Father’s Day Trail in Geishouse

Access via the Thann valley, RD1066 (formerly RN66): in Moosch, at^{the second} junction with traffic lights (after the church), turn right onto the D13 bis, towards Geishouse. Drive through the village along the Grande Rue and take the Rue du Ballon, passing in front of the cemetery.
Hikers’ car park (Place Fernand Zumbiehl) at the very top of Geishouse, further up to the right after the cemetery.

(S/E) From the car park, head back down Rue du Ballon and turn right onto the track that starts just below the cemetery. Very soon, you’ll come to a Red Triangle-marked route. It climbs from the community hall, above the village’s town hall and school. Ignore the first path to the right of the Fitness Trail and continue up the Red Triangle-marked route; pay no heed to the next path, which is a farm track leading nowhere.

(1) Immediately after, take the hairpin bend to the right. Pass the fitness trail equipment – these are horizontal bars, station no. 18. Further stations follow until you reach a path, station no. 22.

(2) Leave the Fitness Trail and take a path climbing to the left, passing a water tank. The climb continues gently along this grassy path. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the circular trail that branches off to the left. Turn right and arrive in the middle of a meadow at a place called Bessay.

(3) Ignore the path coming from higher up on the left and continue to the right. This Father’s Day Trail is absolutely beautiful, lined with small moss-covered rock outcrops and trees. A little further on, there is a stone bench on the left, at the edge of the path; it offers a magnificent view over much of Geishouse. Then head into the forest and reach a crossroads.

(4) Head straight up a wide, unmarked, gravel-surfaced forest track suitable for vehicles. Continue to a junction just before the top of the climb.

(5) Take the small path on the right leading to the Abri du Faucon Crécerelle. There are picnic tables and a magnificent view, making it an ideal spot for a break.
To head back down, the path winds its way between the back of the shelter and the barbecue; it is unmarked, not shown on the TOP 25 map and has no signposts on the ground, but it is the only one. Join a road, now reserved for cyclists.

(6) Take the path on the right, which runs alongside the road, marked with a Blue Triangle. You’ll reach the point with an altitude of 899 on the TOP 25 map; note a barrier on the right. About ten metres further on, take the path on the left towards Geishouse (signposted and estimated at 30 mins). Follow the cycle path again and cross it to continue along the path on the other side. Arrive at the hamlet of Birbon, 822 m (former barbecue site) and join a farm track suitable for vehicles; follow it for about 50 m.

(7) The path continues to the left, across a pasture (close the gates behind you) and continues its descent, marked with a Blue Triangle, southwards to the large Langenbruch farm where the path ends.

(8) Continue along the small road and you will soon reach the car park (S/E).

Based on a suggested walk by LTD RANDO 68 (Pierre Brunner)

Several tables and benches at the hikers’ car park (start/finish)
Outdoor and indoor tables, barbecue and wood-burning stove at the Faucon Crécerelle shelter (just after point (5)).