Hiking in the Vosges

Located around 40 km from the Vosges, in the village of Herpelmont, Camping Domaine Des Messires welcomes you to a natural, unspoilt setting for an exceptional stay. It’s the ideal place to discover the most beautiful hiking trails in the Vosges mountains!

This 12.2 km hike starts at the Bresse-Hohneck ski resort and leads to Lac du Schiessrothried, via Schlessroth and Le Gaschney. The Hohneck is the second highest peak in the Vosges after the Grand Ballon (1,424 m). From the ridge, you can contemplate the entire Alsace plain and the sumptuous Black Forest.

Discover 7.2 km of shortcuts and battlefields near Wattwiller in the Haut-Rhin. This is where the French and German armies clashed in 1915. The route begins with a climb up the massif, following the German fortified trenches, to the summit where a memorial necropolis offers a view of the Alps.

If you love old stone buildings, this hike in the Vosges is exactly what you need! It’s a 7 km trail that starts in Ribeauvillé to discover the Château Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg and Haut Ribeaupierre, three vestiges that watch over the city of minstrels.

Starting from Lac Blanchemer, you’ll pass Lac Lalande, Lac de Retournemer, Cascade Charlemagne and Cascade de Retournemer before arriving at Lac Longemer. It’s a 10 km route full of magnificent colors and breathtaking waterfalls.

Situated in the heart of the Vosges mountains, Lake Kruth-Wildenstein is surrounded by a rich variety of flora and fauna. It’s an ideal spot for canoeing, pedal boating, fishing and climbing. It’s more like a 5.5 km walk around the lake, accessible to the disabled. You’ll discover the ruins of the Wildenstein castle and the the Bockloch and Vorderbocklochruntz waterfalls.

After 10.5 km of splendidly scenic trails, you’ll reach the village of Hohwald via the Andlau spring, the Chaume des Veaux and, of course, the Hohwald waterfall, where you can enjoy a peaceful picnic. It’s a magical hike for beginners and children alike.

At 25 m, the Nideck waterfall is the highest in Alsace. The trail to the waterfall is 4.7 km long, starting at the waterfall parking lot. It’s a signposted path along a small river, nestled in the hollow of a pond. The spectacle is quite impressive in winter when the water freezes and sticks to the rocks. Continuing on your way, you’ll discover Château du Nideck, an ancient 13th-century fortress.

Let’s end our selection with the Three Lakes hike on the heights ofOrbey, a 13-km loop that’s fairly classic in the Vosges, but well worth the detour! The route crosses three lakes: Lac Noir, Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites. Hiking trails, forest paths and a crossing of the Gazon du Faing can all be discovered along the way. TheBelmont Rocher observatory and Rocher de Hans are also exceptional viewpoints, not to be missed on a clear day.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert hiker, the Vosges mountains are the place for you!