The remains of Vieil Armand as seen from the Gros Chêne

Parking: Gros Chêne car park – Route du Col Amic

(S/E) From the Gros Chêne car park (400 m from the Club Vosgien Soultz shelter, with the Gros Chêne opposite), follow the forest path known as the Chemin des Pèlerins (Thierenbach – Wattwiller) to the left.

(1) Ignore a path on the right, then another on the left, and continue to the wayside cross.

(2) Take the forest track to the right, marked with a Red Rectangle crossed by a White Rectangle, then turn left at the 380-metre mark. You are now on the Grillenpfad, which runs alongside the Serpentine Road, the main military road that supplied the Vieil Armand front. At the crossroads, carry straight on and head towards a bend in the track. Head straight ahead to follow the path which crosses two other tracks. At the end of the path, turn left. After a steep climb, you’ll soon reach the Zeller canteen (662 m).

(3) Head right-hand way up and follow the German ruins and shelters marked with a Red Rectangle crossed out in white. Turn left, then right, and then left again to reach the ridge. Continue along the second path on the right. Keep climbing to reach the cross (956 m) overlooking the famous 15/2 monument, where the ‘Red Devils’ fought valiantly to capture this ridge, offering a magnificent view over the Alsace plain.''

(4) Continue to follow the path opposite until you reach the summit cross.

(5) Turn sharply left to follow the front lines, where the trenches and shelters have been uncovered. On the descent towards the Silberloch cemetery, cross the lightly fortified French lines. Keep to the right at the first junction, then carry on straight ahead to the cemetery and the memorial. Go round it to the right and head back to the car park.

(6) At Silberloch, at the far end of the car park, heading towards the Grand Ballon, follow the^GR® 5 Red Rectangle long-distance hiking trail, which leads to the Col du Freundstein.

(7) Turn right onto the forest track marked with a Red Disc and Green Triangle to head downhill. Take the first track on the left and follow the switchbacks down until you rejoin the track marked with a Green Triangle. Follow this to the left and head back up the Yellow Disc path leading to the Sicurani Chapel.

(8) Carry on straight ahead, then turn right onto the path marked with a Yellow Disc. Cross a track to reach Fort-Abri Baratin.

(9) Continue downhill. At the forest junction, carry on straight ahead, then turn left towards the Zimmerman Cross. Follow the road to the next junction.

(10) The forest path marked with a Red Triangle runs alongside the Kaltenbach Stream. At the two junctions, stay on the path alongside the stream, then cross the stream and continue to the right, then right again to join the Chemin des Pèlerins.

(1) Turn left and, following the path in the opposite direction to the way out, head towards the Gros Chêne (S/E).

- Vieil Armand