Pierre des Trois Bans from the Col de Fréland - Aubure

This hike starts in the hills above Aubure, offering beautiful views of northern Alsace. When you reach the "Pierre des Trois Bans" chalet, there are a few tables where you can stop for a break. Continuing along the ridge path, you can admire the Sainte Marie-Aux-Mines valley. On the way back, there are beautiful views of the Orbey valley and the mountains to the south of Alsace.
On a clear day, if you look carefully, you can see the Grand Ballon, the Petit Ballon and even the Hohneck in the distance.

Details

59930786
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 417 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 422 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,142 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 821 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The car park is located along the D11.3 road, at a place called Col de Fréland (elevation 831).

(S/E) Cross the road and continue north for about 30 metres.

(1) Turn right onto the path marked with a red rectangle (GR®5) and follow it to a road and a calvary.

(2) Go up to the left (Chemin du Combattant) following the red/white rectangle markings (variant ofthe GR®5). You will reach a crossroads near a property.

(3) Continue along the Red/White Rectangle marked trail, following the fence. Further on, leave the marked trail, which veers to the left, and go straight ahead until you reach a wider path.

(4) Continue right on this path, following the red ring markings. It leads to the Renardière holiday camp.

(5) Turn left and take the path marked with a yellow cross for about 300 metres.

(6) At the crossroads, take the path on the left and follow the green disc markings (elevation 1070). Follow this path to the right until you reach the intersection with theGR®532, marked with a yellow rectangle.

(7) Follow the green disc markings to the left until you reach the Pierre des Trois Bans.

(8) To the left of the "Pierre des Trois Bans" chalet, ignore the path marked with a red rectangle and climb to the right, taking the path towards the ridge. Continue along the ridge. You will be rewarded with beautiful views. Continue along the path, following the yellow rectangle markings, then the red rectangle markings. You will arrive at a five-way crossroads (elevation 1097).

(9) Take the yellow ring marked path on the far left until you reach an X-shaped crossroads.

(10) Continue along the unmarked path on the left until you reach a Y-shaped fork.

(11) Follow the path on the right that descends. Join Chemin de la Moyenne Goutte and follow it to the left until you reach a crossroads.

(12) Ignore the yellow triangle markings. Stay on the upper path until you reach another crossroads (elevation 893).

(13) Continue straight ahead, following the green ring markings. Continue along this tarmac road, passing the SALEM buildings, until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 831 m - Car park - Col de Fréland (831m)
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 830 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 0.47 - alt. 821 m - Chemin des Combattants
  4. 3 : km 1.07 - alt. 901 m - Calvary
  5. 4 : km 1.47 - alt. 937 m - Trail and path junction
  6. 5 : km 3.45 - alt. 881 m - La Renardière holiday camp
  7. 6 : km 3.81 - alt. 909 m - Crossroads between path and trail
  8. 7 : km 6.06 - alt. 1,086 m - Intersection with the GR532
  9. 8 : km 6.46 - alt. 1,127 m - Chalet - Pierre des Trois Bans
  10. 9 : km 8.79 - alt. 1,096 m - Rehberg
  11. 10 : km 9.75 - alt. 989 m - Path leaving Anneau Jaune
  12. 11 : km 10.44 - alt. 932 m - The path splits in two directions
  13. 12 : km 11.37 - alt. 892 m - Chemin des Verts Bois
  14. 13 : km 12.34 - alt. 893 m - Le Haut Voirimont
  15. S/E : km 15.41 - alt. 831 m - Car park. Col de Fréland

Notes

Understanding the Club Vosgien trail markings.

6.5 km from the start, at a place called Pierre des Trois Bans (8), there is a chalet. There are three tables where you can stop for a break.
To the left of the chalet, about 100 m up the ridge, there is another picnic table offering a superb view of the Sainte-Marie-Aux-Mines valley.
At Rehberg (9), there is also a picnic area.
Note: there are no water sources along the route. This hike does not present any particular difficulties.

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
jacques.nys
jacques.nys

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route... sometimes a little monotonous in the forest when you see nothing but one tree after another, even though the forest is very pleasant and airy.
The tarmac section at the end, on the other hand, posed no problems, except for the November-like downpour!
The various viewpoints are quite interesting. Thank you to the author for taking us on a walk along the ridge after the Pierre aux Trois Bans shelter on this unmarked trail. It's a shame that the Club Vosgien doesn't offer to take us there via its marked trails.
We were lucky enough to see a chamois grazing peacefully in the middle of a clearing. It didn't seem too worried, even though it saw us and watched us for a long time as we passed by.
Let's hope that the new hotel complex won't spoil the area too much in Salem... but it's probably better to rehabilitate the site than leave it in its current state of disrepair.
We didn't use the description... except for the location of the crossing points. They helped us, along with the map, to take the right paths/trails.

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Paul Engelsbourg
Paul Engelsbourg

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy route.

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F68HOR
F68HOR

According to television images, there is snow mixed with rain on the heights of Lac Blanc. Apparently, they are skiing there. It is therefore possible that there may be traces of snow on the Bagenelles.

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virgule
virgule

Hello,

is there still snow?

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Bastien
Bastien

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with some beautiful views, especially in the second half. Best done on a clearer day than this rather grey Sunday.
The last part is indeed a bit long but offers the most beautiful views.

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WILY68
WILY68

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely places to discover, shame that the last stretch is on tarmac.

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Baritrepler
Baritrepler

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in the hills above Aubure. Stunning views of the Southern Vosges. The route mainly consists of gentle climbs, so it is not difficult. Completed in 4½ hours on 21 September.

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agnes67640
agnes67640

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views of the valley. There are several places to stop for a picnic along the route. It's a shame that the walk ends on a long tarmac road.

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Nature57
Nature57
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in the hills above Aubure. The panoramic views along the ridge are magnificent. There are several places to take a break if needed (chalet, tables, benches). The signposting and directions are good, making the route easy to follow. The long stretch of tarmac road on the way back to the starting point is, in my opinion, the only downside to this beautiful route, which was very quiet on this magnificent Saturday in August. Thank you to the author for this wonderful discovery!

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virgule
virgule

To do one day. At (9), if you're feeling brave, you can go as far as Petit Brézouard.

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