Tour of the Murbach Valley

This hike, suitable for those with some hiking experience and/or good physical fitness, will allow you to discover the Murbach valley and its famous abbey, which exerted political, spiritual and cultural influence over a vast territory for over a thousand years. Along the way, you can enjoy several views of the abbey and the Murbach valley, as well as tables and benches where you can rest or have a picnic.

Details

45574426
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.66 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 678 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 676 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 974 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 427 m

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the abbey car park, with your back to it, turn left then right and go through the large gate at Murbach. Take the path on the right leading to the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Chapel. Below the chapel, take the Blue Triangle-marked path leading to the Hohrupf (813m). This path crosses two forest tracks and joins the Yellow Triangle-marked path coming from the Col du Schrangen. Follow it to the left to reach the Hohrupf junction. Climb up to the right then to the left and reach the summit.

(1) From Hohrupf, return to the junction marked with a Red Disc and take the path on the left, then the track that descends to the Col de Wolfsgrube or Fosse aux Loups (672m).

(2) Head straight along the track, then turn right onto a steep path marked with a Red Rectangle crossed by a white line, leading to the Ospenkopf and then to Lierserwasen (900m).

(3) From Lierserwasen, take the path marked with a Blue Cross on the left, continuing straight ahead and uphill to the Col de Judenhut (973m). Here you will find the Club Vosgien de Guebwiller shelter and the Schlumberger Fountain.

(4) From the pass, take the first track on the left towards Rocher Saint-Pirmin. Leave this track to take the second path on the left marked with a Red Rectangle crossed by a White Rectangle. Pass a junction on the right, leaving the ridge to rejoin it further on. Pass a descending path on the right and follow the Blue Triangle markings. Begin a winding descent and keep to the right of the track to reach Munsteraeckerlé (655m).

(5) Head to Murbach via the path marked with a Blue Disc, which branches off directly to the left. Then descend via a series of switchbacks, cross two tracks, cross the footbridge and head right to reach the abbey car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 427 m - Église abbatiale Saint-Léger (Murbach)
  2. 1 : km 2.71 - alt. 812 m - Hohrupf (813 mètres)
  3. 2 : km 4.76 - alt. 671 m - Col de Wolfsgrube (672m)
  4. 3 : km 6.45 - alt. 923 m - Lierserwasen
  5. 4 : km 7.96 - alt. 971 m - judenhut
  6. 5 : km 11.53 - alt. 657 m - Abri de Munsteraeckerle
  7. S/E : km 13.66 - alt. 427 m - Église abbatiale Saint-Léger (Murbach)

Notes

-Alternative route (2 hours - 6 km - 366 m elevation gain):
(4) From Lierserwasen, follow the red rectangle with a white cross to reach the Roedelen farmhouse inn (1190m) and then the Grand Ballon. From the Grand Ballon, head to the Col de Judenhut via the path to the right of the ‘Vue des Alpes’ viewpoint. You will rejoin the route described above.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
kristianbdr
kristianbdr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route, with plenty of shelter options... ideal for hiking in hot weather as it is mainly forest...
It's uphill, yes, but everyone knows their own walking abilities... take it slowly and you'll get there...
Lots of possible variations...

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Positiver68
Positiver68

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hiking with a group, a break at the Judenhut shelter with its picnic tables was most welcome.

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alsaco2
alsaco2

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Confirmation of previous reviews regarding the two climbs... but very doable at your own pace.
Magnificent abbey and chapel. Several beautiful viewpoints and shelters along the route.
Organised by the "Branquignols" (famous Alsatian hiking enthusiasts and epicureans) who unanimously enjoyed the loop.

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FCBayern
FCBayern

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Two beautiful steep climbs, one right at the start, the second after the Wolfsgrube.
The view from the Hohrupf is interesting
A beautiful hike, 95% in the shade

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Sylvie  Éliane
Sylvie Éliane

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk. The climbs are a bit steep but not too bad.
Lots of benches and tables, perfect for short breaks.
The only minor issue was at the Judenhutte, but otherwise the route was very well marked.

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roelly
roelly

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I just did this trail today. The directions are perfect, no problems. Beautiful view at the top of Hohrupt. Plus, beautiful sunshine at Judenhut where we stopped for a snack. There is quite a bit of elevation (600 m), but it's very doable if you take it at your own pace. Well done and thank you for this hike!
Don't forget to visit Murbach Abbey and the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto.

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