Lauch Walk in Rouffach

Let yourself be carried along the Lauch to discover the rich natural and historical heritage of this remarkable site. Amidst fields, wooded areas and wetlands, a mosaic of natural environments and landscapes will accompany you throughout your walk, where man and nature share a history stretching back several centuries.

Details

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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 205 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 199 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Rouffach (68250)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.960692° / E 7.309832°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Rouffach.
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3719OT, 3719OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Start from the carpool area below the D83 road.

(S/E) From the car park and the information sign, turn left and follow the Lauch upstream. You will come to a sign about irrigation in the past.

(1) Continue along the road to reach another sign about the remarkable willows and riparian woodland.

(2) Return to the path, then first turn right then left to stay along the river. At the next sign, learn about “beavers: the landscape architects of wetlands”.

(3) Head straight ahead, then cross the stream to reach the fish ladder.

(4) Continue straight ahead along the Lauch to reach the signpost “A landscape steeped in history”.

(5) Turn right, then keep to the right as you leave the Lauch. At the stream, go down to the right and you’ll reach the sign marked “Between streams and canals”.

(6) Keep going straight on to reach the fish pass.

(4) Turn left to return to the starting point via the reverse route of the outward journey. 

(S/E) Cross the roundabout and head south along the Lauch. You’ll reach the sign for “Waterways under surveillance”.

(7) Follow the river upstream to the sign on the Lauch.

(8) Stay along the river until you reach a track.

(9) Discuss the Lauch catchment area. Cross the bridge towards the pond, then turn immediately left to explore the area below. Discuss the biodiversity of wetlands, then reach the sign about wetland restoration work.

(10) Return to the starting point by following the route in reverse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 204 m - Car park at the carpool area
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 202 m - Sign: irrigation in the past - La Lauch
  3. 2 : km 1.19 - alt. 202 m - Sign: remarkable willows and riparian woodland
  4. 3 : km 1.98 - alt. 201 m - Sign: the beaver, landscape architect of the wetlands
  5. 4 : km 2.13 - alt. 200 m - The fish pass
  6. 5 : km 3.16 - alt. 200 m - Sign: a landscape steeped in history
  7. 6 : km 3.95 - alt. 200 m - Sign: between streams and canals
  8. 7 : km 6.64 - alt. 203 m - Sign: Watercourses under surveillance
  9. 8 : km 6.97 - alt. 203 m - Sign: La Lauch, a living river
  10. 9 : km 7.76 - alt. 204 m - Trail, The Lauch catchment area
  11. 10 : km 7.88 - alt. 204 m - Signpost: wetland restoration works
  12. S/E : km 9.22 - alt. 204 m - Car park at the carpool area

Notes

The route is accessible to bicycles and pushchairs. The southern path leading to the information boards near the pond is a dead end and accessible only on foot. 
Part of the northern path is shared with vehicles. 

Worth a visit

The town of Rouffach, the foothills of the Vosges, castles and the High Vosges 

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
dinamaria
dinamaria

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route for observing the Lauch river and its banks.
The hike is a bit monotonous due to the lack of open views and, above all, because the outward and return routes are almost identical.

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Vestiga
Vestiga

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route might be interesting, I'll give it a try

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BILDERMANN
BILDERMANN

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the route is marred by the constant noise of traffic on the A83, which runs parallel to the footpath for almost a kilometre. Once the two routes diverge, you can enjoy blending into the landscape. At one point, we lost our way due to a lack of signposting. But with the view of the hillsides, there’s no risk of getting lost!

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk, with some lovely views over the hills of Rouffach.

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chch68
chch68
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk, with no difficulty at all.

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