Tour du Taennchel starting from Schelmenkopf

This is a hike of around twelve kilometres that allows you to see most of the interesting rock formations in the magical setting of the Taennchel.

The walk starts at the Club Vosgien chalet at Schelmenkopf, above Ribeauvillé. To get there from Ribeauvillé, take the road to Aubure, then at the hamlet of ‘La Pépinière’, turn off towards La Grande Verrerie. Please note: this route is inaccessible in winter as the path is unpaved.

Details

313509
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 313 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 314 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 970 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 702 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is near the Club Vosgien refuge at Schelmenkopf, where you can park. The car park is normally reserved for chalet guests, but you can park there if you buy a drink. Otherwise, you can park before the car park entrance.

(S/E) Take the path that starts behind the refuge, following the Blue Cross markings. The path climbs quite steeply, winding its way up.

(1) When you reach a track, head straight ahead. Walk to the next junction.

(2) At the junction, leave the Blue Cross route and turn right onto the path marked with Yellow Rectangles. You pass the Trois Tables site. You then walk to the Kutzigbuech shelter, where you can take a break.

(3) From the shelter, head towards the Rocher des Géants, following the Yellow Rectangle and Red Ring markings. Just past the Kutzigbuech shelter is Rammelfels, a viewpoint. You then pass successively by the Rocher des Reptiles, the Rocher de la Petite Fée and finally the Rocher des Géants.

(4) From the Rocher des Géants, follow the Yellow Triangles towards the Rocher de la Paix d’Udine. When you reach a fork, continue towards the Rocher de la Paix d’Udine, following the Red Rings. From here to the Rocher de la Paix d’Udine, follow the so-called Païen Wall.

(5) At the Rocher de la Paix d'Udine, there is a magnificent view over the Rhine plain. Then take the path leading back down, following the Red Ring markers, to the Abri du Taennchel (Hasenclever junction).

(6) From the Hasenclever crossroads, follow the path marked with Blue Triangles, which takes you back to the Schelmenkopf Refuge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 757 m - Chalet du Schelmenkopf
  2. 1 : km 1.09 - alt. 917 m - Crossing a track suitable for vehicles
  3. 2 : km 1.82 - alt. 963 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.09 - alt. 948 m - Abri Kutzig Buech
  5. 4 : km 3.02 - alt. 936 m - Rocher des Géants
  6. 5 : km 5.36 - alt. 901 m - Rocher de la Paix d'Udine
  7. 6 : km 7.65 - alt. 710 m - Abri du Taennchel (Hasenclever)
  8. S/E : km 12.01 - alt. 756 m - Schelmenkopf refuge

Notes

Please note that the hike is advertised as taking 4 hours, as it is around 12 km long. In reality, as you will want to stop at every rock, it will take considerably longer. Set off early if you want to finish before nightfall.

Take water with you as there is none available along the route. Do not do the circuit in reverse as it is more difficult and you may get lost. In the Taennchel, it is forbidden to take unmarked paths. Dogs must be kept on a lead.

To reach the starting point from Ribeauvillé, take the road to Aubure, then at the hamlet of La Pépinière, turn right towards La Grande Verrerie. Then follow Schelmenkopf, Club Vosgien refuge (a few kilometres of unpaved road, to be avoided in snowy weather). Do not follow GPS.

Worth a visit

On arrival, you can enjoy a drink at the Club Vosgien refuge (weekends in season and all week in summer)

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 37 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
virgule
virgule
• Edited:

Hello, thank you for your review.

I’ve updated the description. The management has indeed put up a sign reserving their car park for chalet guests. As I only go there out of season and on weekdays to have some peace and quiet, I’ve never been inconvenienced by this restriction.

You can park before the entrance to the chalet car park. The forest is vast. Unless you’re coming with lots of cars.

The Club Vosgien chalet is a real bonus on this route. The welcome there is very friendly and the drinks are very reasonably priced.

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User 12350694

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note: there is no car park at the starting point.
Thanks to the volunteers from the Vosges Club who agreed to let us use the car park at their chalet in exchange for buying a drink on our return, which was very welcome before setting off again.

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virgule
virgule

Part of the route has been repaired today: the path is passable again.

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User 25017135

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The autumn weather on this Sunday in August was perfect for this beautiful route! The elevation gain is very pleasant as it is steady for the first 500 metres, and the descent is also gentle despite a few steeper slopes. There was hardly anyone else on the route and we only came across a few groups near the rocks. Thank you for sharing!

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virgule
virgule
• Edited:

Hello,

I did this route again last week. The unpaved road from the Grande Verrerie car park to Schelmenkopf is in poor condition following heavy storms. I would advise against using it in a standard car.

It is possible to walk up this path, but it is a long way. You can also get there from the centre of Grande Verrerie by turning left in front of the old Taennchel inn.

In the morning during the week, it's very quiet; I didn't see anyone on the rocks.

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virgule
virgule

Thank you for your review.

If you appreciate peace and quiet, it's best to avoid weekends.

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Nathalie et Francis
Nathalie et Francis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike with no particular difficulties, but you need to wear good walking shoes.
The trail is busier, especially around the various rocks, but this isn't a problem.
Some lovely views. Good for families.
Highly recommended

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A nice warm-up on the first kilometre, very pleasant up to point 6, then more monotonous but generally recommended. Not many views but this is compensated by the section along the pagan wall with all its beautiful rocks. Quite busy from points 2 to 5, the most interesting section.

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Rosymin
Rosymin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb route, well signposted. View of the Rhine plain and magnificent castles. Very quiet when we did it.

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virgule
virgule

Thank you for your comments.

You can go up there a hundred times, and it will never be the same.

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jeanico
jeanico

A very beautiful hike, worth repeating:

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Bruno670
Bruno670

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A great hike to discover surprising landscapes and sites

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MCVR13
MCVR13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello Virgule,
We finished our trip to Alsace with this tour of the Taennchel, which was a great addition to our other hikes.
At this time of year, there were no particular difficulties in reaching the refuge and then following the peaceful route along the rocks.
Thank you for sharing.

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jeanico
jeanico

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, worth repeating

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jcrun974
jcrun974

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a pleasant Vosges club refuge for a short break, although access by car is a little difficult on the last stretch after the car park.
the climb is easier than from Thannenkirch.

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