Kastelberg and Le Hohneck

This superb stretch of high open Vosges ridge between two (three if you wish) of its summits is a tale of two very different flanks. It is walkable as a circuit, with various options.

While this can be started from Le Hohneck with its extensive parking, Walkopedia started from the Breitsouzer buildings on the Route des Cretes, just below Kastelberg summit.

Climb the track south-west to a low wooded col. Here you can turn north-eastish on the GR5 to traverse the open meadows of Kastelberg's westen flanks or climb to its open grassy summit with its huge views both ways along the high Vosges ridge, then drop steadily towards Le Hohneck.

Or, better, follow the track on to descend gently for a km or so then turn left onto the spectacular Sentier des Neves. This path winds just above the cliffs and chasms of the eastern flanks, with ever-beautiful and thrilling views out across forested lower slopes and pretty valleys to the lowlands of the Rhine and the surprisingly high Black Forest beyond. 

The Sentier eventually joins the GR at a col just below Hohneck. A short, steep slog gets you to the buildings, carpark and inevitable crowds on the summit at 1,363m. The views are magnificent here - albeit thoroughly shared.

You have various options here. You can return on the GR for an around 3 hours circuit. Or drop to the col to the east - look out for WW1 entrenchments on the smaller direct trail - and climb steeply for 10 minutes to the less-shared Petit Hohneck summit – other than with disconcertingly friendly, clanking cattle in Summer if you are lucky (keep an eye open for bulls with them, though) – for views out eastwards across the deep valley directly below. A gorgeous place for your picnic.

To return, you can circle from the low col up round the northern Hohneck flanks, to meet the GR5 and turn south to cross the very different gentle grassy western slopes of the ridge, with huge views over receding forested ridges dropping into Lorraine.

The full circuit took Walkopedia 5 hours including indulgent picnic and other stops. It could be done in 3.5hrs.

A real joy, barely reduced by the crowds around Hohneck.

See our Vosges Mountains page for more general and practical information and photos.

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