Serva (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Rothaine walks

Hike to the Champ du Feu by climbing up the Serva

A very beautiful hike featuring two magnificent waterfalls (Andlau and Serva) and passing through Champ du Feu and Chaume des Veaux.The hike is accessible in all seasons. Most of it is in the forest, except for the section at the top of Champ du Feu. Magnificent in autumn and winter.I have rated the difficulty as "difficult" due to the elevation gain, but the hike does not present any technical difficulties.

Champ du Feu is the highest point in the Bas-Rhin at 1,099 m. At the summit, the viewing tower was erected in 1898 by the Club Vosgien. It is the symbol of Champ du Feu. There are many theories about the origin of the name Champ du Feu. It may derive from Vehfeld or ‘cattle field’, a corruption of the name Champ des Fées or Champ du Faîte (the summit), or even the charcoal burners’ fires...

A short hike with steep climbs, taking you to the Serva Waterfall, directly from the Champ du Feu. The trail runs alongside this pretty waterfall, which originates in the high pastures of the Champ du Feu, at an altitude of 1,000 metres. It then joins the Rothaine, a stream crossing the valley of the same name, 350 metres below, through the forest, until it reaches the Bruche.

Discover this accessible and charming route at Champ du Feu, in the heart of the Vosges. Covering 10.22 km, this moderate walk takes you through varied landscapes, combining lush forests, shaded paths and unobstructed views. You’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the plain – ideal for lovers of nature and tranquillity.

The Champ du Feu is one of the highest points in the Bas-Rhin at an altitude of 1,098 metres. As the only winter sports resort in the Bas-Rhin, the area is ideal for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing, and is an icon for all generations of Alsatians.This beautiful circular route, 70% of which is in woodland, is designed for walkers and, in snowy weather, for snowshoe hikers. It mainly follows marked trails and a few forest paths on groomed snow.Two striking rock formations, beautiful trees and lovely views can be found throughout this fairly varied route.There is a lovely shelter almost at the end of the route, as well as refreshment facilities at both ends.

This hike will take you through Ban-de-la-Roche, a place dear to Pastor Jean-Frédéric Oberlin, who served there for 60 years. The route will take you through magnificent landscapes, past a little-known castle (or what remains of it) and to the highest point in the Bas-Rhin.It is a fairly long hike with a significant elevation gain, classified as difficult, which I completed in about 7 hours of walking.