Vallée de la Doller / Masevaux walks

In the Doller valley, this walk will let you discover the lakes of Neuweiher and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Vosges. It's an easy walk and accessible to anyone.

This short hike offers breathtaking views of the Col des Perches and the lake of the same name, Sternsee. A bench and a small table above the scree overlooking the lake are ideal for a snack break while admiring the landscape. At the Grand Neuweiher lake, stop at the refuge inn to quench your thirst before heading back to Rimbach. Moderator's note: the Blue Disc trail between (6) and Ermensbach is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Horse trail (Steinweg).

A peaceful hike that will take you to Sewen Lake and its peat bogs, then to Alfeld Lake, which is very different with its dam. The path is flat until you reach the foot of the dam, then climbs a little.

This hike will take you to the Source de la Doller, which, contrary to what you might think, does not originate at the Ballon d'Alsace, but below the Schlumpf. During the hike, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Doller valley and have the opportunity to eat at one of the farmhouse inns along the route.

This walk takes you to the Lac des Perches ; a lake that nestles at the bottom of a very steep-sided cirque. Then the path leads you on to a stubble field where there is a very beautiful view over the valley of the Doller and even of the Alps when the sky is clear.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doller Valley and the Ballon d'Alsace on a former volcanic massif.

Along the banks of the Doller and then the Wagenstall waterfalls, reach the peaceful stubble fields of the narrow Grand Langenberg valley near an authentic farmhouse inn. Then descend to the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace towards the impressive glacial basin of Lake Alfeld, which dominates the Doller valley. Finally, return along the tumultuous Seebach, which calms down in a wet and marshy meadow, before dying in the peat bogs of Lake Sewen. Please note that theGR®®531is sometimes obstructed (forestry work, overgrown vegetation, fallen trees, etc.) and maintenance is sometimes delayed. In this case, take the Fennematt path along the left bank of the Doller (marked with triangles and red trestles) and rejoin the route at point (1) or point (3).

Enjoy the hike! It's not very long, but there's quite a bit of elevation gain. The first part is quite steep, but the trails are pleasant

This is a beautiful hike offering views of and above the lakes. You will feel cool as most of the hike takes place in the forest (open areas: downstream from the Baerenbach farmhouse inn, the same for the Gresson moyen and the Haute Bers).

The summit peaks of the Vosges are always a delight for hikers because of the magnificent views they offer. Those of the Wissgrut (or Wisskritt) between the Belfort gap and the Masevaux valley are remarkable. You will reach them via the beautiful Wagenstall waterfalls and continue along the ridge and the upper Fennematt valley, where the Doller river has its source, and its beautiful panoramic trail.

This hike passes by the small Lachtelweiher lake, which nestles peacefully at an altitude of 740 metres. The route passes numerous authentic farm inns, alternates between forests and stubble fields, climbs passes and peaks with panoramic views, and ventures close to the source of the Doller.

This is a beautiful, fairly challenging route that will take you to Sternsee (Perch Lake), the Neuweiher lakes through the forest and stubble fields, then to the Col des Charbonniers before returning to Rouge-Gazon. You will be able to admire the view of the Alsace plain and the Alps on several occasions when the weather is fine.

This beautiful hike takes you from Masevaux to the summit of Rossberg at an altitude of 1,191 metres. From the top, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Vosges, the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, the Jura and the Alps. The elevation gain is significant, but the route is otherwise easy.

Discover the Roches de Morteville, Lake Sewen and Lake Alfeld, the large rock, the statue of Joan of Arc and the waterfalls. A hike bordering on the (very) difficult. GPX track strongly recommended. Route between (5) and (7) updated on 13 May 2025

From Niederbruck to Bruckenwald: go via the trail and return via the path.

From the top of the rocky promontory of Eichstein, the Virgin of Alsace watches over Niederbruck and the Doller Valley. Access to the Virgin is only possible on foot via a medium-difficulty hiking trail.

This hike takes us to one of the highest lakes in the Vosges, Lac des Perches. Access via the Col de Rimbach makes it a fairly strenuous hike as the climb is steep. But the view over the valleys is magnificent and, in my opinion, the lake is one of the most beautiful in the massif. As it is only accessible on foot, it is also well preserved.

A short distance but a steep climb await you. This is therefore a fairly challenging hike. The main attraction of the hike is discovering the steep slopes of the Vosges on the Alsace side. The summit of Ballon d'Alsace is accessible by car.

A family walk with a quick descent to Lac des Perches but a more gradual return to the starting point at Rouge Gazon.

