Landscape walks along the Crest Road

Walking is the best way to discover the Hautes-Vosges. The 17 sites found along the Crest Road bring you information on the natural and cultural heritage of the area as well as tips on short walks you can take on your own.

Welcome to the Great Crest of the Vosges

Cycling, walking, driving, skiing, snowshoeing… Great Crest is for everyone to enjoy! But always with respect for the environment, which is both much sought-after and accessible. To prevent the many visitors from causing damage to our shared heritage, and to ensure that this outstanding natural area continues to enchant us for a long time to come, please follow the following recommendations:

Be careful, you are entering a natural area with various potential hazards such as cliffs, falling branches, etc. Please make sure to wear suitable gear, have water with you, check the weather forecast before setting off on your hike, and stay on the marked trails so as not to contribute to erosion and disturb the local fauna.

  • Keep your dog on a leash so as not to disturb wildlife;
  • Respect the specific regulations of protected areas;
  • Close all fences behind you so that livestock do not escape;
  • Take your rubbish with you – it takes 400 years for a plastic bag to disappear!
  • Avoid picking wildflowers for they may be rare and protected.

Great walks along the Crest Road

Wear good shoes and suitable, weather-proof clothing when hiking in the mountains!

More information on:

  • The Schlucht Pass at ‘Tétras 1139’
  • The Rothenbach in the ‘Maison de la Nature’ (Nature House)

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Breitzousen

Transhumance, a living historical heritage
culminating at 1,350 m, the ‘Kastelberg’ is a wide and high summit which offers a diversity of perspectives over the Munster and Moselotte valleys.
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The ‘Schlucht’ Pass

A gateway to the summits
Located in the Frankenthal-Missheimle National Nature Reserve, the proposed trails lead to breathtaking viewpoints. Some, such as the Hirschsteine lookout point, are equipped with steps and metal staircases. A good physical condition is recommended.
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The ‘Bagenelles’ Pass

Breeders, ‘Guardians of tradition’
From the Bagenelles Pass, enjoy panoramic views of the Lièpvrette and Béhine valleys. The ‘Grand Brézouard’ peak culminates at 1,229 m near the pass, in the direction of Haïcot.
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The ‘Bonhomme’ Pass

Not to be missed!
The walk to the Rossberg is a forestry trail that follows the former Franco-German border of 1871; the walk down to the Sainte-Claire chapel crosses well-preserved rural landscapes that are typical of the Welche region.
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The ‘Calvaire’ Pass

The importance of lakes for mankind
The Calvaire Pass is located at the heart of the ‘Lac Blanc 1200’ ski resort, which offers a variety of fun activities for all ages. It is also the starting point for many hiking routes.
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The ‘Haag’ Pass

The ‘Vosgienne’, a white line on the blue line!
The Haag Pass offers a privileged view of the highest ‘Grand Ballon’ in the Vosges massif, peaking at 1,424 m. Experience a variety of atmospheres when visiting the ‘Grand Ballon’, such as the lesser-known Ballon Lake created under Vauban.
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The ‘Herrenberg’ Pass

Vosges passes, privileged sites for migratory birds
Overlooking the Kruth-Wildenstein Lake in the Thur valley, this pass is also a crossroads for long-distance hiking with an eastbound access towards the villages of the Munster valley. The recommended walks cross the Schweisel stubble field at 1,272 m and the Kruth Forest.
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The ‘Dreieck – Lac Vert’

High beech forest of the summits
Located in the ‘Tanet Gazon du Faing’ National Nature Reserve, the walks lead to two high summits of the great Vosges Crest (the ‘Tanet’ at 1,292 m and the ‘Gazon du Faing’ at 1,303 m). They overlook the Alsace plain, the Vosges mountainside, and the ‘Lac Vert’ (Green Lake).
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The ‘Gazon du Faing’

Peat bogs, a heritage legacy
These walks cross the ‘Tanet-Gazon-du-Faing’ National Nature Reserve, through the high stubble fields to the edge of the Forlet glacial cirque and its steep cliff.
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The ‘Grand Ballon’

Reach the summit!
The recommended walks lead to the highest point of the Vosges massif, the ‘Grand Ballon’ (1,424 m), without too much effort. You can complete your discovery of the site with two trails, to the north and to the south.
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The ‘Hohneck’

A contrasting climate
The ‘Hohneck’ summit (1,363 m) offers manifold hikes and walks, some of which are located in the ‘Frankenthal-Missheimle’ nature reserve. The selected walks lead to the summit or, less strenuous, to remarkable viewpoints overlooking the Munster valley and the valley of the lakes.
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The ‘Hahnenbrunnen’

A more accessible mountain
The recommended eastbound walks lead to a secondary crest up to the Platzerwaesel pass. They offer an exceptional vista of the Great Vosges Crest where several peaks culminate at over 1,300 m.
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The ‘Markstein’

A historic ski resort
A prized skiing,destination in winter, Markstein also offers a wide choice of catering options and fun activities in summer. The first loop goes around two peaks: the Trehkopf at 1,266 m and the Jungfrauenkopf at 1,268 m. The second loop leads down to the Steinlebach stubble fields.
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The ‘Rothenbach’

Alpine flora… in the Vosges!
Located in the Regional Natural reserve of the Rothenbach high stubble fields, the family-friendly walks are best enjoyed with a visit to the ‘Centre d’Initiation à la Nature et à l’Environnement’ (Nature and Environment Initiation Centre) to learn all about the site’s treasures.
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The ‘Tanet’

A route of military origin
Straddling the ‘Tanet-Gazon-du-Faing’ and ‘Frankenthal-Missheimle’ National Nature Reserves, the recommended walks cross remarkable forests towards clearings housing mountain farmhouses known as ‘marcairies’.
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The ‘Trois Fours’

Big and very discreet animals
Located in the ‘Frankenthal-Missheimle’ Nature Reserve, these walks cross a high stubble meadow typical of the Vosges. The Frankenthal lookout loop leads to a breathtaking view of the ‘Hohneck’ summit.
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The ‘Vieil Armand’

A great lookout point
The monument and the national cemetery are must-see places of remembrance. The ‘Hartmannswillerkopf’ was once a battlefield where 30,000 French and German soldiers died during World War One. The recommended walk goes through the trenches, where many remains are preserved.
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