A loop around Kastelberg via Wormsawald

Fontaine de la Duchesse car park.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path that climbs towards the ridge, then continue straight ahead through the stubble to reach the Sentier des Névés.

(1) At the Sentier des Névés (yellow cross signpost), turn left to follow the line of cliffs as closely as possible and enjoy the beautiful views of the Wormsawald.

(2) At the Col du Wormspel, turn right down the fairly steep descent towards Lac de Schissrothried (marked with a blue triangle).

(3) At the fork, do not descend to Lac de Schiessrothried (unless you want to take a detour and add a few dozen metres of elevation gain...) but climb back up to the^GR®®531towards Kerbholz (blue rectangle). This section of the trail is difficult in places (metal steps, handrails, scree...) and should only be attempted if you are used to this type of terrain.

Take a detour to the Spitzkopf viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views of the Mittlach valley and the small lake of Fischboedele.

(4) Return to the main path and continue towards Kerbholz.

(5) At the Kerbholz hut, there is a lovely view of Alsace, the Vosges peaks and the Black Forest in the distance. The pretty alpine hut is private and cannot be used as a shelter. Follow the path (blue rectangle) towards Kastelberg. The start is not very easy to see, so you will need to retrace your steps a little to take the path that climbs into the forest behind the building.

(6) Reach the Kastelberg farmhouse inn by crossing a beautiful thatched field, then continue towards Firstmiss or Ferschmuss, depending on the spelling (blue rectangle), on the large white path leading to the farmhouse inn.

(7) At the fork, take the path (Blue Rectangle and^GR®®531) that descends to the left and continue towards Firstmiss (Ferschmuss).

(8) At the junction with the^GR®®5, continue downhill towards Rainkopf. You will pass a refuge on your right, which is open at certain times of the year.

(9) At the small pass of Rainkopf, descend towards the Route des Crêtes, cross it and continue on the other side, first following the blue triangle then the yellow disc, on the path parallel to the Route des Crêtes.

(10) Take the wide unmarked green path on your right to avoid descending to elevation 1092 (which would require you to climb back up again). This forest path actually continues after the loop visible on the map. It will take you directly to the Lac de Blanchemer road, which you will follow to the right. This is the only unpleasant paved section of the route.

(11) At the sharp bend, where the road joins the Lac de la Lande road, head towards the lake and you will find a path a few metres further on that climbs up to the right towards the Schmargult inn. At the farm, take the access road again, which will take you to the Route des Crêtes. Follow the Route des Crêtes on the left towards Hohneck.

(12) Turn right onto the access road to Hohneck for about 100 metres, then turn right again into the stubble field and continue to the Col de Wormspel.

(2) At the Col du Wormspel, take the path on the right (red-white-red rectangle) which follows the edge of the pasture (there are numerous orange signs warning of the danger of the cliffs in winter). Turn right onto the path you took on the way up to return to the Fontaine de la Duchesse car park (S/E).

Several farmhouse inns along the route.
Several options for extending the route or shortening it in case of uncertain weather.

Avoid this route in rainy weather and do not attempt it in snow or icy conditions due to difficult sections that could be extremely dangerous.

IBP rating = 64