Tour of the Gentiane and Tremontkopf

This pretty route through meadows and woods is not difficult and the elevation gain is very moderate. It is a family walk suitable for young children. It offers some beautiful views and allows you to discover the grassy slopes of Gentiane, Wissgrut and Tremontkopf, as well as little-used forest paths.

Details

2181412
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.99 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 149 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 151 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,123 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,025 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is at the car park of the Gentiane ski resort, which can be reached via the Ballon d'Alsace road from Lepuix or Sewen. It is the small car park on the right (from Lepuix) at the end of the access road to the resort, just before the terminal roundabout. If it is full, there are other parking spaces on the main road.

(S/E) Walk to the end of the car park opposite the road and look for a little-used grassy path on the left that goes up into the woods. Try to stay parallel to the ski lift that you can see at the edge of the forest on the left. Cross a slightly open area at the end of a second ski lift on your left and continue climbing towards the large Plain de la Gentiane plateau.

(1) The Plain de la Gentiane is a large plateau. Cross it lengthwise, following a fence on your right. At the end of the plateau, descend straight down through meadows and woods. The path disappears, but the main trail below is clearly visible. Join it at the end of the woods and follow it through the gate (marked with a red rectangleGR®5).

(2) Reach the flat summit of Wissgrut and its statue of the Virgin Mary. To do this, leave the marked trail and take the well-marked and easy, though slightly steep, path that climbs to the left towards the summit. Note the remains of the trenches from 1914-18. Magnificent 360° panorama. Picnic table. After the summit, continue straight south on the obvious path that leads from the Virgin Mary statue towards the farmhouse inn.

(3) After passing the farmhouse inn, head back up towards Tremontkopf, following the red rectangle markings. You will arrive at the summit of Tremontkopf, a pleasant place to picnic and take a break in the shade of the old beech trees. Then continue along the same marked path and descend on the other side of the summit.

(4) Take the unmarked path that turns right. Be careful not to miss it! Continue along this pretty path with very little elevation change, which offers a lovely forest atmosphere.

(5) At the Gros Hêtre crossroads, turn right onto theGR®5and follow it briefly towards Wissgrut.

(6) Leave theGR®5at the first crossroads with a path leading off to the left. Follow this forest path, which is unmarked at the start but well traced, to the starting point. The final section is marked with a blue triangle. Return to the car park at the Gentiane ski resort (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,054 m - Car park at the Gentiane ski resort
  2. 1 : km 0.48 - alt. 1,105 m - Plain de la Gentiane
  3. 2 : km 1.35 - alt. 1,123 m - Summit of Wissgrut and statue of the Virgin Mary - Wissgrut
  4. 3 : km 2.38 - alt. 1,092 m - Summit of Tremontkopf
  5. 4 : km 2.71 - alt. 1,029 m - Fork in the road on an unmarked path
  6. 5 : km 3.56 - alt. 1,044 m - Gros Hêtre crossroads
  7. 6 : km 3.68 - alt. 1,050 m - Fork in the road on an unmarked path
  8. S/E : km 5.99 - alt. 1,054 m - Car park at the Gentiane ski resort

Notes

There are no drinking fountains along the route.
In winter, the car park is very busy with skiers, so avoid weekends.
This is a magnificent walk in autumn, especially if the plain is foggy, which is quite common and guarantees sunshine above a sea of clouds and views of the Alps on the horizon.
Please note:

  • watch out for cows in summer, especially if there are calves, as they are often difficult Salers cattle.
  • don't miss the point (4)... be particularly careful!

From the fork (6), there may be a slight risk of taking the wrong path as there are a few crossroads, but at worst you can take a track that joins the Marcel Tassion path, which leads back to the car park, adding only about fifteen minutes to the route.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Nine 68
Nine 68
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Looking for a bit of fresh air... We did it in the opposite direction. Beautiful views from the Tremontkopf. Short stop at the Wissgrut inn for a delicious blueberry tart. A little caution is required if you do the circuit in the opposite direction.

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kiki doren
kiki doren

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this route in reverse, first passing by the old Gentiane refuge, then the big beech tree and the Tremonkopf, before having lunch at the Wisgruth farmhouse inn (very good)
Magnificent panorama of the peaks above the sea of clouds. The route allowed us to admire other peaks through the leafless branches.
Easy hike.

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Mot laid
Mot laid

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike in beautiful countryside.
Wanting to have lunch at the Wissgrut farmhouse inn, we decided to reverse the route.
Allow 1½ hours to reach the Tremontkopf and the farmhouse inn below.
After lunch (excellent food and generous portions, perfect service), there is a 30-minute descent... perfect for digestion.
The "reverse" signposting requires a little attention. A GPS is useful to confirm that you are on the right route.

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randokarine
randokarine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, fairly easy and enjoyable walk with a clear view of the Wissgrut and its magnificent scenery. The return journey is in the shade on beautiful forest paths. At point 4, we made a quick detour (10-15 minutes there and back) to the Roches du Serpent and its lovely view.

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Dilou68
Dilou68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with a gradual incline, which is ideal for my level as I have been inactive for many years and wish to gradually resume walking. Magnificent views from the Wissgrut. The hike is well marked and the paths are easy to follow.

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lpalluel
lpalluel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, with stunning views and varied scenery, including mountain landscapes and shaded forest paths lined with magnificent beech trees. We downloaded the map onto our mobile phone and had no particular difficulties, so we were able to enjoy this magnificent springtime nature in complete peace. Thank you for suggesting this hike. A "family-friendly" walk that takes you away from it all, ideal for getting your legs moving.

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Nadine05
Nadine05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, we pushed on to the Chantoiseau refuge and then to the Roche du Serpent
Shortly after setting off from La Vierge, the view is superb
The food is good at the farmhouse inn, and the welcome is very warm
A beautiful day to be repeated.

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Papinouxe
Papinouxe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We pushed on to the Serpent Rock, then climbed back up to the Chantoiseau Pass, which significantly changed the elevation gain , but we have no regrets...

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francoisg90
francoisg90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with a very good farmhouse inn! It's true that in some places, the Visorando app is very useful. At point 4, don't miss the fork to the right. And between point 6 and the finish, at a three-way junction, I would have taken the wrong path. Thank you to JFGHA for this enjoyable experience.

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JFGHA
JFGHA
• Edited:

thank you for this positive review of this beautiful corner of the Vosges! When you know the mountains well, you can find quite a few routes in open spaces, but you have to admit that the forest is omnipresent... which also has its charm and enhances the appeal of the viewpoints!

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JJ VERNIER
JJ VERNIER
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

More accustomed to walks in the Jura mountains, I admit that I sometimes find hiking in the Vosges difficult, as it often takes place in forests. But this route is great, with 6 kilometres of open terrain and superb views. It's a great walk to get back into shape at the start of the season, and I highly recommend it as it's easy and very pleasant.

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Itee
Itee
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route for families (with a 3-year-old child). An easy route. The first part is open with magnificent views, while the second part is entirely in the forest (ideal if it is hot). No problems at point 4 as we had a GPS

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fmau74
fmau74
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant short walk. Be careful at point 4. The unmarked path is at the bottom of a small descent, so be careful not to get "carried away" on the GR.

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chatelet
chatelet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The start of the route to the Wissgrut farm is now the same as described in the guidebook. The GR 5 has moved from the stony path to the route described in the guidebook, which is much more pleasant. Otherwise, it is a very beautiful route with lovely views

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Also13
Also13
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike!
At point 4, I missed the fork in the road, which meant I had to make a 2 km detour and climb and descend about 100 metres each.
I will do it again and pay more attention at that spot.

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