An original route to get to Lac du Grand Ballon avoiding the road. You will discover beautiful trees, a waterfall and views over the Petit Ballon and the Black Forest along the way.
Calculated time: 3h20[?] 
Distance : 8.61km
Vertical gain : 310m
Vertical drop : 305m
Highest point : 1017m
Lowest point : 771m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Areas : Vosges mountains, Florival / Vallée de la Lauch / Guebwiller 
Location : Lautenbachzell
(68610)
Starting point : N 47.923182° / E 7.118343° Park your car in the Schutzle car park down the paved forest road of the same name leading to Lautenbachzell. The GPS position of the start of car park is 47°55'24.20"N,7° 7'6.03"E. From the village centre, continue on Grand Rue towards Sengern to find the path that climbs steeply to Schutzle on the left (a sign indicates the direction of Gustiberg). Follow this road to the car park 3 km away. The paved road ends here (S).
Follow signs for Gustiberg. After a 90° turn to the right and crossing a stream, a small well-marked trail heads up steeply to the left (1). Take it to the Gustiberg colony, then on to the farmhouse (2). You then come to stubble and the forest road. Follow it to the Lac du Grand Ballon (well signposted) (3).
On the way back, return to the Gustiberg farmhouse and inn and continue on the forest road on the right, following the Blue Crosses. It goes down a bit at first and becomes flat after a fork that you pass on your left (at a picnic table) (4). Continue to the Kletterbach waterfall at the first rapids you come across (5).
One hundred metres before the waterfall (retrace your steps), a path starts on the left and winds down. Take this and head down to the forest road where you turn right to reach your starting point. Along the trail, you can see the lower waterfall.
Hope you enjoy this walk in Lautenbachzell.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 772m
1 : km 1.07 - alt. 831m - Intersection. Take the left path.
2 : km 1.82 - alt. 973m - Auberge du Gustiberg
3 : km 3.47 - alt. 1008m - Lac du Grand Ballon
4 : km 5.53 - alt. 945m - Fork. Continue straight ahead.
5 : km 6.59 - alt. 950m - Kletterbach waterfall. - Klettenbach
D/A : km 8.61 - alt. 773m
This is a well-trodden route, even if the path back after the waterfall is not very busy and not necessarily very visible. For this part, I recommend proper walking shoes.
If the weather has been below freezing for a while the waterfall may freeze and is definitely worth a look!
You can stop at the Gustiberg farmhouse and inn for a drink or food (outside of summer and weekends, remember to warn them of your arrival).
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.33/5
Number of opinions : 2
Clarity of route description : 4/5
Clarity of route map : 4.5/5
Walk interest : 4.5/5
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 27/08/18
Clarity of route description
: Good
Clarity of route map
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
We walked this hike, but changed it a bit. When at the lake, it is nice to go (couterclockwise) around the lake and follow the Col du Haag. After about 1 km, turn right and you can take a higher route to Gustiberg.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 08/09/16
Clarity of route description
: Good
Clarity of route map
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Couldn't actually find car park indicated from coordinates, drove along a tiny degrading road with a precipitous drop on one side! took us to Lac du Grand Ballon, fine - walked from there to Grand Ballon following signs instead - good walk! (much up).
4.37km
+157m
-160m
1h40
Easy
Starting point in Guebwiller - 68 - Haut-Rhin This walk visits Guebwiller woodlands. While walking, enjoy different very nice spots ideals to take pictures and learn about various vegetal species (indicated by numbers). This walk is very nice to keep fresh in summer times. However, be careful when raining, it can be quite slippery!
10.67km
+549m
-547m
4h35
Moderate
Starting point in Stosswihr - 68 - Haut-Rhin Observe the chamois in the Wormspel, soak your feet in the clear waters of lake Schiessrothried and appreciate the beauty of the Frankenthal-Missheimle nature reserve. And, if possible, stop at a farm-guesthouse for an excellent day!
As a variation of this hike, go via the Col de Falimont, where you can find practical information.
14.93km
+565m
-567m
5h55
Moderate
Starting point in La Bresse - 88 - Vosges Start and finish at the Col de Bramont.
This route will let you discover the Lac des Corbeaux from the Belvédère de la Roche du Lac 200m above it.
The view is stunning and its the perfect place for a snack!
A trail takes you down to the lake. It doesn't cross the embankment, but takes you round the lake on a pleasant, shady trail.
Return to the Col de Bramont via the Étang de Sèchemer.
A very beautiful circuit that's not too difficult, although very steep.
9.92km
+625m
-626m
4h35
Moderate
Starting point in Rimbach-près-Masevaux - 68 - Haut-Rhin This walk takes you to the Lac des Perches ; a lake that nestles at the bottom of a very steep-sided cirque. Then the path leads you on to a stubble field where there is a very beautiful view over the valley of the Doller and even of the Alps when the sky is clear.
13.95km
+766m
-766m
6h10
Difficult
Starting point in Le Valtin - 88 - Vosges Start at the Col de la Schlucht car park...
A very athletic outing. Good equipment and good physical condition are recommended!
4.52km
+226m
-225m
1h55
Easy
Starting point in La Bresse - 88 - Vosges A pretty little walk with a beautiful viewpoint over Lac des Corbeaux, where you may like to take a dip.
8.05km
+421m
-421m
3h30
Easy
Starting point in Rimbach-près-Masevaux - 68 - Haut-Rhin In the Doller valley, this walk will let you discover the lakes of Neuweiher and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Vosges. It's an easy walk and accessible to anyone.
4.26km
+22m
-20m
1h15
Easy
Starting point in Michelbach - 68 - Haut-Rhin A circular walk around Michelbach dam with views over the Swiss Alps and 'Le Grand Ballon d'Alsace' on a clear day. Perfect spot for wildlife spotting. Along the way there are many signs giving some information about what to see and the history.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
