Tour of the Most Beautiful Lakes in the Vosges

Meet at 11:50am with your Captain Martin and the rest of the group, in front of the Munster train station or Metzeral (depending on your departure date).

After a briefing and final instructions, you'll head directly into a hiking adventure from the station forecourt. You'll begin your itinerary between villages, meadows and orchards, before gradually gaining the forests and then the chaumes, these vast open expanses shaped by cattle grazing.

A native Alsatian and expert on the massif, Captain Martin guides you through the Vosges that he has been exploring for years. Along the way, he shares with you the history and particularities of this region, while ensuring the group maintains a good pace. You'll have a picnic break in the heart of nature, to enjoy the setting and take time to settle into this hiking experience.

Late in the afternoon, you'll arrive at the refuge which will be your base camp for these 4 days. This is aperitif time, which Captain Martin organizes with care: depending on the group's mood, you'll share a tarte flambée or a tasting of local cheeses.

You'll then head to the kitchen, all together, under Martin's coordination. On the menu: fleischnaka, goulash, spaetzles au Munster gratin or other typical Alsatian specialities. The evening unfolds in a friendly atmosphere, perfect for sharing and discovering the flavours of the region.

Activity: 12 km, 4.5 hours of hiking and 650m elevation gain

You wake up at the lodge and start the day with an Alsatian breakfast, complete with the famous kougelhopf.

A beautiful day of hiking in the heart of the Vosges awaits you, with the discovery of several lakes as your theme. You set off on an adventure crossing lush forests and rocky cliffs, until you reach a hidden gem that Martin particularly loves. This corner of the Vosges stands out for its wild and unspoiled character.

You then take a lunch break at a farm inn, an opportunity to continue discovering local specialties and to share a pleasant moment around the table.

In the afternoon, you reach another lake by following beautiful ridge lines. Throughout the hike, the Vosges peaks offer sweeping panoramas over the valley and enhance this sense of immersion in the mountains. At the end of the day, you descend back to the lodge, with the satisfaction of a day well spent.

Back at the base camp, you prepare the dinner together using local products, under the guidance of Captain Martin who is keeping the menu a surprise. The evening continues at the lodge, in a warm atmosphere, with an evening under the stars to conclude this day in the Vosges.

Activity: 15km, 5 hours of hiking and 600m of elevation gain

For this new day of hiking around the Vosgian lakes, the itinerary adapts to current conditions, but one thing is certain: Martin will take you to discover some beautiful viewpoints. From a high vantage point, you enjoy a clear view over several lakes. You take a picnic break in the forest or by the water, taking time to regain your strength and appreciate the surroundings.

Throughout the day, Captain Martin shares with you many anecdotes about this mountain region that he knows intimately. You then continue your hike through this landscape of lakes, forests and ridges, before gradually making your way back down to the refuge in late afternoon.

The evening begins with an aperitif, followed by dinner taken together as a group, with a typically Alsatian dish prepared by the neighboring inn. These moments of conviviality and sharing at the refuge are an opportunity to discuss the day, strengthen bonds within the group and keep a record of this immersion in the Vosges.

Activity: 16 km, 5h30 of hiking and 570m of elevation gain

You pack your belongings back into your backpacks and begin your final hike, which gradually takes you back toward the valley. This closing excursion leads you along a few ridges, offering beautiful panoramic views of deep forests and villages below. You take a picnic break in the heart of nature, to enjoy the mountain setting one last time.

Along the way, you pass by the farm where Captain Martin usually stocks up. This is an opportunity, for those who wish, to buy local cheese: munster and gendarmes are among the recommended specialties.

You then continue your final descent into the valley by crossing impressive remnants of the First World War, which bear witness to the history of this territory. At the end of the day, you arrive in Munster or Metzeral, around 4pm, with many memories of these four days of hiking in the heart of the Vosges landscapes.

Activity: 13 km, 4h30 of hiking, 150 m of elevation gain and 650 m of elevation loss