Munster (Haut-Rhin) walks

Le Petit Ballon is one of the iconic peaks of the Vosges. This challenging hike takes you up to Le Petit Ballon via its northern slope, specifically from Munster. It is divided into two sections, each 8 km long. The first section involves a climb of over 800 metres in elevation between Munster and the summit, whilst the second section takes you back down. From the top, there is a splendid view of the highest peaks of the Vosges as well as the Munster and Florival valleys. It is also worth noting that the descent is more wooded than the ascent.

A walk through the town of Munster and its surroundings, centred on the theme of water. It is suitable for families. Come and discover Munster’s heritage through some twenty fun and educational panels, placed along the route. Do take a moment to explore the old wash houses in particular. The walk also offers a glimpse of the hydroelectric power stations still in operation.

This hike covers both sides of the ridge separating the Stosswhir valley and the Metzeral valley, offering views of the ridges, the Col de la Schlucht and the Trois Fours on the way there, and the Petit Ballon massif and the Schnepfenried on the way back. Numerous ruins from the First World War dot both sides of this ridge, which was the dividing line between French and German troops. Eight thousand five hundred men died on these slopes.

A hike that starts at the foot of the Solberg antennas, runs along the heights of the Wasserbourg valley, then crosses over to the Metzeral valley, offering beautiful views of the ridges. Along the route, you will come across some remains of structures from the First and Second World Wars.

A short, shaded circular walk at the foot of the Petit Ballon, offering beautiful views of the Munster valley.

A walk designed for an afternoon, from the upper village towards Lameysberg, through the forest. The viewpoint is at the highest point of the walk. The return route also takes you through the woodland, with the option of stopping for a bite to eat at the Christlesgut farmhouse inn.

A pleasant walk in the hills and forest of Griesbach-au-Val. Numerous views of the village, the Munster valley, Gunsbach and Wihr-au-Val, and the Vosges mountain range.

A few kilometres from the town of Munster, the village of Gunsbach is best known for one of its famous residents, Dr Albert Schweitzer, who had his house built here in 1928 in the village where he grew up. His house is now a museum open to visitors. This circular route, following beautiful paths and trails, climbs up to the Heidenruckenkopf, descends via the Hexenplatz, and passes by the Narrenstein with its unique view of the town and the Fecht valley. It circles the town of Munster and its main attractions, then climbs back up via beautiful paths, notably the Heidenbach trail, and finally descends to Albert Schweitzer’s House.

This route is just 2.4 km long and not particularly difficult. Two-thirds of the route is shaded, with the remainder in open country offering beautiful panoramic views of Munster and its valley. With an extra 400 metres (there and back), you can reach the summit of the Hoernleskopf.

The Linge region was the scene of bloody battles in 1914 and 1915. It is the remains and traces still very much visible on the ground that you will discover as you follow this route. On this section of the Linge-Barrenkopf front, barely 2 km long, one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War in the Vosges took place between 20 July and 16 October 1915. It claimed the lives of more than17,000 young French and German soldiers.

A walk through the painful history of the Vosges mountains, where numerous remains from the First World War can still be found.

This hike is not particularly difficult and follows wide forest paths, offering beautiful views of the Metzeral valley, the Alsace plain and the Black Forest in the distance on the way there. On the way back, you can enjoy views of the Col de la Schlucht and the ridges. The hike can be rounded off with a stop at the Schallern Restaurant or the Gaschney farmhouse inn.

A beautiful, challenging hike that takes you around the Petit Ballon via its farm inns and offers superb panoramic views of the surrounding Vosges peaks of Hohneck, Schlucht, Schnepfenried, Grand Ballon and the valleys of Metzeral, Guebwiller, Linthal and Wasserbourg, not to mention, in good weather, the Black Forest and Swiss Alps.

Discover the Petit Ballon and its superb panoramic views of the Hohneck, Schlucht, Schnepfenried and Grand Ballon peaks and the valleys of Metzeral, Linthal and Wasserbourg, not to mention, in good weather, the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps.

A superb hike that passes along the Steinberg ridge, dotted with large granite boulders rising skywards. The summit of the Petit Ballon offers a beautiful view of the Vosges ridge. The Steinberg is reputed to be a major energy hub in the Hautes-Vosges. This hike is also not particularly difficult, even though it includes a few steep climbs.

A hike with very varied landscapes and paths: small hiking trails, forest paths and exceptional views of the surroundings of the Munster Valley, the Grand Ballon and the Alsace plain from the summits of the Petit Ballon and Steinberg.

A circular walk in the hills above Muhlbach-sur-Munster, starting from the La Perle des Vosges restaurant, along paths that wind through beautiful mountain forests, heading towards the Col du Sattel and the former First World War front line.

