Tour du Taennchel starting from Schelmenkopf

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This is a 12-kilometre hike that takes you to most of the interesting rocks in the magical Taennchel area.

Start from 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 towards Grande Verrerie. Please note that this is inaccessible in winter as the road is unpaved.

Addendum dated 17 June 2025: storms have badly damaged the unpaved road from the bottom of the Grande Verrerie to Schelmenkopf. It is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles or those that can handle rough terrain.

Details

n°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
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Photos

View of the Ste Marie aux Mines valley
The Club Vosgien refuge in Ribeauvillé at Schelmenkopf
The Kutzig Buech refuge
The reptile rock up close

Description of the walk

The start is near the Club Vosgien refuge at Schelmenkopf, where you can park.

(S/E) Take the path behind the refuge, following the blue cross markers. The path climbs quite steeply, winding its way up.

(1) When you reach a road, turn opposite. Walk to the next crossroads.

(2) At the crossroads, leave the blue cross route and take the yellow rectangle marked trail on the right. Pass the Trois Tables site. Continue walking to the Kutzigbuech shelter, where you can take a break.

(3) From the shelter, head towards the Rocher des Géants (Giants' Rock) following the yellow rectangular markers and red rings. Just after the Kutzigbuech shelter is Rammelfels, a viewpoint. Then pass successively by the Rocher des Reptiles (Reptiles' Rock), the Rocher de la Petite Fée (Little Fairy Rock) and finally the Rocher des Géants (Giants' Rock).

(4) From the Giants' Rock, follow the yellow triangular markers towards the Rock of Peace of Udine. When you reach a fork, keep heading towards the Rock of Peace of Udine, following the red ring markers. From here to the Rock of Peace of Udine, follow the wall known as the Païen.

(5) At the Rocher de la Paix d'Udine, you will have a magnificent view of the Rhine plain. Then take the path that leads back downhill, following the red ring markers to the Abri du Taennchel (Hasenclever crossroads).

(6) From the Hasenclever crossroads, follow the path marked with blue triangles, which will take 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 carriage road
  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 36 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
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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virgule
virgule

Hello,

the refuge is indeed very nice. They offer Météor in 75cl returnable bottles. A real treat after a hike when it's hot.

The climb from the valley is on an unpaved road, which is best avoided in winter. I often leave my car in the small car park at the bottom of the Grande Verrerie.

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lolo46
lolo46

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 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, varied route offering magnificent views. What peace and quiet at the Club Vosgien refuge, run by very friendly volunteers! Access by car is a little tricky

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virgule
virgule

It really is a magical place. Personally, I only enjoy it fully outside the tourist season, when the weather is wet or threatening. Otherwise, I find it too crowded.

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