Charlemagne car park - Schiessrothried Lake

Park in the Charlemagne car park on the D430 road.

(S) Go directly to the forest road leading to Hohneck. At the junction with the^GR®5, take the small gate on the right to reach the ridges.

(1) Pass Col Falimont and reach the summit of Hohneck.

(2) Make a detour via the Hohneck orientation table. Follow the ridge towards the south-west. The signposting is not very clear but it is difficult to go wrong. Join the Névés trail.

(3) Follow the yellow cross markings. Arrive at the Kastelberg junction.

(4) Take the path that descends south-east and arrive at the Kastelbergwasen inn.

(5) Turn left, below the car park, onto the blue rectangle trail, which is the^GR®531.
Be careful, once you reach the forest, some sections are a bit tricky, especially with a heavy rucksack. Dangerous path signs warn you in advance.
You will reach the Ammelthal crossing.

(6) Be careful, once you have crossed the stream, follow the Schiessrothried sign that goes up to the left (the signposting is not very clear and the path is not very well marked. Look for blue rectangles a little further on to make sure you are on the right path. Cross the scree and continue to reach Lac de Schiessrothried and then the Schiessrothried refuge, today's destination (E)

(E) Remember to book the refuge before you leave.
The refuge is comfortable (drinking water, electricity, toilets – but no showers – kitchen equipped with wood stove, crockery, fridge, games), and you sleep in dormitories (blankets and bolsters provided, bring a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner). Drinks can be purchased on site. Some rubbish can be left behind, but recyclables must be taken with you. The welcome is warm and the setting is beautiful.

For the sections on the^GR®531Rectangle Bleu, be careful, especially in wet weather, as there are metal steps, handrails and ropes, and you will be crossing scree, which is tricky in places, although very beautiful. Nevertheless, we made it through with our backpacks loaded (we set off for two days with sleeping bags, clothes and food for one adult and one child per bag) and the children loved it (aged 7 and 10).

You can buy farm produce or eat at the various farm inns along the route (Hohneck, Kastelbergwasen, Schiessroth, Frankenthal, at least the ones we saw open when we passed through).

(3) The ridges are very beautiful but windy. There is an orientation table behind the inn that gives a good overview of the surrounding area. The entire walk around the Hohneck offers a good view of the route that will be taken over the two days.
It seems that the area is often frequented by chamois, but we didn't see any during our walk.
In mid-October, you can watch the cows being herded up to the Hohneck, as we did. You'll hear them coming from below, ringing their bells!

(4) Spitzkoepfe: a lovely viewpoint on this peak, between the rocks, and a good place for a picnic (be careful of the wind, though)!

(E) Schiessrothried refuge: a comfortable refuge with a pleasant little beach below.