Russ – Col du Teufelsloch – Rocher de la Marbrière

A circular walk exploring the ancient geological riches of the Bruche Valley, the Rocher de la Marbrière, which takes its name from a marble deposit once quarried here, then filled in around the 1970s, and which is no longer visible today. Towards the end of the route, a return trip via this lovely, secure promontory offers a view of the Schirmeck Valley as far as Urmatt. It is situated about a hundred metres behind a pleasant shelter of the same name, an ideal spot for a lunch break. Along the route, there are some very beautiful views of the Struthof Memorial, the town of Schirmeck, the Donon, the Hersbach quarry, the villages of Russ and Wisches, as well as the many surrounding peaks.

Details

42340650
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 461 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 466 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 736 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 281 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
  • ⚐ City: Russ (67130)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.495682° / E 7.259361°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Russ-Hersbach.
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3716ET, 3716ETR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the town hall car park, Place des Tilleuls, right next to the church.

Green Ring trail markings

(S/E) With your back to the town hall, head left, walk up Rue de la Forêt alongside the Ruisseau de Russ until you reach the water treatment plant.

(1) Take the forest path on the right and follow the signposting to a fork.

(2) Turn right onto the forest road and continue to a hairpin bend.

(3) Turn right and, almost directly opposite, take Route Sapinière to Col de Teufelsloch and its shelter (closed).

(4) Pass it, turn right again and make your way through the forest along a single track, skirting the Barembach pastures on the right. You’ll arrive at a plateau with a lovely panoramic view.

(5) Leave the single track to reach a forest road; turn right and follow it for about 200 m.

(6) Turn left and follow the path for about 1.2 km through a beautiful forest until you reach the junction with the Route Forestière de la Marbrière.

(7) Turn left onto this road and follow it for about 400 m to reach the Abri de la Marbrière and the rock of the same name.

(8) Walk behind the shelter (three tables and three benches inside the shelter and the same outside, under beautiful oak trees) and continue for about a hundred metres to reach the natural promontory, fitted with a guardrail, where you can admire the splendid panoramic view over the valley.
Return to the shelter.

Unmarked

(8) With your back to the shelter, continue to the right along the forest road. After about 300 m, continue along the path downhill, slightly to the right, until you reach a hairpin bend.

(9) Turn right onto a very rocky path: take care. At times, you’ll walk alongside the Steinbach Stream. Pass a water tower on your right and, once in the village, cross Rue de Steinbach (D204) with care to take Rue des Deux Fontaines, slightly to the left, and follow it until you reach a path.

(10) Turn right and follow the dual carriageway leading to the Russ retail park. Continue until you reach Rue de la Gare, which you should take to the right to head back up to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 301 m - Town Hall car park (next to the church)
  2. 1 : km 1.6 - alt. 399 m - Drinking water plant
  3. 2 : km 3.16 - alt. 537 m - Junction on a forest path
  4. 3 : km 3.7 - alt. 598 m - Hairpin bend
  5. 4 : km 5.29 - alt. 713 m - Teufelsloch Pass and Shelter
  6. 5 : km 6.51 - alt. 633 m - Turn right
  7. 6 : km 6.67 - alt. 638 m - Turn left
  8. 7 : km 7.88 - alt. 518 m - Marbrière Forest Road
  9. 8 : km 8.39 - alt. 508 m - Marbrière shelter and viewpoint
  10. 9 : km 9.14 - alt. 485 m - Hairpin bend
  11. 10 : km 10.3 - alt. 293 m - Junction on the path. Near the - Bruche (rivière)
  12. S/E : km 11.92 - alt. 301 m - Town Hall car park (next to the church)

Notes

Hike tested and approved by the Branquignols (a famous group of epicurean friends and Alsatian hikers) who particularly appreciated the variety of paths, the break at the Abri de la Marbrière – very comfortable and clean – and the stunning views at certain points along the route.
A good pair of shoes is essential, particularly for the rocky section of the descent, and we also found walking poles useful.
This hike can be done by arriving by train, setting off from and returning to the station; allow for an extra 500 m or so.

