Markstein Circuit from the Refuge des Vosges Trotters, Mulhouse

(S/E) Start at the Refuge des Vosges Trotters Mulhouse, by the roadside on the right, about 600 m before Markstein; there is a car park just before it on the left-hand side of the road. At the Fork in the road, head to the right of the building and continue uphill past three junctions before turning right onto the road (D430).

(1) Follow it to the right until you reach a junction.

(2) Continue straight on along the D430 until you reach the centre of the resort.

(3) Turn immediately left after the main building, then keep left. At the next Fork in the road, continue straight ahead.

(4) At the junction, keep straight ahead until you reach the fourth Fork in the road.

(5) Head up to the right towards the ridge, then keep to the left along the ridge to reach the Trehkopf.

(6) Turn left. At the star-shaped junction, take the second path on the right to reach a track. Follow it to the right, go through the gate and head straight on at the Fork in the road. Continue straight on until you reach the Route des Crêtes.

(7) Cross with care, take the road straight ahead and follow it to the Steinlebach farmhouse inn.

(8) Go round it on the right to continue to the Col d’Oberlauchen. Just past the farm, take the middle path and follow it to the stream.

(9) Stay on the track, then follow it to the right until you reach an open four-way junction.

(10) Turn left onto the path leading up to the Col d’Oberlauchen, where there is a memorial stone from the former Franco-American cemetery.

(11) Turn left onto the track towards the Col du Breitfirst.

(12) First turn left then right, and carry on straight ahead past the Hahnenbrunnen mountain hut.

(13) Walk back a few metres and head towards the road. Immediately turn left onto the GR®5 to reach the D27.

(14) Cross it carefully and continue straight on. Then keep going straight until you reach the junction you passed on the way out on the Route des Crêtes.

(7) Cross the D430, again taking care, and head straight on along a path above the road. After a left-hand bend, turn right onto a path towards the Jungfrauenkopf, above the summer toboggan runs.

(15) Go round the toboggan runs on the right and continue straight ahead to the junction from the outward journey.

(4) Head straight on, then keep left on the road (D430).

(2) First turn right then left and continue along the D430 to the original junction.

(1) Leave the road and follow it on the left, then continue straight ahead to the refuge (S/E).

Markstein Ski Resort.