Ranspach walks

A walk around Markstein on a typical Vosges ridge. This route has all the ingredients for a great hike in the Vosges mountains, including panoramic views of the peaks and valleys, well-marked trails laid out by the Club Vosgien, including over thatch, and visits to a number of farm inns.

This is a must-do circuit for all hiking enthusiasts.

This walk takes you to the Lac des Perches ; a lake that nestles at the bottom of a very steep-sided cirque. Then the path leads you on to a stubble field where there is a very beautiful view over the valley of the Doller and even of the Alps when the sky is clear.

A pleasant, undulating hike between the lakes of the Vosges, offering magnificent views, high-altitude thatched roofs and open, varied landscapes. Starting from Rimbach near Masevaux, head towards Basse Bers, then Lac des Perches, climb up to the pass of the same name, followed by the GR®5 trail overlooking the lake, towards Haute Beers (shelter). Gentle descent via the Seppiweg to the Neuweiher lakes, then climb towards Gresson (farmhouse inn). Descent to Ermensbach via the magnificent log cabin shelter of Lagerwald Hutte, then along the hillside to the church in Rimbach.

This short hike offers breathtaking views of the Col des Perches and the lake of the same name, Sternsee. A bench and a small table above the scree overlooking the lake are ideal for a snack break while admiring the landscape. At the Grand Neuweiher lake, stop at the refuge inn to quench your thirst before heading back to Rimbach. Moderator's note: the Blue Disc trail between (6) and Ermensbach is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Horse trail (Steinweg).

An original route to get to Lac du Grand Ballon avoiding the road. You will discover beautiful trees, a waterfall and views over the Petit Ballon and the Black Forest along the way.

In the Doller valley, this walk will let you discover the lakes of Neuweiher and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Vosges. It's an easy walk and accessible to anyone.

A very beautiful, shaded hike through a magnificent forest of hundred-year-old beech trees, with views of the Chaume des Vintergés and the Chaume du Grand Ventron viewpoint, overlooking the ridges (Markstein, Grand Ballon and Alsace).

A peaceful hike that will take you to Sewen Lake and its peat bogs, then to Alfeld Lake, which is very different with its dam. The path is flat until you reach the foot of the dam, then climbs a little.

The hike starts in Murbach and allows you to discover several attractions in the valley: Murbach Abbey, the Notre Dame de Lorette Chapel and the ruins of an ancient castle, the Hohrupf.

This beautiful hike takes you from Masevaux to the summit of Rossberg at an altitude of 1,191 metres. From the top, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Vosges, the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, the Jura and the Alps. The elevation gain is significant, but the route is otherwise easy.

The Hartmannswillerkopf (Viel Armand in French) was the scene of fierce fighting throughout 1915. Losses amounted to 50,000 dead, evenly divided between the two sides. This hike pays tribute to these soldiers by following part of their trenches. It begins with the ascent of the massif, following the German fortified trenches to the summit where the necropolis is located. The return route descends via the French side, the "Chemin des Dames".

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.

This hike will take you to the Source de la Doller, which, contrary to what you might think, does not originate at the Ballon d'Alsace, but below the Schlumpf. During the hike, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Doller valley and have the opportunity to eat at one of the farmhouse inns along the route.

Start and finish at the Col de Bramont. This route will let you discover the Lac des Corbeaux from the Belvédère de la Roche du Lac 200m above it. The view is stunning and its the perfect place for a snack! A trail takes you down to the lake. It doesn't cross the embankment, but takes you round the lake on a pleasant, shady trail. Return to the Col de Bramont via the Étang de Sèchemer. A very beautiful circuit that's not too difficult, although very steep.

A very pretty walk in the magnificent Wormsa valley, with its succession of glacial moraine fields, small waterfalls and a succession of wooden footbridges. You reach the pretty little Lac du Fischboedle with its gazebo, then further up the Lac du Schiessrothried. This section has a few technical sections, but the reward is there for the effort. The return journey is easier and takes wide, shady forest paths.

A pretty little walk with a beautiful viewpoint over Lac des Corbeaux, where you may like to take a dip.

This hike could also be called 'Les Balcons de Buhl' (the Buhl balconies). It crosses the Buhlois vineyard, offering magnificent views of the Florival and the Grand Ballon. An additional point of interest is that the circuit crosses old abandoned red sandstone quarries in the Vosges.

Randonnée en raquettes (ou à pied en été) en partant du camping du haut des Bluches ; montée vers le Lac des Corbeaux et retour par l'Étang de Sèchemer.

This is a very pleasant hike that also offers views of the Alsace plain. The different environments you will pass through will delight walkers who take the time to look around.

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.

A pretty loop around the heights of Metzeral and Muhlbach with beautiful views of the Grande Vallée, the Vosges ridges and the Hohneck massif. The Kuhfeil lookout offers a breathtaking view of Metzeral. It is also a place of remembrance. Bitter fighting took place here during the Battle of Metzeral in 1915.

This is a pleasant hike, starting with a slight descent into the woods, with almost the entire climb being open.

A family walk in unspoilt, lush countryside at an average altitude of 950 m and with no difficulty. The first part of the route is below the Plain de la Gentiane, in the forest among century-old trees and lush vegetation. Once you reach the Wissgrut, the return journey is along the ridge through sun-drenched pastures with panoramic views of four departments.

The Petit Ballon tour starts at the Wasenmatten farmhouse inn. A challenging start (+300 m) precedes a gentle descent with superb views of the surrounding mountains - the Vosges, the Black Forest, the Jura and, for the lucky ones, the Alps.

A circular walk around Michelbach dam with views over the Swiss Alps and 'Le Grand Ballon d'Alsace' on a clear day. Perfect spot for wildlife spotting. Along the way there are many signs giving some information about what to see and the history.

The Hohneck with all the beauty of the Vosges mountains: the great rocky escarpments, the cirques, the seeping springs, the traces of the Ice Age, the flora and fauna and the famous farmhouse inns. 06/02/2023: Hiking prohibited until further notice by municipal decree due to rock and stone falls on theGR®531.

This hike begins on the western flank of Mont Jean, through a forest interspersed with clearings offering magnificent views of the Savoureuse valley and the surrounding peaks. It reaches its peak at the Col du Chantoiseau, a haven of peace at the crossroads, at the foot of the Tremontkopf, which offers a view of the Riervescemont valley and its hills.