One-week guided crossing of the Vosges Mountains

We will meet in Munster, one of the largest and most beautiful valleys of the Alsatian slopes of the High Vosges! This location takes its name from the construction of the third monastery built by the Benedictine monks, inspired by Saint-Colomban from Ireland!

After coming together, we do a short trip briefing and then spend the night in a hotel in the area.

On the first day of our trek we will discover forests, lakes and swamps as we begin our adventure.

Additionally,  we will visit WWI landmarks such as a passage near Lince Memorial, the German Military Cemetery of Baerenstall (975 m) and the scattered farms of the country Welche.

Then, we will spend two nights in an Alsacian village of the Orbey mountain.

Altitude difference: + 750 m; – 650 m.

Schedule: 6 hrs walk approximately.

A beautiful hike that combines nature and history, with the discovery of many of the remains of the great war.

From the hotel we will arrive at the site of the unusual swamp of the Etang du Devin.

Finally, we will hike up and take the cable car to Raven Rock summit (1122 m). We will admire the beautiful views of the villages of Bonhomme, Lapoutroie and Orbey especially the Col du Bonhomme, considered by the French as strategic. Then we will descend via the Duschesne Cemetery (where the French war camp was established) to discover the Lac Blanc (glacial origin) before joining Orbey.

Altitude difference: + 950 m; – 950 m

Schedule: we will start walking at 6:00 am approximately.

One of the most beautiful stages of the crossing of the Vosges. We will pass the edge of three magnificent glacial lakes and the crest trail (GR5) offering splendid views of the Alsatian and Vosges valleys and in the distance of Black Forest and the Alps. Finally, we will cross the Schlucht pass before reaching our Chalet Mountain Hotel located at 1,100 m altitude.

We will spend two nights 2 nights at this Chalet Mountain Hotel.

Altitude difference: + 950 m; – 600 m

Schedule: 6:30 hrs walk approximately.

We will start early in the morning around 6:00 am by climbing to the top of Falimont and the Rocks of Martinswand. The intense calm of the early morning will make this experience quite unique. We will have breakfast at an authentic Farmhouse Farm and even visit the farm with the Munster cheese manufacturer.

We will descend to the prestigious glacial cirque of Frankenthal, a national natural reserve with an beautiful swamp and a strange pond with almost black waters.

Hike to the Schaeferthal pass and discover the two glacial cirques of Wormsa and Wormspel, home of to two beautiful mountain lakes: Fischboedle and Schiessrothried.

Hike to the Hohneck through the Wormspel glacial cirque before reaching the hotel via the Col du Falimont (1,290 m) and follow the path of the old tramway on the balcony of the Valley of the Lakes.

Altitude difference: + 700 m; – 700 m Schedule: 5h30 walk approximately

Explore different peaks and summits and enjoy the spectacular views of the whole Massif des Vosges.

Hotel transfer from Markstein to Grand Ballon and overnight stay in our Mountain Hotel located at 1350 meters at the foot of the Grand Ballon.

Altitude difference: + 750 m; – 690 m.

Schedule: 6: 30 hrs walk approximately.

It is the wildest and most beautiful part of the journey. The landscapes are very beautiful with varied vegetation of pines, heather and juniper trees.

Transfer to Markstein.

We will cross the old stubble of Markstein and those of Steinlebach before joining the pass of Oberlauchen (1,211 m). The path follows the ridge to the Petit Ballon to begin to descent to Munster.

End of the hike on Saturday around 16:00 in Munster.

We may explore the Abbey, church, the Albert Schweitzer and the Fecht parks, exhibition in the premises of the Ballons Park  in Munster once we return.

Altitude difference: + 470 m; – 1150 m

Schedule: 5:00 hrs walk approximately.