The Grande Traversée des Hautes Vosges with all comfort
One of the most beautiful mid-mountain hikes. 7 days of hiking in the middle of the Vosges summits with all the comfort.
From
795,00 €
The Vosges massif is a mountain with a mountainous landscape in the primary era. From the glacial periods, many lakes remain, most of them set in magnificent cirques with high rocky walls or large forests. Some are reduced to the state of peat bogs and one can then admire a particular flora…
Between 600 and 1 400 meters, the high Vosges trails will take you from the Bonhomme pass to the Markstein, passing by the Gazon du Faing, the Schlucht pass, the Hohneck,… through a varied and spectacular natural environment where you will find softly undulating Hautes Chaumes, ridge lines offering dazzling views sometimes as far as the Alps…
In the bend of the big forests, there are waterfalls and their limpid waters and in the silence of the high peaks, the solitary chamois. You will also discover the local traditions: marcaireries (Fermes Auberges des Hautes Chaumes) where cheese is made (Munster), the Vosges and Alsatian cuisine, washed down with the famous Alsatian wines if you feel like it! Walking, swimming and picking wild berries will be your only concerns.
Europ’Aventure allows you to enjoy your stay in total relaxation: accommodation, half board, luggage transport,…
Hiking in freedom – Duration of 7 days – Departure possible from May to October according to your availability and your possibilities.
Program
Day 1
Munster
Reception around 6pm at the hotel located in the valley of Munster (famous for its cheese of character…), one of the largest and most beautiful valleys of the Alsatian side of the Hautes-Vosges. Set up for one night.
Day 2
Munster (370 m) – Schratzmaennele (1045 m) – Orbey (531 m)
6 hours walk (14 km). Difference in elevation 750, Difference in elevation 650m
Magnificent increase in power of your stay. Very varied landscapes thanks to a very gentle progression of the different layers of vegetation crossed. A discovery of the heritage of the 1st world war (Memorial of Linge 987m – possible visit of the museum – and the German military cemetery of Baerenstall 975m) as well as the scattered farms of the Welche country. You will finish your ascent at the top of the Schratzmaennele before descending to the Alsatian mountain village of Orbey. Installation for two nights
Day 3
Orbey – Tête des Faux (1219 m) – Lac Blanc (1058 m) – Orbey (531 m)
6 hours walk (21 km). Difference in altitude positive 950mn, difference in altitude negative 950m
A beautiful hike that combines nature, with the Etang du Devin peat bog, and history, with the discovery of many relics of the Great War. From the hotel you arrive at the unusual peat bog of Etang du Devin. The path then winds its way up to the Roche du Corbeau (1122m – beautiful panorama), the former arrival station of the cable car. We continue with the summit of the Tête des Faux, the highest point of the day and a listed historical monument, which overlooks the villages of Le Bonhomme, Lapoutroie and Orbey, and especially the Bonhomme pass, which was considered strategic by the French in 1914. Descent to the Duschesne Cemetery to discover the Lac Blanc (lake of glacial origin) before finishing the descent to Orbey.
Day 4
Orbey (531 m) – Lac des Truites (1065 m) – Schlucht Pass (1139 m)
6h30 walk (19 km). Vertical rise 950m, vertical fall 600m
One of the most beautiful stages of the crossing of the Vosges with the passage at the edge of three splendid glacial lakes and on the path of crests (GR5) offering splendid panoramas on the valleys of Alsace and the Vosges and further on the Black Forest and the Alps. Passage to the Schlucht pass before reaching our mountain Chalet Hotel located at 1100m altitude. Installation for 2 nights.
Day 5
Col de la Schlucht – the Hohneck (1363 m) – Col de la Schlucht (1139 m)
5h30 walk (17 km). Positive elevation gain 700m, negative elevation gain 700m
Climb to the Hohneck massif to the Falimont pass to join the “sentier des Névés”. This panoramic path runs along the immense glacial cirque of the Wormsa and is one of the best places to see chamois. We leave the trail at the Kastelbergwasen farmhouse and start a “deep” discovery of the two glacial cirques of the Wormsa and Wormspel, which are home to two beautiful mountain lakes: the Fischboedle and the Schiessrothried. Ascent of the Hohneck (the 3rd summit of the massif) before reaching the hotel.
