Rocher de Dabo, Col de la Schleif and Rocher du Himbeerfels circular loop

Departure from the Schlossberg car park at the top of the Rocher de Dabo (650 m).

(S/E) Climb up between the Rocher de Dabo on the left and the restaurant "La Chouette d'Or" on the right.

(1) Descend the path on the right at the sign for the "Route du Rocher": marked with a red ring and yellow cross. Cross the road and continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads at the edge of the forest.

(2) Cross the road and rejoin the Schlosskopf route on the right. Pass the Rosskopf hunting lodge, clearly visible in the meadow on the right, and arrive at a crossroads of paths and forest roads.

(3) Follow the Staniskas Kléber trail on the right: marked with a red rectangle and yellow ring (GR® 53-GR®534). You will arrive at Rutschfelsen: bench and information panel.

(4) Continue along the path until you reach a road with a crossroads of several paths. Cross carefully and follow the path to the right towards the Col de la Schleif: La Croix du Loup route - marked with a yellow ring. Continue to the Col de la Schleif: a well-equipped area with tables and benches, some of which are covered, and barbecues if you wish to have a picnic.

(5) Turn back about a hundred metres and turn right onto the Blottkopf forest path until you reach a trailhead on the left.

(6) Leave the forest path and follow the GR®534 marked with red rings to the left, towards Col du Himbeerfels.

(7) Follow the path on the right that leads to Himbeerfels: side paths around the rock allow you to walk around it and climb up. Carved out of the pink sandstone of the Vosges by nature, this magnificent rock formation, which can be climbed via a staircase, offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area from its summit in good weather. There is a niche nicely decorated with garden gnomes. The rock, which has different names depending on the signs you come across, is called Raspberry Rock here.

(8) Set off again at the Col du Himbeerfels crossroads.

(7) Take the path downhill to the right marked with a yellow rectangle (GR®532) which leads to the D45 departmental road.

(9) Cross the road carefully and first turn right then left to follow the path between the houses and the road: marked with a red disc.

(10) When you reach the Barbelsahn crossroads, make the first turn right then left to stay on the red disc trail. Join the crossroads with another marked trail.

(11) Follow the red disc to the left and walk for about 200 metres.

(12) Descend the path on the right in a hairpin bend and cross the Ruisseau du Dabo via the wooden footbridge. Climb up opposite (Yellow Ring) and when you reach a tarmac forest track, follow it uphill. Make a wide circular loop to the left, ignoring all the paths on the right, and reach the crossroads with the D45.

(13) Cross carefully, leave the Route du Rocher and take the road on the left almost opposite, with the Saint-Léon stadium and the Camping du Rocher chalet-refuge on your left. Then follow the path uphill along the road on the right. You will rejoin the path you took at the start of the hike.

(2) Turn right to return to Rocher de Dabo.

(1) Turn left, pass between the buildings and take the stairs on the right to climb up to Chapelle Saint-Léon.

(14) Descend and return to the Schlossberg car park (S/E).

Circular route mapped out, completed and enjoyed, particularly the Zollstock restaurant, despite heavy rain and strong winds, on 11 February 2026 by Le.s Branquignol.e.s. (the famous group of epicurean hiking friends from Alsace whose motto is "take it one step at a time").

(9) Make a return trip to the Zollstock Restaurant, which is 200 metres to the right, walking carefully along the road.

Restaurant Zollstock: Authentic and hearty regional French cuisine, very good value for money, warm welcome and efficient service.

https://restaurant-zollstock.fr: 03 87 08 80 65

11 Route du Zollstock, 57850 Dabo.

Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00.

Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 to 15:00 only.

(S/E) Come and explore this rock, which offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Vosges mountains. A chapel dedicated to Pope Saint Leo IX has been built there. Rising out of the forest at a height of 664 metres, this pink sandstone rock is a unique site.
A place of Celtic worship, in medieval times the rock was crowned by a mighty castle, seat of the legendary county of Dabo. It was destroyed in 1690 on the orders of Louis XIV when the county was annexed to France. The current neo-Romanesque chapel is dedicated to Pope Leo IX, a native of the region.
The Rocher de Dabo offers a magnificent view of the vast Vosges forest and the Lorraine plateau. The rock is visible all year round, but access to the platform is restricted during the winter months: source visit alsace.