This is a very rich hike in terms of the diversity of its route, relief and views, types of paths, undergrowth and stubble biotopes, and beech forests. Not to mention the magical Lac des Perches seen from below... Moderator's note: the Blue Disc marked trail between (1) and its junction with the Yellow Chevalet (Steinweg) trail is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Chevalet trail. Route modified on 26/06/2023 at point (4) to pass through theGR® 5 and join (6) due to dangerous forest decline for hikers and to preserve biodiversity.

If you want an alternative between several circuits between Lac d'Alfeld and the summit of Ballon d'Alsace, here is one that combines routes ranging from easy to difficult and takes you past the old farm ruins that dotted the massif before the Second World War. Here is one that combines routes ranging from easy to difficult and allows you to discover the old ruined farms that dotted the mountains before the Second World War.

A very beautiful circular trail with a wide variety of landscapes: beech and fir forests, meadows and pastures, and Vosges lakes nestled in their green surroundings. The trails themselves are equally varied: steep and rocky, wide and gently sloping, or narrow paths between the trees. Some beautiful viewpoints. Several possible stops in inns (check closing days) or mountain huts.

Between Masevaux and Niederbruck, more than ten kilometres of new forest paths have recently been created. Here is a nice little route of about 6 km that partly follows these new paths... Hike accessible via Niederbruck Centre station.

The Wegscheid Forest(1), a regional nature reserve, features a landscape inherited from its volcanic past. Beech, fir, oak and maple trees grow in tiers or mingle among the scree on a steep, rugged slope dotted with volcanic rocks and overlooked by the Vogelstein Rocks. After winding paths to discover these curiosities, the hike leads into wide open spaces in the light of the Rossberg and Belacker hilltops with exceptional panoramic views.

Panoramic or bird's-eye views of the southern Vosges mountains and valleys. Relief, forest, stubble fields, ridges, wild valleys, paths winding through the woods... Exercise and enjoyment guaranteed! Special feature: the beautiful, wild valley at the end of the route, between Belacker and Rimbach!

After dawdling along Lake Alfeld, you climb up following the Issenbach Canal. Crossing a moraine reminds you that you are on granite terrain. Arriving at the Issenbach Refuge, you can enjoy a picnic on a grassy terrace facing the Sewen Valley or, further on, a meal at the Baerenbach farmhouse inn. Then the climb along the Seebach is magical, with its small, steep-sided gorges and numerous small waterfalls.

Belle randonnée en montagne entre forêts et chaumes d'altitude.

Short walk in Niederbruck to the Entzenbach farmhouse inn, nestled in a peaceful spot at the bottom of the valley.

A route partly through woodland, offering the chance to discover numerous sites and monuments. 

Starting from Masevaux, this hike will take you to Sudel, the south-eastern tip of the Vosges. It offers a beautiful view of the Belfort area, the Jura and the Alps. The hike is not difficult, there is just a slight incline.

Enjoy the beautiful view from the Schlumpf trail. The Grand Ballon and the Ballon d’Alsace will be visible among the other surrounding peaks overlooking the Masevaux valley floor. Make the most of this route to stop at the Ferme-Auberge du Lochberg for a bite to eat or enjoy a packed lunch at the Graber Breitenstein shelter.

A hike with no technical difficulty but a significant elevation gain. Beautiful panoramic views, including the Belfort Gap. This hike takes you past the highlights of the ruins of Rougemont Castle, Sainte Catherine Chapel, the Sudel, the Baerenkopf and the hamlet of Saint Nicolas.

From Lachtelweiher (in the municipality of Kirchberg), a pleasant circular route follows the Doller valley, passing over the peaks of Baerenkopf and Sudel in the Southern Vosges and through the farmhouse inns at Lochberg and Bruckenwald. This circular route also has historical interest as it follows, for a long stretch along the ridge, theGR®5, which runs along the former border between France and Germany from 1871 until the First World War.

A hike that will allow you to discover a beautiful Vosges peak, the Rossberg, which offers a magnificent view of the entire massif, from the Ballon d’Alsace to the Grand Ballon and the Honneck, and, on a clear day, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. A place that remains free from cars and crowds as no road leads there!

Come and explore the hills on the right bank of the Doller Valley. At the top of the Schlumpf, you can admire the landscape and enjoy views of the Vosges, from the Ballon d’Alsace to the Grand Ballon, and beyond the Alsace plain, the foothills of the Black Forest.

Hike alternating between forests and alpine meadows with magnificent views and passing through wonderful sites such as Lac des Perches and Lac Neuweiher or the Haute-Bers stubble fields.Please note that there are some tricky sections for those who are prone to vertigo and fear of heights on the GR®5 section overlooking Lac des Perches.

