Circuit des Lacs

Stages
Eglise de Masevaux
Auberge de Graber - Gite d'étape
Auberge du Gazon Vert-gîte d'étape
Auberge du Langenberg
Caracteristics

Difficulty ratingDifficult

Distance (in km) 56.6

Elevation gain + (in m) 2388

Elevation loss - (in m) 2388

Length in Days (3.5 km/h) 4

Length in Days/Nights (3.5 km/h) 3

Length (3.5 km/h) - hiking on a 3 days tour: 3h30

along the way
Day Nr. 1
GPS data - 47.77616,6.99577
Town centre of Masevaux
GPS data - 47.77472,6.99740

Masevaux, is the central place of the Doller valley and is an idyllic place: the Grange Burcklé is a good location for music and theater events; the Catholic church performs each year the Passion of Jesus in German language; the Church of St. Martin organizes

...
Lake Lachtelweiher
GPS data - 47.77745,6.93067

The Lachtelweiher is the most southern lake of the Vosges. According to geologists the rocks that form the natural dam of the lake came from a landslide.

According to a legend, the stones on the shore turn into gold. The stone of the famous philosopher, lie

...
Doller source
GPS data - 47.78074,6.90848
The Doller source is situated at a heigth of 922m. The first catchment of water was in 1906. Since then, the water supplies the city of Mulhouse and its surroundings.
Schlumpf ski resort
GPS data - 47.79339,6.92267

The Schlumpf ski resort at Dolleren, is located between 675m and 1012m altitude and has three slopes:
- La Verdure, a red slope with an average gradient of 30%
- La Dolleroise, a green slope
- A toboggan run

...
Graber Inn
GPS data - 47.79471,6.90612

On the sunny side
The Graber hostel is located on the southern side of the Masevaux valley, nearby the Doller source.The Bittel familiy took over the lodge to preserve local traditions.

The architecture is an example of farms from the late 19th century. Th

...
Day Nr. 2
Neuweiher Lakes
GPS data - 47.83278,6.90887

Both of the Neuweiher lakes are the result of glacier activity. Throughout their history, the lakes were drained and used as a meadow. Then the dikes were built again for the needs of the metallurgical industry below in the valley. Therefore there were named N

...
 Mines of Giromagny
GPS data - 47.74203,6.82497
The coal mine path is situated at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace in Giromagny and shows the history of the copper silver and lead mining.
Relaxing on the lake front of lake perches
GPS data - 47.84626,6.92312

The Lake Perches, also called Sternsee (lake of the stars), is located in an old glacial cirque at 1000 meters altitude. Its name isn't due to the fish of the same name but to a transmission error. It should have been called “Bers”, the name of a pasture nearb

...
Auberge gite du Gazon Vert
GPS data - 47.85219,6.92745
An exceptional natural site
The Gazon Vert lodge is situated at 928m in a greenery surrounding. The traditional construction has been preserved as well as the view from above over the Storckensohn valley. Gazon Vert is different from the other lodges of the H...
Day Nr. 3
Relaxing on the lake front of lake perches
GPS data - 47.84626,6.92312

The Lake Perches, also called Sternsee (lake of the stars), is located in an old glacial cirque at 1000 meters altitude. Its name isn't due to the fish of the same name but to a transmission error. It should have been called “Bers”, the name of a pasture nearb

...
Neuweiher lake
GPS data - 47.83837,6.91355
The path of the three lakes is situated nearby Gresson and Haute-Bers rigdges and runs past the Neuweiher lake and the Perches lake.
Neuweiher Lakes
GPS data - 47.83278,6.90887

Both of the Neuweiher lakes are the result of glacier activity. Throughout their history, the lakes were drained and used as a meadow. Then the dikes were built again for the needs of the metallurgical industry below in the valley. Therefore there were named N

...
Alfled Lake
GPS data - 47.81718,6.87116

Overlooking the Doller valley the Alfeld Lake is dammed since 1883, to supply lower levels with water. His origin is due to glacial erosion. A path leads to a hut near a cascade.

Langenberg Inn
GPS data - 47.80657,6.85904


Overlooking the Doller
The inn of Langenberg is on the Alsatian side of the Ballon d'Alsace, nearby Franche-Comté (Belfort is at 30 km) and the Lorraine Region (Remiremont is at 40km). The place offers a panoramic view over the Vallée de Masevaux and Sewen.

...
Day Nr. 4
Descending on a roll air cable
GPS data - 47.80099,6.84867

At the Ballon d'Alsace, the Acrobranch Park offers 12 different obstacle courses: monkey bridges, Tarzan lianas ... The Acro-ball is the highlight of the adventure park. It is a giant inflatable ball that rolls down the slopes in the grass or in the snow.

...
Virgin of Alsace at the Ballon
GPS data - 47.80267,6.84885

Located 1247m above sea level, the Ballon d'Alsace offers in summer: hiking, biking, the so called Cani-rando (accompanied by a dog), paragliding, climbing trees (acrobranch)

In winter it is one of the largest ski resorts of the Vosges and a snow park, more

...
Ballon d'Alsace, Jeanne d'Arc, statue
GPS data - 47.82055,6.83450

The Ballon d'Alsace Ballon extends over the regions of Lorraine, Franche-Comte and Alsace. The Ballon d'Alsace is located in the Regional Natural Park of Ballons des Vosges as well as in the the nature reserve of the Ballons Comtois. For over 30 years this pea

...
Alfled Lake
GPS data - 47.81718,6.87116

Overlooking the Doller valley the Alfeld Lake is dammed since 1883, to supply lower levels with water. His origin is due to glacial erosion. A path leads to a hut near a cascade.

Lake Sewen
GPS data - 47.81156,6.89914

Sewen Lake is characteristic of the ancient glacial valleys. The lake is actually transforming into marshland. Beavers were reintroduced here recently in their natural habitat.

Virgin of Alsace at Niederbruck
GPS data - 47.78882,6.96701

The Virgin of Alsace (Vierge d'Alsace) stands on the Eichstein ledge and is watching over Niederbruck and the Doller valley. It was sculpted in 1923 by Antoine Bourdelle in gray stone. Before setting up the sculpture it was presented at the Autumn Paris Fair.

...
Town centre of Masevaux
GPS data - 47.77472,6.99740

Masevaux, is the central place of the Doller valley and is an idyllic place: the Grange Burcklé is a good location for music and theater events; the Catholic church performs each year the Passion of Jesus in German language; the Church of St. Martin organizes

...
GPS data - 47.77616,6.99577