Day 6
Schlucht Pass – Kastelberg (1350 m) – Markstein (1200 m)
6 hours of walking (18.5 km). Positive altitude gain 560m, negative altitude gain
A stage of crests and summits, at high altitude, between 1200 and 1316 m, with successive viewpoints over the whole of the Vosges Massif: sublime! After having climbed the Hohneck (1363 m) you follow the summit ridge of the massif which separates the Vosges from the plain of Alsace. On the way, many small peaks dot this ridge, the Kastelberg (1350 m), the Rothenbackhopf (1316 m), …. But you don’t have to climb them all! Below, glacial lakes pearl in the middle of the coniferous forest.
Day 7
Markstein – Langenfeldkopf (1290 m) – Petit Ballon (1272 m) – Munster (370 m)
5 hours walk (21 km). Positive altitude gain 660m, negative altitude gain 1460m
This is the wildest stage, the landscapes are very endearing, with a variety of vegetation of pines, heather and juniper. Transfers to the Markstein. We cross the ancient stubble fields of Markstein and then those of Steinlebach before reaching the Oberlauchen pass (1211m). The path follows the ridge up to the Petit Ballon and then begins the descent to Munster, which is beautiful! End of the hike around 4pm in Munster, possibility to visit the village : abbey, church, Albert Schweitzer and Fecht parks, exhibition in the Balloon Park…
Practical information
Reception: Day 1 around 6pm at the hotel in Munster.
Dispersion : on day 7 around 5pm in Munster.
Reception: on day 1 around 6pm at the hotel in Munster (Haut-Rhin-68 – contact details will be provided at registration). Departure on Tuesday and Wednesday: you will not be able to sleep at the foot of the Grand Ballon: you will be accommodated at the Markstein, this does not change the program and itinerary, but you will not be able to climb the Grand Ballon.
Dispersion : on day 7 around 5pm in Munster.
Difficulty : This medium mountain hike presents no particular technical difficulty – be accustomed to walking in varied terrain and be in good physical condition. The courses are well marked. The average altitude difference on the way up is about 800m per day. The itinerary takes place at an altitude between 370m (Munster) and 1424m (the Grand Ballon). You will walk an average of 6 to 7 hours a day.
Framing : hiking in freedom without an attendant
Extension : If you wish to climb the Grand Ballon, it is possible to add a night at the Markstein to make a loop hike that passes by the summit.
Luggage transport : with luggage transport from one stage to another
Access by car :Reaching Munster (370m – Haut-Rhin – 68) is located on the D 417 about 20km east of Colmar direction Col de la Schlucht/ Géradmer/ Epinal.
Car Park : you can leave your car in the closed car park in the garden of the hotel, during your hike, negotiated rate: 10 € for the week (to be paid on the spot). Or on the free car park of the village hall, located 900 m from the hotel, in the centre of Munster.
Train access : Munster via the station SNCF of Munster via the station SNCF of Colmar (19 km – Timetables to be consulted at the SNCF).
Dates / prices
Dates
Departure possible from May 09 to October 21, 2023 No departure on Tuesday and Wednesday
Price
Below is the price list per person for the year 2023. The price depends mainly on the size of your group.
- From 2 to 3 persons: 875,00 €.
- From 4 to 5 persons: 820,00 €.
- From 6 to 7 persons: 795,00 €.
Single room supplement : + 150,00 € per person
Supplement 1 single participant : + 90,00 € per person (on 2 persons rate)
- Price per person, without luggage transport: 715,00 €.
Extension (2nd night at Markstein in 1/2 board + road book) : + 90 €/person. To be booked at the time of registration !!!
The price includes :
- organization and reservation costs
- accommodation in ½ boarding (except dinner on day 1!!)
- the freedom file (the documentation for the hike: maps, descriptions…)
- the transport of luggage
The price does not include:
- drinks
- The means of transport to the meeting place
- picnics
- personal expenses and insurance
- Possible visits
- anything not indicated in “Price includes”.
Dogs are no longer allowed on this circuit.
In pictures