The Ballon d'Alsace is accessible from several points. Its summit is accessible by road. The more athletic may wish to attempt this circular route starting from Sewen, which offers a few points of interest, notably Lake Alfeld. The return route follows the ridges for the most part, offering views that sometimes stretch as far as the first Alpine peaks when the weather permits. There are numerous shortcuts available to shorten the circular route. Hike accessible via Sewen station (11 GD RUE).

A lovely walk with views over the lakes, the summit of the Ballon d’Alsace and the Sewen valley. Our group opted to hike without snowshoes; snow cover was patchy, with more in the wooded areas.

Starting in Rimbach, a charming mountain village in the Masevaux Valley, this circular route takes us to one of the highest lakes in the Vosges, Lac des Perches. (alt. 984 m)A relatively strenuous hike with a fair bit of elevation gain, certainly, but the reward is well worth it; the view over the valley is magnificent and the lake is one of the most beautiful in the massif, and as it is only accessible on foot, it is also well preserved.About half of this lovely route takes you through the shade of the forest; the valley floors, lower slopes and certain ridges carpeted with grass are a delight for the cows from mid-May to September.We have classified this route as difficult; it will be so for occasional walkers and young children, but is of moderate difficulty for seasoned hikers.

Starting from the secluded Entzenbach Farm Inn (612 m), this circular route takes you to another, very discreet farm inn in the Doller Valley, the Bruckenwald (750 m). Then, after a long climb to the Baerenkopf (1,074 m), at the summit of which stands one of the oldest mountain huts in the Vosges, the trail leads you to a third farmhouse inn, the Lochberg (910 m), before returning to your starting point.

This hike takes you mainly through forest from Sentheim to Masevaux via the Wolflenloch discovery trail. The return route follows the Doller river, passing the Hohenstein Cave and Sainte-Anne Chapel.

This walk starts from the Lac d’Alfeld car park. After crossing the lake via the causeway, follow a shaded path running parallel to the Issenbach stream. Once you reach the Issenbach area, head towards this hamlet, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding valleys and peaks. The return journey takes you to the Baerenbach farmhouse inn, then back along the same route via the forest road leading to Lac d'Alfeld.

The Graber discovery trail revives the path that serves the village farms. Walk past the Graber farmhouse inn, overlooking those of Holschlag and Kraitland, and stop off at the small Schlumpf ski resort.

A circular route starting and finishing at the Alfeld Lake car park. It follows the Issenbach stream to the refuge of the same name, then on to the Baerenbach Farm Inn, which is the turning point, before following the Baerenbach and Seebach streams back towards Alfeld Lake.

This circular walk starts and ends near the Grand Langenberg farmhouse inn. It follows the north-facing slope of the Ballon d’Alsace National Forest above the Wagenstallbach and Doller valleys. It leads to the ridge of the Wissgrut and Gentiane scree slopes, which marks the border between departments 68 and 90, then passes beneath the Tête des Redoutes to return to the starting point.

Starting from the centre of Sickert, a beautiful hike offering views of the Virgin of Alsace overlooking the Doller Valley, then ascending the Sickertbach valley, passing the Sickertbach Shelter and the pass of the same name, and returning via the foot of the Falkenstein to the Col de Luttersberg to enjoy the magnificent view from the Rocher de la Croix. Descent towards Sickert via the charming Chapel of the Owls (Kutzakapalala).

Starting from the Ferme-auberge du Gresson, this circular walk is one of the most magnificent in the Doller Valley. It first takes you to a secluded ridge where the forest has naturally reclaimed the land, before descending towards the lakes of Les Perches and Grand Neuweiher, two magnificent sites where it is lovely to stroll along the shores.

This mountain hike takes about 3½ hours and starts at the shores of Lake Alfeld, at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace, and ends at the Gresson farmhouse inn, passing by the Baerenbach farmhouse inn and the spectacular little Seebach glacial canyon.

Starting from the Col du Ballon d'Alsace, this circular route takes you on a circuit around the summit before crossing wild maple forests and the rocky, steep south-eastern slopes of the mountain. A visit to the summit plateau, a future Grand Site de France, is a highlight of this hike, offering breathtaking views over Lorraine, Alsace and Franche-Comté. On the other side, far from the “crowds” of the Ballon, the unassuming farmhouse inn at Grand Langenberg is a peaceful haven where it’s lovely to stop for a break before setting off again.

In the Doller valley, the climb to the Lochberg farmhouse inn from the small ski resort of Schlumpf (Dolleren) opens up a high-altitude cirque and offers superb panoramic views of the Rossberg massif and the Ballon d’Alsace.