Reichackerkopf Historical Trail (1914–1918)

A walk through the painful history of the Vosges mountains, where numerous remains from the First World War can still be found.

Details

27402912
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.33 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 505 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 476 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,520 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,051 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking available at the Col du Sattel.

(S/E) With your back to the entrance to the holiday camp building, leave the return path on your left and set off along the steeply ascending path opposite. At the end, turn right and walk for about a hundred metres.

(1) Take the path on the left to explore an underground gallery. Then head for the pass between the Petit and the Grand Reichackerkopf.

(2) At the pass, take a short detour to the left (and back) to see a memorial to a soldier.

(2) On your return, head back towards the Col du Sattel, the starting point of the walk, via the track on the right, marked with a Blue Disc, to begin the second circular route. At the junction, just before the pass, turn right for a few metres.

(3) At the junction, turn right and take a pleasant forest track. Follow the Red Rectangle with a White Bar markings, which skirt the Reichackerkopf to the north. Cross a gully and reach a bunker.

(4) At the blockhouse, leave the Red Rectangle with a White Disc and take the path on the right which climbs up, quickly joining a wide path marked with a Blue Disc.

(5) Take this path straight ahead; it goes round the south side of the Reichackerkopf and rejoins the small pass between the Petit and the Grand Reichackerkopf.

(2) Continue along the track and return to the Col du Sattel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,415 ft - Col du Sattel (738m)
  2. 1 : mi 0.21 - alt. 2,464 ft - Junction
  3. 2 : mi 0.53 - alt. 2,434 ft - Pass between the Petit and Grand Reichackerkopf
  4. 3 : mi 0.88 - alt. 2,398 ft - Start of the 2nd circular loop
  5. 4 : mi 2.32 - alt. 2,051 ft - Junction and climb up the narrow path
  6. 5 : mi 2.51 - alt. 2,182 ft - Forest track
  7. S/E : mi 3.33 - alt. 2,415 ft - Col du Sattel

Notes

Worth a visit

There are numerous remains from the 1914–1918 war to explore: memorials, shelters, tunnels, blockhouses, memorial stones honouring soldiers, and trenches.

The Munster Valley Community of Communes has published a very detailed leaflet on the remains to be discovered along this trail.

Some views of the upper valley and the town of Munster.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Cath68
Cath68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant family walk with a really interesting historical angle on our region!!!! You can see bunkers, trenches and memorials from the First World War.
The first climb looks steep from a distance but isn’t too long, so it’s manageable even for beginner walkers like us.
We really enjoyed it.

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Yves JOZEFIAK
Yves JOZEFIAK

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A mountain and forest walk focusing on the history of the First World War. A few remains are still visible along this sometimes winding route. You can find out more by scanning the QR codes placed next to the bunkers and other casemates...

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gaellevalentin
gaellevalentin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A walk taken on a lovely sunny day.

The route is steeped in history and fascinating… We learnt a lot about the war – ideal for teenagers!

Watch out for ticks!

Go via Soultzeren to climb up to the Col du Sattel – it’s much easier.

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escargots70
escargots70

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We found it very difficult to follow the order of the waypoints, as our internet connection was very unreliable. We managed to do almost everything, but in a complete jumble. We’re with SFR.

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