Worth a visit

There are no places to eat along the circular route, but you’ll pass a Super U supermarket right at the end of the route.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
3.2 / 5
Phil Nomade
Phil Nomade
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

The first part of the climb up to the Teufelsloch shelter is rather monotonous and unremarkable, but it’s worth the effort to admire the view over the valley and beyond, as you can see the Nordheim mast.
I took a different path down from the pastures, crossing them to reach Barembach via a very pleasant route with a lovely view of Schirmeck and the Donon.
A fairly easy hike in the first section, as I didn’t do the second part.
Thanks

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GérardPierre67
GérardPierre67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route should not be attempted in freezing conditions; several sections were icy on 12 January and therefore dangerous, particularly on the descents. It’s a lovely route, apart from the final section along the B-road. But there are no other options. There’s a stunning view of the valley from La Marbrière.

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Randonneur Y
Randonneur Y

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The first part of the walk is a bit monotonous as it follows a forest track.
A pleasant walk to do when it’s hot, as a good part of it is through the woods.
Beautiful view from La Marbrière

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rainbow67
rainbow67

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

This route mainly followed forest tracks, with an uphill section in the first half and a downhill section in the second. The only points of interest were the view and the broom at the summit.
The last 20 minutes are on a tarmac road running alongside a dual carriageway and an industrial estate.

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ottrott
ottrott

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

A 5km climb along a wide path, followed by a 6km descent with just one viewpoint. We were very disappointed with the route. Furthermore, all paths 2 metres wide or more are closed to all traffic (as indicated by signs). Before long, we’ll be banned from the forest altogether.

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alsaco2
alsaco2

Dear Sir,
For me, hiking is a space for freedom, for walking, breathing and connecting with my dear Branquignols (a famous group of epicurean Alsatian hiking friends), I sometimes extend my enjoyment by sharing our hikes through posts so that others may also experience the same pleasure, and I write as I please with complete freedom, whilst leaving it to the site moderators to correct me if necessary. Here, they haven’t done so; they certainly have a more open mind towards other languages and other sports such as mountain biking (which, incidentally, I also practise).
On that note, the matter is closed as far as I’m concerned; I’ve been delighted to chat with you.

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Zielinsky
Zielinsky
• Edited:

You’re mistaken, my dear friend; no conceit on my part. You know full well what’s at stake here: the decline of our language; the invasion of English; and that of mountain bikes on footpaths. Everyone to their own. If only, to make up for some supposed shortcoming in French, “alsaco2” had used “pfàdla”........ How wrong of you to feel offended! Sorry, cheers – and see you in Heaven.

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alsaco2
alsaco2

Hi Zielinsky,
Thank you for your feedback and your very detailed comments on this hike, which will certainly be useful to many users. And sorry, nobody’s perfect (except you, I suppose)

  • doesn’t need translating; everyone will understand

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Zielinsky
Zielinsky
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

All in all, a pleasant walk, requiring moderate and fairly consistent physical effort, both on the descent (though quite challenging around point 8) and on the ascent. The continuity of the ‘Green Ring’ from the start to point 7 is a notable advantage. However, at point 4, given the variety of routes available, it would be useful to specify, in addition to ‘path’: ‘still on the Green Ring, initially a gentle climb and then skirting to the right...’.
The route features a very beautiful viewpoint (point 8).
But Alsaco2, please! Before using your funny mountain-biker’s gobbledygook “single track”, just think about WHOSE benefit you’re writing for. The average Visorando walker is perfectly happy with the traditional French word “sentier” – which, by the way, has always referred to walkers’ paths, not bikers’ tracks. And if you really want to be specific, just try “sentier étroit” – I reckon no one, except fundamentalist modernists, will blame you for sounding “old-fashioned”......
TRADO. :
But Alsaco2, please, before you use your out-of-place mountain biker jargon “single track”, do consider WHO is going to use your description. The average Visorando rambler will be perfectly happy with the familiar French word “sentier” – which, incidentally, has always referred to walkers’ paths, not cyclists’ tracks. And if you really want to be specific, why not go for “narrow path” – I don’t think anyone, except die-hard modernists, will accuse you of sounding “old-fashioned”......

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