Orbey walks

I suggest a fairly long hike with a significant elevation gain, classified as very difficult, which will allow you to discover the Orbey Valley with various remarkable viewpoints and several interesting sites: the Tour du Faudé, destroyed in 1915 and 1944 and rebuilt in the 1990s, the Duchesne Cemetery, a national necropolis for French soldiers who fell at Tête des Faux during theFirst World War, and the Gazon du Faing with its panoramic trail, a veritable balcony overlooking Lac Blanc and the Orbey Valley. Caution! This route includes a very technical and difficult section on the descent from the ridges to Lac Blanc, between points (14) and (15). Do not attempt in wet weather. Choose the alternative route described in the practical information.

Breathtaking view of the Vosges peaks and the Tour du Faudé.

A lovely forest walk with a magnificent viewpoint from which to admire the Pays Welsche. From the top of the tower, you’ll enjoy a 360° panorama. The viewing platform is equipped with picnic tables, making it the perfect spot for a lunch break.

A beautiful circular starting from Orbey and taking in two magnificent lakes. First, you will discover Lac Blanc, nestled in a granite basin. On the left, you will see the Rochers du Château Hans topped with a statue. The Chemin Cornélius will take you to Lac Noir, which is lined with fir trees and therefore much darker.

Starting from Orbey, this is an interesting hike thanks to its diversity and magnificent views. During the day, you’ll come across two sites named after rocks, and admire forests with their undergrowth—sometimes open, sometimes dense and serving as shelter for game, or even covered in moss—all along a very pleasant path. A moment to reflect on history as you pass through the battlefields near the Linge; the 1914–1918 war. Then superb views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

An uphill section towards Lake Noir on the slope of Orbey.

A beautiful hike alternating between forest, meadows and the neighbourhoods of Labaroche, with beautiful views.

A short walk starting from the village of Lapoutroie, heading up to see the Tour du Faudé via the Roche du Chat Noir.Standing 16.50 metres tall, the tower rises above the summit of the Faudé. It was inaugurated on 15 August 2002, offering visitors the chance to take in the superb landscapes of the Welche region and the surrounding area.And to round off your day, you can pop into the Haxaire cheese dairy, where Munster cheese is made.

A steep start, a few sections through the forest, but above all beautiful views of Lapoutroie and the Val d’Orbey, the Brézouard and the Tête des Faux, as well as Fréland and the Kaelblin massif.

This short route, starting from the centre of the village of Labaroche, invites you to discover this magnificent village from a slightly higher vantage point. The route skilfully alternates between tarmac and trails, forests and open landscapes, offering a beautiful glimpse of what the region has to offer. The main destination of the hike is the Château du Petit Hohnack, which offers a well-deserved mid-route break with a 360° panoramic view and a bit of history to accompany the landscape. This is the only real difficulty of the route, not technical, but physical. However, it is short and easily avoidable if you don't feel like it, or if you are cycling.

Labaroche is a very large commune. This hike takes you around the upper part of the village, so the elevation gain is modest. The route is divided into two parts and goes around Le Cras and Petit Hohnack. The detour around Le Cras follows forest paths to the Herrenwasen pass. This hike includes a few sections on small mountain roads and is particularly recommended in autumn when nature is ablaze with colour.

This route is structured around four main routes, four atmospheres, four ways of experiencing the landscape. Panoramic at times, through woodland at others, or deep in the forest, with a rhythm of ascents and descents. They cross or skirt the village, opening up views to the east or west, sometimes wide-open, sometimes more secluded. The route begins with a gentle climb, ideal for warming up, as it crosses through the village. We tackle the hill via a very pleasant forest path. Upon reaching the end of the route, after visiting the ‘Le Gestion’ site, we head south again along a wider path, offering breathtaking views to the west. The grand finale: a mix of trails and wide paths, with a breathtaking view of the Alsace plain.

Starting from the village of Labaroche, nestled and scattered across its plateau between the Munster Valley and the Welche region, this circular walk will take you past old farmhouses and the villas of this beautiful mountain suburb of Colmar. The highlight: the medieval ruins of the Château du Petit Hohnack.

A lovely, relatively easy hike that takes you to Lacs Blancs and Lacs Noirs via the lower route. The route is suitable for winter, when the ridges are too snow-covered to hike easily without snowshoes.

Looking for a varied hike with different terrain? Then look no further than the Three Lakes Hike. Rooted footpaths, forest tracks, uneven terrain, crossing the Gazon du Faing, Lac Noir, Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites (also known as Lac du Forlet) and, on a clear day, a diversion to the Belmont Rocher observatory or Rocher de Hans. A lovely hike to do in fine weather. It's better for the scenery.

Nestled in the forest at an altitude of 940 m south of the village of Le Bonhomme, the Auberge de l’Étang du Devin is an ideal starting point for the climb up to Tête des Faux (1,208 m). Numerous remnants of the First World War dot the former battlefield, where a magnificent coniferous forest now thrives.

This is a lovely walk with no particular difficulties, offering beautiful views of the Val d’Orbey, the Munster Valley and the Vosges ridges. Winding through woods and stubble fields, the route takes you from lake to lake to the Schupferen farmhouse inn, where you can enjoy a delicious break with the world’s best Fleischnacka! The welcome is lovely. Booking is essential, as the inn is small. The return journey is mainly downhill, which is very pleasant after a meal at the farmhouse inn.

