The Tour of the Hautes Vosges in freedom
This 3-stage loop of mid-mountain walks in the Hautes-Vosges offers breathtaking scenery.
This splendid 4-day loop hike (3 walking stages) takes place in the most emblematic site of the Hautes-Vosges: La Grande Crête! The high Vosges trails lead you to discover the high valleys of Alsace and the Vosges, from protected peat bogs where you can admire a particular flora, to the bare ridges of the Hautes Chaumes offering dazzling views, sometimes as far as the Alps…
At altitudes between 600 and 1400 metres, the high Vosges trails take you through the high valleys of Alsace and the Vosges, from the protected peat bogs with their special flora to the bare ridges of the Hautes Chaumes, offering dazzling views sometimes as far as the Alps, from the beech and fir forests to the many isolated high-altitude lakes, from the roundness of the peaks to the verticality of the glacial cirques… Some chamois may even surprise you on the slopes of the Hohneck massif… And many culinary specialities on the program!
Europ’Aventure allows you to enjoy your stay in total relaxation: accommodation, half board, luggage transport,…
Free hiking – 4 days – Departure possible from May to October.
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 (370m) – the Blast Furnace (1288m) – Schlucht Pass (1139m)
6h30 walk (16 km). Difference in height 990m, difference in height 270m.
Magnificent increase in power of your stay. Very varied landscapes thanks to a very gentle progression of the different layers of vegetation crossed. Passage to the Alsatian village of Hohrod nestled in a forest and greenery (481m) then to Soultzeren. As you ascend, you take measure of the remarkable view that is offered to the eyes. Here towards the Hohneck, there towards the Petit Ballon, there again on the valley or Munster. You finish your ascent to the top of the Blast Furnace. Passage to the Schlucht pass (the highest in the Vosges) before reaching the Chalet Hôtel de montagne located at 1100m. Set up for one night.
Day 3
Schlucht Pass – Kastelberg (1350m) – Markstein (1200m)
5h30 walk (18.5 km) Ascent 560m, Descent 480m.
Stage of crests and summits, all in altitude, between 1200 and 1400m, with successive points of view over the whole 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 4
Markstein – Langenfeldkopf (1290 m) – Petit Ballon (1272 m) – Munster (370 m)
6 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 old stems of Markstein then those of the Steinlebach before joining the Oberlauchen pass (1211m). The path follows the ridge up to the Petit Ballon and then starts the descent to Munster which is quite beautiful!
End of the hike to 16h00 to Munster, possibility to visit the village: abbey, church, the Albert Schweitzer and Fecht parks, exhibition in the premises of the Parc des Ballons…
Map
Practical information
Home : on day 1 around 6pm at the hotel in Munster (Haut-Rhin-68 – contact details will be provided at registration)
Dispersion : on day 4 at about 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.
Supervision: Unaccompanied hiking
Dogs: dogs have not been allowed on this trail since April 2022.
Luggage transport: Luggage transport from one stage to the next. 1 piece per person, maximum 15 kg.
Access by car: Munster (370m – Haut-Rhin – 68) is located on the D 417 about 20km east of Colmar in the direction of Col de la Schlucht/ Gérardmer/ Epinal. Parking : you can leave your car in the closed parking lot in the hotel garden during your hike, at a negotiated rate of €5 for 3 days (payable on site). 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 – Timetable to be consulted at the SNCF).
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.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Hotel ** and 1 night in Hotel ***.
– One night in a hotel ideally located near Munster town center. Rooms with shower or bath, WC, flat-screen TV. The hotel has its own garden.
– One night in a comfortable, family-run Chalet Hotel, located on the Col de la Schlucht, in a peaceful mountain setting, or just below the pass, at the foot of the Hohneck massif, in rooms with shower or bath, WC, flat-screen TV.
– One night in a mountain hotel on the Markstein pass, in a room with shower and toilet. This is the only hotel in Markstein, so when it’s full we’ll offer you a night in a farmhouse inn, in a room of 2 or 4 with comforters, but shared bathroom facilities as in a refuge (22 €/person discount).
Digital travel pack: In order to limit our paper consumption, we have chosen not to systematically print out travel documents, or automatically supply IGN maps, and instead offer you a dematerialized travel pack.
– The provision of our “Roadbook” assisted guidance application for all participants, including itinerary, background map, real-time location, points of interest and variants. It installs easily on your phone.
– PDF edition of your logbook, including 1:25,000 map extracts of your route
– Supply in PDF format of: list of accommodations with access, list of restaurants in Munster, vouchers to be presented at accommodations.
Luggage tags will be available at the1st accommodation.
Dossier de Randonnée papier: (Option at extra cost, to be booked on registration). Although we are convinced that the digital version is the best option for organizing this trip, we can still provide you with a paper version of the tour folder, containing :
– A road book containing a detailed day-by-day description of the tour. It also contains information on nature and heritage.
– 1 x 1:25,000 IGN map with route highlighted
– Vouchers to be handed in at the accommodation
– Luggage tags
Your file will be sent to you by post 2 weeks before your departure.
Dates
May 11 to October 26, 2025 No departure on Friday and Saturday
Prices
Below is a list of prices per person for the year 2025. The price depends mainly on the size of your group.
- From 2 to 3 persons: € 525.00
- From 4 to 5 people: € 470.00
- From 6 to 7 people: € 450.00
Single room supplement: + € 90.00 per person
Supplement for 1 single participant: + € 70.00 per person
- Price per person, without baggage transport: € 430.00
The price includes:
- Organization and booking fees
- ½ board accommodation(except dinner on day 1!!)
- The freedom pack (all the documentation needed to complete the tour: maps, descriptions, etc. – in digital format)
- Luggage transportation
The price does not include:
- The drinks
- The means of transport to the meeting place
- Picnics
- Personal expenses and insurance
- Possible visits
- Everything not mentioned in the “Price includes” section.
Extension: (2nd night at Markstein on 1/2 board + route book): + 90 €/person. Must be booked at time of registration “Dossier de Randonnée Papier” option: +25 €.
From
450,00 €
Highlights
- Successive views of the Vosges Massif
- Discovering the high valleys of Alsace and the Vosges
- Luggage transport
In pictures
You may also like our other itineraries
-
Madeira, an extraordinary garden825,00 € -
Cinque Terre770,00 € -
The Dolomites: the must-sees820,00 € -
