A circular walk starting from Merhbachel to the Saint-Nicolas Chapel

At the very end of the Altvogelbach valley, a network of paths and trails takes you from the Auberge du Mehrbächel to explore the mid-altitude forest as far as the picturesque Saint-Nicolas Chapel, tucked away in the woods.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.11 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 748 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 748 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,789 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,139 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: in Saint-Amarin, follow the signs towards Geishouse and the Auberge du Mehrbächel. A small road climbs towards the bottom of the valley. Car park reserved for guests of the hotel-restaurant-farm.
It is possible to park a little further down the road on the hard shoulder near the Auberge du Mehrbächel.

(S/E) From the Auberge du Mehrbächel, take the road and follow the first path on the left (Blue Ring markings) which climbs steeply across a meadow.

(1) At the top of the meadow, at the edge of the forest, follow the path on the right marked ‘unmarked’, which runs along the edge of the forest and then enters the woods towards the village of Geishouse.

(2) At the junction with the Geishouse road, follow the path on the left, marked with a Yellow Rectangle, which climbs towards the Col du Haag. Follow it to the foot of the Haberkopf, leave the Yellow Rectangle and take the path that descends to the left.

(3) Ignore the signs for Mehrbächel and continue straight on. The path crosses two forest tracks. At the third, follow the Red Ring to the right towards Saint-Nicolas Chapel.

(4) At Saint-Nicolas Chapel, retrace your steps slightly and rejoin the Red Ring, which descends to the right.

(5) Cross a small forest stream and go round a small valley before reaching a wide forest track.

(6) Follow this track to the left, descending for about 600 m, and don’t miss the footbridge branching off to the left towards the Mehrbächel.

(7) Follow the path as it climbs gently up to a pasture, then take the forest track branching off to the left, which leads back to the starting point with a stunning view.

(8) Continue along the path to the junction from the outward journey.

(1) Once back on the route taken on the way there, head down to the right and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,283 ft - Auberge du Mehrbächel - Panorama sur le vallon et l'Auberge du Mehrbachel
  2. 1 : mi 0.19 - alt. 2,388 ft - Edge of the forest
  3. 2 : mi 0.8 - alt. 2,536 ft - Yellow Rectangle
  4. 3 : mi 1.26 - alt. 2,789 ft - Haberkopf scree, remarkable view of Mitzach
  5. 4 : mi 1.64 - alt. 2,585 ft - Saint-Nicolas Chapel - Chapelle Saint-Nicolas (Saint-Amarin)
  6. 5 : mi 1.97 - alt. 2,388 ft - Stream, footbridge and old marker
  7. 6 : mi 2.17 - alt. 2,382 ft - Wide forest track
  8. 7 : mi 2.49 - alt. 2,139 ft - Footbridge and torrent
  9. 8 : mi 2.72 - alt. 2,277 ft - Panoramic view of the valley
  10. S/E : mi 3.11 - alt. 2,280 ft - Auberge du Mehrbächel - Panorama sur le vallon et l'Auberge du Mehrbachel

Notes

Worth a visit

At the junction with the Geishouse road, continue for about a hundred metres, cross the ridge to enjoy the superb view of the village and the Grand Ballon.

The little Saint-Nicolas Chapel, tucked away in the forest. You can go inside.

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