A varied hike starting from Lac Noir, progressing through the beautiful Vosges forest, taking us to the Hans rock overlooking Lac Blanc. The return route, which is less busy, allows you to discover the source of the lake and the stubble fields near Gazon du Faing.

A pretty walk, alternating between rises and descents following sinuous winds and paths over ridges with magnificent views. ‘’The’’ meeting place for local chamois.

10 km with stunning views of two glacial lakes. The largest and highest, Lac Blanc (depth 72 m) covers 29 ha at an altitude of 1,055 m; Lac Noir (depth 45 m) covers 14 ha at 955 m. Breathtaking views from the Belmont Observatory. Don’t forget your camera.

Five routes are marked out in the Lac Blanc 1200 ski resort, offering several levels of difficulty, with distances ranging from 3 to 14 km. This route is a compilation of sections from three of these routes, forming a circular route of approximately 11 km, taking into account the passages closed due to the marking of quiet zones. The route mainly follows forest paths through a forest of tall fir trees. It includes a beautiful but physically demanding climb on a path winding between the trees, a passage near a First World War necropolis, a short descent through the undergrowth, and then an arrival on a stubble field offering a superb view: first of the Alsace plain and the Black Forest in the distance, then of the Lac Blanc glacial cirque. The route continues through the Lac Blanc Adventure Park before returning to the car park.

A magnificent hike with trails that are sometimes alpine in character.

An exceptional hike offering panoramic views of successive lakes. There are a few challenging climbs, but it's well worth the effort. Best done in good weather to fully enjoy the views available to hikers.

Hike in the Alsatian Vosges from Lac Blanc to Lac Vert and return via Lac des Truites and Lac Noir. These are three loops that follow on from each other so well that you can shorten the route at two points.

Although the climb up to Rocher Hans and the statue of the Virgin Mary at its summit may not look easy, it isn’t as difficult as it seems, even for little ones. After the effort (all the same), the reward!Of course, Rocher Hans itself is inaccessible, but the various viewpoints overlooking the lake are truly magnificent.Be careful, though – the descent is a bit trickier: less steep, but more slippery in places.The final few hundred metres, along the road, are safe: the path is separated and protected by a metal and wooden guardrail.

An easy walk that takes you through the Vallon du Limbach and its moss-covered forests, which have unfortunately suffered greatly from various storms. The upper section of the route takes you through beautiful mixed woodland, with conifers, oaks and beech trees. Suitable for all seasons but ideal on a warm, sunny day, as the valley is very shaded. The rest of the route is also in the shade of tall trees.

This route will take you from an ancient Roman road to the heights of Fréland. Done in good weather at the end of winter, it offers a varied and peaceful hike. Along the way, you will see the first primroses, streams and a view of the Lapoutroie valley. On the way back, it is always a pleasure to cross Fréland. A short visit to the Welche country museum and its adjoining inn will be a pleasant way to round off the walk.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The start of this walk, suggested by Passion Vosges magazine as part of its ‘gourmet walks’ series, begins at the car park of the Maison du Pays Welche, which is next to the museum restaurant, the gourmet stop on this outing.

This easy circular route, on small mountain roads and very passable paths, will take you to the heights of Le Bonhomme towards the Col des Bagenelles, offering you beautiful postcard views of the Vosges mountain pastures. Taken in May, this walk can also be done in summer to escape the heatwave in the Alsace plain. The Club Vosgien markings are provided for information purposes only, as they may change over time.

In spring, there is nothing more pleasant than this circular starting from Fréland and passing through the Col de Chamont. Lovely panoramic views of the Pays Welche, the Fréland and Lapoutroie valleys, the magnificent Mont Kalblin and beautiful forest passages.

A hike that circles the Grand Brézouard, one of the peaks over 1,200 m located furthest north in the Vosges massif. A fairly demanding route with the main ascent taking place right from the start. Varied terrain and landscapes (woodland, rocky ridge, high-altitude meadows).Please note: at (6) => The quiet zone, in force from 1 December to 1 July, is primarily aimed at preserving habitats favourable to the wildlife of old-growth forests. Furthermore, conditions of silence and tranquillity must be strictly maintained, particularly during the winter and breeding seasons. (INPN - ZNIEFF). 20/08/2024: Route modified to avoid the Grand Brézouard, which has been cleared of signposts to reinforce the quiet zone.

This hike will take you from Le Bonhomme to the 1914-1918 battlefields of Tête des Faux, then to the three passes of Calvaire, Louschbach and Bonhomme. Along the way, depending on the season, you can enjoy the abundance of blueberry bushes along the path.

A lovely snowshoe walk in a place steeped in legends and the history of the 1914-1918 war.

A circular hike starting from Le Bonhomme. It takes us through the forest to Lac Blanc. The return journey crosses a small section of the battlefields of theFirst World War. There are numerous military structures, as well as a national necropolis and a German military cemetery. An important place of remembrance in the history of the Alsace region.

This circular hike starts in the village of Le Bonhomme and follows the "Circuit de la Grande Guerre sur le massif de la Tête des Faux" (Great War Trail on the Tête des Faux massif), which was a fierce battlefield between 1914 and 1915. Here you will find remnants of the 1914-18 war, two imposing cemeteries, as well as fortifications and technical installations erected by the Germans. The Étang du Devin and its bucolic setting offer a place to rest.

A very beautiful circular hike from Le Bonhomme, which is not too busy. We were lucky enough to pass through areas filled with flowering foxgloves... magnificent.A varied route through forests and pastures.