The 5 pillars of a successful stay in the mountains of Alsace
5 experiences to enjoy
Discover Alsace’s mountains in a different way
Looking for a bit of height during your stay in Alsace? Head for the mid-mountain landscapes. Here, forests open onto panoramic ridges, glacial lakes reflect the peaks and farm inns invite you to take a gourmet break.
From the Crest Road to Schnepfenried resort, via the shores of Lac Blanc, this part of the Vosges Moutains reveals a wilder Alsace deeply rooted in nature.
Hiking in the hills
Imagine yourself on a mountain trail in the morning, when the air is still cool and the forest is quiet. As you go along, the first lake appears between the fir trees, then another a little further on.
The 4 lakes hike takes you to discover Lac Blanc, Lac Noir, Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet. The 17-kilometer route alternates between forest passages, rocky ridges and unobstructed views of the Alsatian side of the Vosges massif and the Alsace plain.
If you prefer a shorter stroll, the link between Lac Noir and Lac du Forlet (6.6 km) allows you to enjoy the special atmosphere of these mountain lakes.
As a reminder, even if the water is tempting on hot days, swimming is forbidden in many of the high-altitude lakes.
Spend a sensational day on the summits
Once on the summits, it’s hard to stand still. Mountain resorts become real playgrounds.
At the Schnepfenried resort, settle into a buoy and let yourself slide down the Tuby-Gliss track. Turn after turn, gaining speed… the laughter often comes very quickly.
At the Lac Blanc resort, a number of activities await you: climb trees on an accrobranche (tree climbing) course, ride a zip line, walk barefoot on a sensory trail or go sledging on the Tricky-Track with the mountains as a backdrop. The ideal way to alternate sensations and breaks in the scenery.
Taste the traditional marcaire meal
After a few kilometers of walking or a morning rich with activities, you’ll probably enjoy a gourmet break.
Push open the door of a farmhouse inn (ferme-auberge) and take a seat at the table. Here, you’ll often be served the traditional ” marcaire” meal, a time-honored tradition in the Vosges Mountains.
Soup opens the meal, followed by meat pie and a plate of smoked meat accompanied by roïgabrageldis, braised potatoes with onions and bacon. Then come the desserts: Siasskass flavored with kirsch or blueberry tart, often enjoyed with a view of the pastures around the farm. In short, you’ll have a full belly!
A little extra: Why not try Munster, the cheese with a strong personality from the Munster Valley?
Appreciating landscapes
In the mountains, there are moments that simply invite you to stop and contemplate.
Perhaps at the summit of the Hohneck, where you can see far into the mountains. Or on the crests of Lac Blanc, where the water appears below among the rocks and fir trees.
At Petit Ballon, the Munster valley stretches out before your eyes. An ideal place to take a break, breathe in the air from the heights and observe the landscapes as they change with the light.
Enjoy the snow
If you come in winter, the mid-range mountains offer a different atmosphere. The forests are covered in snow, the peaks are quieter and the resorts come alive.
At Lac Blanc, Schnepfenried, Tanet or Gaschney resorts, you can enjoy the ski slopes, go sledging or snowshoeing through snow-covered landscapes.
Before setting off for the summits, be sure to check snow conditions and resort opening times. Between November and March, winter equipment is mandatory on the roads of the Vosges mountains.
