What you will experience

Climb to the Hohneck (1363 m) and, on a clear day, you can see the Swiss Alps and Mont Blanc from the ridge.

Cross the Frankenthal reserve, between glacial cirques, chamois and ancient peat bogs.

Spend the night at the Mountain hut at Sotré (1200 m) and identify constellations and nebulae in a sky free of light pollution.

Walk the crests of the Wurzelstein and overlook the Alsace plain, listening to your guide recount the secrets of the battles of the First World War.

After crossing the ridges overlooking the Munster valley and the Black Forest, share a meal at the Steinwasen farmhouse inn, to the sound of your guide's accordion.

Itinerary

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1
DAY1/ 3
- D-·300m
  descent
- D+·600m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·18km
  KM covered
We'll meet at 10am at the Col de la Schlucht, where your guide Joseph, aka Seppala, "little Joseph" in Alsatian, will welcome you. After introductions, we'll set off for a first immersion in the Vosges mountains. The trail leads to the crests and rocks of Wurzelstein, offering panoramic views over the Alsace plain.

Along the way, Joseph will share some historical anecdotes about the First World War, which left its mark on these peaks. We'll have a picnic on the heights, before continuing on to the Missheimle peat bog, a remnant of the Ice Age. We then follow the GR5 back to the pass.

At the end of the day, a transfer will take us to the Mountain hut du Sotré (1200 m) to settle in and enjoy a hot mountain meal. If the skies are clear, Joseph will introduce you to astronomy on a night-time outing. He'll share his passion for the stars and tell you the stories behind the constellations!

Note: Don't forget to pack a picnic lunch for your first day!

The guides who will lead your adventure

Joseph

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

A mountain leader, mountain bike instructor and accordionist, I grew up in the Munster Valley before moving on to other parts of France, then the world and finally the Savoyard Alps, to realise that Alsace is even more beautiful when you come back to it. As a lover of my region, I invite you to discover it together along the most beautiful paths, between mountains, peaks and vineyards.

Find out more about Joseph

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: Throughout your stay, you'll be guided by Joseph, an experienced guide with a passion for the region.

Accommodation: You will spend two nights in a typical mountain hut.

Meals: All meals are included, from the evening meal on day 1 to the last lunch, which will be served in a typical local restaurant.

An introduction to observing the night sky: Constellations, planets and celestial stories will be revealed to you under the clear skies of the Vosges.

Not included

Picnic on Day 1.

Drinks at the Mountain hut and the Steinwasen farmhouse inn.

Local transfers (Days 1 and 3).

Transport to the meeting point.

Any personal expenses you may have.

Anything not mentioned in "What the price includes".

What level should you expect

Level 1

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

You should be able to walk 3 to 5 hours a day over distances of 8 to 13 km, with an average positive Ascent of 500 m.
You can carry a backpack weighing 5 to 7 kg for a day (you'll be sleeping in the same place every night).
You're comfortable sleeping in shared rooms, enjoying convivial meals and socialising around the fire or under the stars.
You have no medical contraindications to hiking.

Getting there

Start: Lake Gérardmer (10h00)

End: Lake Gérardmer (16h00)

Transport

You can take the train to the Col de la Schlucht, but first take the train to Strasbourg.

Departure station > Strasbourg station

From Strasbourg, take a TER to Colmar (direction Basel SBB).

Strasbourg station > Colmar station (31 min)

At Colmar, get on the TER to Munster (direction Metzeral).

Colmar station > Munster station (31 min)

Once you arrive in Munster, take the bus (Fluo 13, direction Gérardmer) to go straight to the Col de la Schlucht.

Stop MUNSTER - Station > Stop LE VALTIN - Col de la Schlucht (29 min)

Plan your journey (carpooling, train, etc.) in the most economical and environmentally-friendly way with Tictactrip.

The Col de la Schlucht (88230 Le Valtin, France) is accessible by car and you can leave your vehicle in a car park.

If you don't have a car, you should know that we're encouraging car-pooling between participants by creating a WhatsApp group 15 days before departure: an opportunity to get to know each other before you even start your expedition!

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

Frequently asked questions

How comfortable is the Mountain hut?

For this expedition, you will sleep for 2 nights in a comfortable Mountain hut in a shared room for 4 or 5 people. You'll be provided with a blanket, pillow, electrical sockets and private access to a bathroom and toilet facilities.

Will we have to carry our rucksack the whole way?

Yes, but these should not exceed 5 to 7 kg as you will be sleeping in a comfortable Mountain hut with everything you need taken care of.

How is on-site transport organised?

Each participant must provide a vehicle for short transfers. Car-pooling between group members is encouraged for greater conviviality and convenience.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful brea some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.

35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.

10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.

25% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.

1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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