Mérelle peak and waterfall

The Tête de Mérelle offers a magnificent view of the lake and the town of Gérardmer from its belvedere at the top of the tower. The small Mérelle waterfall, hidden among moss-covered rocks, is well worth a visit.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 768 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 768 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,940 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,165 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park located at the Henri Millan Stadium, 17 Chemin du Tour du Lac.

(S/E) Take Chemin des Rochottes, to the right of the stadium entrance, then take the second path on the right. Follow it to the hairpin bend in the forest road.

(1) Ignore this bend, as well as the track on the right, and continue on the path that starts to the left of the latter. Climb straight ahead and reach a forest path at the end of the forest road.

(2) Take it to the right and reach the Tête de Mérelle with its tower.

(3) Climb the 85 steps to enjoy the view and, after taking in the surroundings, return to the forest road.

(2) Follow it for about 150 metres and take the path downhill to the right. After going around the Haut Mérelle hill in a wide curve to the left, you will reach the forest road again at a cross.

(4) Follow the road to the right, walk along the Haut de Mérelle bog on your left and you will reach a multiple junction.

(5) Descend the path on the right and keep right at the next fork. The path becomes steeper, with stones that can be slippery on the descent, and follows the stream to the waterfall.

(6) Continue downhill and, after crossing two footbridges, you will reach a road (D69).

(7) Cross it (take care) and continue to the right on the access road to the restaurant, along the edge of Lake Gérardmer.

(8) Continue to the right on the wooden walkway along the edge of the lake. Continue along the stony, uneven path that leads into the woods and runs alongside a fence, then continue along a path until you reach the car park at the edge of the D69 (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,172 ft - Car park, Chemin du Tour du Lac - Lac de Gérardmer
  2. 1 : mi 0.36 - alt. 2,497 ft - Forest road
  3. 2 : mi 0.68 - alt. 2,881 ft - Forest path, fork in the road (return trip)
  4. 3 : mi 0.77 - alt. 2,940 ft - Tête de Mérelle
  5. 4 : mi 1.39 - alt. 2,851 ft - Forest road. Towards the - Tourbière du Haut de Mérelle (Gérardmer)
  6. 5 : mi 1.59 - alt. 2,822 ft - Multiple crossroads
  7. 6 : mi 1.85 - alt. 2,625 ft - Cascade de Mérelle
  8. 7 : mi 2.3 - alt. 2,205 ft - Road (D69)
  9. 8 : mi 2.44 - alt. 2,169 ft - Boardwalk trail
  10. S/E : mi 3.06 - alt. 2,172 ft - Car park, Chemin du Tour du Lac

Notes

This hike is classified as "moderate" difficulty, as the trails used are quite difficult in places, with slippery rocks. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
2.7 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 29503853

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really technical hike for us as beginners, with very stony paths full of roots (especially at the start and on the way to the waterfall); it wasn’t always easy to follow or know which way to go, but overall it was well signposted (even on Google Maps). I imagine it would be very tricky in wet weather, as it was already often slippery and very steep. However, it took us much longer than 2 hours and 5 minutes – more than double that – partly because we had to be careful not to slip, but also to enjoy the tower (you have to queue if it’s busy as only 4 people are allowed up at a time) and the waterfall (where you can have a very refreshing shower 🚿). You can take your dog along (you’ll come across a few) 🐶!

But honestly, it’s well worth the effort – the path is magnificent (you walk through the forest, but not only that), even in the heat, as you’re often in the shade and as soon as you start climbing you feel the breeze ☀️ It wasn’t very busy when we went at the end of May (we passed one person every 15 minutes or so).

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User 11055796

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The start of the uphill hike is quite technical.
After point 1, ongoing tree felling meant it was not possible to reach points 2 and 3.
On reaching point 4, it is possible to follow the road leading to point 3 (Tête de Merelle).
The descent along the Ruisseau de la Merelle is quite technical, with stones sometimes covered in water.

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User 27947628

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Paths that are sometimes dangerous and slippery

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