Wettstein, Lac Noir, Lac du Forlet and Musmiss Farm Inn

A beautiful hike starting from the Col du Wettstein, with steep climbs up to the ridge above Lac Noir and Lac Forlet, a descent towards Forlet, where caution is advised, then a gentle stretch to the Musmiss Farm Inn (a gourmet stop) and then, in ten minutes, back to the Col du Wettstein.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.90 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 510 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 507 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,270 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 840 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Col du Wettstein car park (free parking).

(S/E) Leave the Col du Wettstein car park, cross the road (very busy) and follow the wide path on the right (Yellow Rectangle) up to the first junction.

(1) Turn right and take the Yellow Rectangle path marked with a white cross (it is also possible to continue straight on, following the Yellow Rectangle, but this avoids the very pretty hamlet of Les Hautes-Huttes).

(2) You’ll come to a small road; follow it to the right until you reach the hamlet of Les Hautes-Huttes.

(3) As you walk down into the hamlet, you’ll notice a rather unusual chapel-school.The chapel, where masses are still held, was flanked by a building that housed the school (now the reception room of the Club Vosgien) and, above it, the former teacher’s accommodation, which is still inhabited. Walk past the impressive Hautes-Huttes farm. You can stock up on cheese there... Continue to a crossroads.

(4) Take the small road on the left; the climb is steep!

(5) Continuing along this road, you’ll rejoin the Yellow Rectangle marked route. Head straight on and pass the Maison Oberlin.

(6) Once you reach Lac Noir, take the path that climbs to the left towards the ridges (Blue Disc) and starts next to the information panel and the open-air chapel, dedicated to the victims of the accident in January 1934 on the construction site of the penstock between Lac Blanc and Lac Noir. The climb is steep. Continue straight on at every junction until you reach the ridge.

(7) When you reach the junction on the ridges, take the path opposite (Red Triangle). After crossing a scree slope, this path descends steeply towards Lac du Forlet (stunning view). Follow it down the slope opposite.

(8) When you reach the lake, walk past the Ferme-auberge du Forlet and continue along the lake. Go round the lake and do not take the Red Triangle path which climbs to the right. Continue along the lake to the dam.

(9) Cross the dam. At the end of the dam, take the path on the right, then immediately the path on the right (Red Triangle) towards Kaltenborn. Be careful not to head back up towards the dam ; continue along the path that descends!

(10) You’ll come out onto a path; take this and continue downhill. Be careful on this part of the walk; make sure you follow the Red Triangle. Walk alongside the Soultzeren Stream for a while, crossing it occasionally. Cut across the bend in the forest road

(11) Take the path leading down on the other side of the road.

(12) Turn left onto the modified route and continue straight ahead on the ascending track.

(13) At the bend in the road, take the path on the right, continuing to follow the Red Triangle. Go round the beautiful Ebene clearing (with a lovely new farmhouse in the middle). You’ll come out onto a wide track, which climbs straight ahead (Yellow Saltire) and leave the Red Triangle. Continue along the track, take a hairpin bend to the left then keep to the right until you reach Musmiss.

(14) The Musmiss farmhouse inn is the gourmet stop. On leaving, take the small road that descends towards the Col du Wettstein, a few minutes’ walk away (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 883 m - Wettstein Pass
  2. 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 951 m - Yellow Rectangle with a white cross
  3. 2 : km 0.91 - alt. 927 m - Short route
  4. 3 : km 1.46 - alt. 903 m - Hautes-Huttes Chapel-School
  5. 4 : km 1.85 - alt. 902 m - Short route
  6. 5 : km 2.56 - alt. 963 m - Yellow Rectangle Route
  7. 6 : km 3.75 - alt. 953 m - Blue Disc Trail - Lac Noir
  8. 7 : km 5.42 - alt. 1,263 m - Red Triangle
  9. 8 : km 6.57 - alt. 1,086 m - Forlet Lake and Farm Inn
  10. 9 : km 6.96 - alt. 1,065 m - Dike
  11. 10 : km 7.35 - alt. 1,028 m - Path
  12. 11 : km 7.51 - alt. 1,001 m - Trail
  13. 12 : km 7.96 - alt. 950 m - Start of the modified route
  14. 13 : km 8.27 - alt. 935 m - Coude
  15. 14 : km 11.25 - alt. 927 m - Musmiss Farm Inn
  16. S/E : km 11.9 - alt. 883 m - Wettstein Pass

Notes

You can also start the hike at Lac Noir; the first section will be shorter, taking you to the Musmiss farmhouse inn, but you will then need to return, after the Musmiss stage, via the Col du Wettstein back to Lac Noir. At Lac Noir, right next to the inn, free parking is available for three hours only. Please ensure you park further up the road when arriving.

Musmiss Farm Inn: Soultzeren (via the Col du Wettstein), famusmiss@gmail.com, 03 89 71 32 33, open from Easter to 11 November, closed on Fridays, lunch served from 12 noon to 2 pm, cold dishes and desserts available until 6 pm.

Ferme-auberge du Forlet: Lac du Forlet (or Lac des Truites), Soultzeren. 03 89 77 49 22.Dairy farmer’s meals, small dishes, platters of cold meats and cheeses. All-day service. Cheese shop. Open from late April to early November. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Auberge du Lac Noir: Orbey, 03 89 71 21 80, open daily from 9am to 6pm, lunch served from 12pm to 1.30pm. Closed for annual holidays during the Christmas break.

Chalet-refuge du Lac Noir: Orbey, 06 08 76 55 75, orbey@amis-nature.org, amisnature-val-orbey.fr/chalet-refuge-lac-noir/, accommodation in rooms with 2 to 6 beds, picnic room.

Further information:

Munster Valley Tourist Office

Kaysersberg Valley Tourist Office

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