Refine your search for walks in Rainkopf
Rainkopf walks
Five lakes around Kastelberg
Visorando Member
11.49 mi
+3,304 ft
-3,301 ft
8h 10
Difficult
Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
This hike will take us on a day-long journey to discover some of the most beautiful lakes in the Vosges, four of which are nestled in remarkable glacial cirques.
From the Étang de Machais to the Rainkopf via the Blanchemer and La Lande lakes
9.36 mi
+1,650 ft
-1,627 ft
5h 45
Moderate
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
Where the ridge splits in two, one towards the Grand Ballon and the other towards the Grand Ventron, the Rainkopf offers an exceptional 360° panorama. There are many points of interest along the route, including Lac de Blanchemer and its floating peat bog, Lac de La Lande and its dam, Chaume du Firsmiss, the beautiful Machais peat bog, the glacial cirques and their scree slopes, and views of the Vosges and Alsace peaks and the Fecht and Thur valleys.
Étang Machey, Lac de Blanchemer, Rainkopf and Rothenbachkopf
6.61 mi
+1,624 ft
-1,617 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
A peat bog, a lake and two peaks on the ridges with views of the main Vosges mountains. On clear days, especially in winter, you can see the Black Forest and the Alps.
Circuit of the 6 lakes around Hohneck
19.27 mi
+4,941 ft
-4,934 ft
12 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Metzeral (Haut-Rhin)
A long hike around the third highest peak in the Vosges mountains and the highest in the Vosges department, following six lakes.
The route offers beautiful views and all types of terrain (paths, roads, trails, forest, clearings, alpine pastures, etc.).
This is a very difficult hike for experienced hikers only (length, duration and significant elevation gain).
Not to be attempted in winter; best done in late spring, summer or early autumn.
Hohneck/Altenweiller Lake/Rothenbachkof
9.13 mi
+2,808 ft
-2,808 ft
6h 40
Moderate
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
A beautiful descent!
But then a beautiful climb back up!!!
Magnificent scenery and lots of flowers to admire in early July... and enjoy tasting local produce at the Steinwasen farm inn...
The Rainkopf via Lac de Blanchemer on snowshoes
8.24 mi
+1,627 ft
-1,614 ft
6 hrs
Difficult
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
This route is a little way from the La Bresse ski resorts. It is easy up to Lac de Blanchemer, but becomes more challenging as you approach Rainkopf. However, the exceptional panoramic view from the summit makes it well worth the effort.
Around the Altenweiher
5.91 mi
+1,814 ft
-1,814 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Wildenstein (Haut-Rhin)
From the Col de la Schlucht, take the ridge road towards Markstein and park in the Maison de la Nature car park by the roadside. This short hike will take you up the steep slopes of Kastelberg and Rainkopf to discover the Altenweiher dam lake before climbing back up to the top of Rainkopf. You can walk around the lake, which takes about 20 minutes extra.
The Hohneck Lakes
10.98 mi
+3,737 ft
-3,720 ft
8h 20
Difficult
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
A beautiful, challenging hike for experienced hikers.
This route is not accessible in winter. The route is closed between (8), (9), (10) and (11) from 1 November to 30 April 2022 (Prefectural decree of 18 May 2022).
Towards Rainkopf
3.93 mi
+988 ft
-984 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Wildenstein (Haut-Rhin)
A hike on and below the great ridge in an almost alpine setting, offering breathtaking views of the Munster Valley.
Hohneck - Batteriekopf
10.72 mi
+3,051 ft
-3,028 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
Circular starting from the bottom of Hohneck (Paquis des Fées) which descends to Lac de Schiessrothried then Lac de Fischboedle, climbs back up via Kerbholz, crosses the peaks of Rainkopf, Rothenbachkopf and Batteriekopf. Lovely views of various other lakes (Kruth-Wildenstein, Blanchemer, de la Lande) and the Alps if the weather is good.