A very varied hike possible in all seasons, which first crosses the Linge battlefield to discover the geography and remains of one of the deadliest places of the 1914-18 war. After this moving start, you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views as you head towards the highest lake in the Vosges mountains: Lake Forlet. Walking through its majestic glacial cirque, you can admire the exceptional views offered by the ridges overlooking the lake.

The Petit Ballon tour starts at the Wasenmatten farmhouse inn. A challenging start (+300 m) precedes a gentle descent with superb views of the surrounding mountains - the Vosges, the Black Forest, the Jura and, for the lucky ones, the Alps.

The starting point for this hike in the Petit Ballon massif is at Wassmatt, at an altitude of over 800 m, which reduces the elevation gain. After reaching Buchwald with its hundred-year-old beech trees and panoramic view of the Wasserbourg valley, the Alsace plain and the Black Forest, the route takes us to the peaks and then plunges through the forest to Boenlesgrab. The return journey, which is more peaceful, passes through Dreischoepf and Hanspen before reaching Wassmatt again.

A lovely walk that winds through woodland and stubble fields, with the odd slightly technical section but nothing too difficult (you do need to stay alert). Beautiful views over the Alsace plain and the Kaiserstuhl, and further afield towards the Jura and the Alps. This walk is also dotted with farm inns, all of which are well worth a visit: Wassmatt, Buchwald, Kahlenwasen, Hilsen, Strohberg. But you’ll have to choose...

Enjoy panoramic views of the Munster Valley from the Steinberg stubble fields and the path to Lameysberg, then on the way back, enjoy the scenery on the slopes of Petit Ballon from the Herzog Trail viewpoint.

This hike offers beautiful views of the Munster Valley and the Val d'Orbey. The return route follows the historic Linge Barrenkopf trail.

Superb panoramic views over the Munster Valley and the Val d'Orbey. The hike follows the historic route of the Col du Wettstein, the Linge Memorial and the Barrenkopf defence line.

Panoramic walk amid sculptural rock formations, witnesses to the ancient past of the Vosges mountains. This site is also famous for being a high-energy place in Alsace!

A short and easy hike that will allow you to discover the imposing granite ‘megaliths’ of the Steinberg, with views stretching far into the distance. Ideal after a meal at one of the farmhouse inns near the Petit Ballon.

An almost perfect circular route, worthy of a postcard. Along the entire route, points of interest follow one after another: military remains, historic sites, impressive rocks with remarkable shapes, magnificent panoramas and breathtaking scenery guaranteed. Between the Col du Wettstein, the Rain des Chênes, the village of Les Basses-Huttes, the small pass of Linge, the Schratzmaennele and the Glasborn, with trails and a few forest tracks, charming villages, authentic farm-inns and magnificent views of the Vosges ridges, every kilometre holds its own share of discoveries. A comprehensive hike that has it all: nature, history, heritage, gastronomy and exceptional scenery, for an experience as varied as it is unforgettable.

This is an easy hike with beautiful views of the Keysersberg valley to the east and the ridges to the west. You will always find a sunny spot for a picnic around Lac des Truites. The Auberge du Lac Noir welcomes you for a break and the Ferme Auberge du Forlet is open at the end of April. You can also eat at the Mussmiss farmhouse inn, which is clearly signposted on arrival at the Col du Wettstein.

A beautiful hike starting from the Col du Wettstein, with steep climbs up to the ridge above Lac Noir and Lac Forlet, a descent towards Forlet, where caution is advised, then a gentle stretch to the Musmiss Farm Inn (a gourmet stop) and then, in ten minutes, back to the Col du Wettstein.

The route begins in alpine pastureland, then passes through very shady forests.

An easy hike around the Basses Huttes towards the Ferme Auberge du Rain des Chênes on wide, shaded paths offering beautiful views of the Val d'Orbey through the gaps in the forest.

Explore the forest, lakes and the Hautes Chaumes, the highlights of this hike that follows Vosges Club trails.

This short hike on trails marked by the Club Vosgien has in the first instance views of the valley of Munster, and also a view of the peaks of the Vosges. The many picnic opportunities around the Lac des Truites or Lac Forlet lakes, the trout spotting opportunities, as well the welcoming farmhouse make for an enjoyable outing.

A very pretty, varied walk with scenic views and fairly easy going, I've rated it as moderate as a precaution.

This is a short hike with varied and accessible landscapes along trails and paths. It is pleasant in summer as there is plenty of shade. It is in the last quarter of this hike, starting from Wasserbourg, that you will feel your legs the most over a few hundred metres.

A fairly varied hike starting from Soultzeren, linking Lac du Forlet to Lac Vert. The route consists of pretty, shaded paths running alongside or through a few meadows. After afirst climb of 600 m, which is a little challenging, the rest of the hike is very pleasant and does not present any particular difficulties. Refreshments are available at the Ferme-auberge du Forlet and the Chalet Erichson run by the Club Vosgien (snacks or packed lunches).