stop for a bite to eat and a drink.

Those with knee problems should take care, as the path is stony and has quite a few tree roots.

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User 25767140
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant hike! A few tricky sections, but stunning views and lovely paths 🌲⛰️

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User 27967641

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike (our favourite during our stay in the Vosges). A variety of landscapes and impressive panoramic views. The short section along the rock face is very manageable as you can hold on to the handrails, which makes things much easier.
We set off at 9 am from the car park and didn’t come across many other walkers along the route (we’d chosen this route instead of the Sentier des Roches to avoid the crowds).
Our only regret: not having taken the detour to Lac Vert (the views from the path are only very partial).
A must-do.

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jeanmichelG
jeanmichelG

My walk no. 103505624 on 5 August 2026.
The GCO (Strasbourg’s western ring road) was built three years ago between Ernolsheim-sur-Bruche and Kolbsheim, yet it still doesn’t appear on your base maps!
Yet I have a paid subscription....

I have other discrepancies to report to you......once you have replied to this message

Yours sincerely

Jmgies

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User 5578150

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk; one section of the trail is quite technical, so beginners should take care, but the view is spectacular. However, according to Visorando, the distance is different – it was listed as just over 11 km, but we ended up walking nearly 13½ km. I’d still recommend this walk though; we were absolutely blown away by the views.

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User 30122606

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A really lovely, challenging hike!
It brings back memories of days gone by!!
Glad I did it 👍

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User 3463154

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike with magnificent views

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Alpi 01
Alpi 01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The Hirschsteine are as enjoyable to walk along as ever. This time, with the heatwave, we had to avoid holding onto the safety railings as much as possible because they were scorching hot.

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User 2472482

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really, really lovely walk. Thanks to Visorando – without this app, I would have got lost several times

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Bruno Gaugler
Bruno Gaugler

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Five hours is more than enough time to get to the Erichson chalet. That adds another 3km.

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Kiki54450
Kiki54450
• Edited:

Honestly, it's great, but be careful if you're afraid of heights. I recommend visiting in summer. Be aware of the closure dates during winter, as with the Sentier des Roches trail!

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User 27811326

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Excellent. Spectacular.
Can be shortened if you're short on time or extended if you want more.
I recommend it!

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Kiki54450
Kiki54450

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike, but not suitable for beginners or those who are afraid of heights.

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