Circular route via Étang de Machais, Rainkopf and Lac de Blanchemer
8.41 mi
+2,306 ft
-2,306 ft
5h 50
Moderate
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
In the La Bresse region, a circular route allowing you to cross the Machais peat bog, then climb three summits, ending at Lac de Blanchemer. Breathtaking views of the Vosges and Alsace.
Trilogy south of Hohneck
8.44 mi
+2,556 ft
-2,559 ft
6h 05
Moderate
Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
This route focuses on three beautiful peaks south of Hohneck. The climb passes by the very pretty Altenweiher (old lake) before reaching the ridge. The view of Rothenbachkopf from Rainkopf is superb. This hike combines scree, undergrowth and high-altitude pastures.
Around point 48°North - 7°East
8.49 mi
+2,283 ft
-2,283 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
48°00'00'' North / 07°00'00'' East, starting point for this hike around Lake Altenweiher. This highly varied hike alternates between forest paths, "alpine" passages and scree slopes in glacial cirques, offering panoramic views of the Alsace and Vosges slopes from the hilltops and summits, as well as the opportunity to stop for refreshments at authentic farmhouse inns.
Around Kastelberg
9.69 mi
+2,556 ft
-2,556 ft
6h 40
Moderate
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
Circular route along the Vosges ridges around one of its highest peaks, the Kastelberg (1350m).
Passage on the Alsace side at Lake Altenweiher (925m) and on the Vosges side at Lakes Blanchemer (985m) and Lande (1034m).
From Hohneck to three lakes via Sapin de Kolben
14.29 mi
+3,904 ft
-3,898 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
On the agenda: a full day of breathtaking views!
Starting from the summit of Hohneck, this hike will take you to a less frequented slope to the east of the Col du Rothenbach. This will lead you to the Sapin de Kolben and the chapel, before discovering the three lakes: Altenweiher, Fischboedle and Schiessrothried. Finally, return to the summit via the Col de Schaeferthal.
This hike is classified as very difficult: see the Practical Information section.
Col de la Schlucht – Le Grand Ballon: the Sentier des Crêtes
16.57 mi
+3,238 ft
-2,556 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Le Valtin (Vosges)
A very beautiful hike, taking in some remarkable sights: the Martinswand rocks, the summit of the Hohneck, the summit of the Kastelberg and the Grand Ballon (with the ‘Boule’ at the summit).
Kolben Chapel – Rainkopf – Rothenbachkopf route
6.25 mi
+2,516 ft
-2,510 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Mittlach (Haut-Rhin)
This beautiful, not overly long hike follows trails and offers, from the ascent to the ridge towards Rainkopf and then Rothenbachkopf, a panoramic view of the Vosges and, weather permitting, even the Bernese Alps.
A loop around Kastelberg via Wormsawald
8.33 mi
+1,864 ft
-1,864 ft
5h 25
Difficult
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
This varied and challenging loop, winding its way through the stubble fields and forests of the Vosges, offers beautiful views of the lakes and Alsace on one side and Lorraine on the other. You may even be lucky enough to spot some chamois. Some difficult sections are reminiscent of the Sentier des Roches.
06/02/2023: Hiking prohibited until further notice by municipal decree due to rock and stone falls on theGR®®531.
Circular Vosges, Hohneck, Lakes
22.45 mi
+5,240 ft
-5,223 ft
3 days
Moderate
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
A 3-day hiking and bivouacking trip, starting and finishing at Lac de Blanchemer
The route takes you through the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park to explore the park’s third-highest peak, the Hohneck (alt. 1,363 m), as well as the Rainkopf (alt. 1,305 m), passing through the dense Bresse forest and past Lac des Corbeaux.
From Lac de Blanchemer to the Chalet de Rouge Mousse
7.13 mi
+1,880 ft
-2,054 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from La Bresse (Vosges)
Starting from Lac de Blanchemer, the route follows theGR®531, taking you via the Rainkopf (alt. 1,305 m), before descending towards the Tourbière de Machais, the Col de Bramont and the Étang de Sèchemer to reach the Chalet de Rouge Mousse.