Tips for hiking in the Vosges
Overlooking the Alsace plain, the Vosges massif stretches from north to south for about 100 km, not counting the Northern Vosges, north of Saverne, which is more of a forest massif set on a few hills than a real mountain massif. These Northern Vosges are nevertheless of interest to hikers. In the broadest sense, the Vosges include a large number of hiking trails.
This "small" massif is the result of the collapse of the Rhine rift or trench. In reaction, the edges of the rift rose upwards to form the Vosges and the Black Forest in Germany. In the south, the Vosges are only isolated from the Jura by the Belfort Gap which marks the passage between Alsace and Franche-Comté, or more broadly between the Rhône and the Rhine.
The Vosges are organised around a main ridge whose altitude often exceeds 1300m. It reaches 1424m at the Grand Globe, the summit of the Vosges. On the Alsatian side, the valleys are deep: one passes quickly from the vineyards bordering the plain to the first pine forests, then to the high altitude forests and stubble fields. The contrast is striking and is notably the result of marked climatic differences over short distances: it rains on average 3 to 4 times more in Honeck than in Colmar, which is only 25 km away. We can say that the Vosges protect Alsace from the Atlantic disturbances and the rain that accompanies them. On the Lorraine side, the contrasts are less strong, the reliefs are gentler and gradually descend into shallow plateaus and valleys.
The Vosges is a real paradise for hikers. The trails are numerous and well marked by the Vosges club. You will not miss the circles, rectangles, triangles and other geometric shapes in different colours. A particular choice has been made when selecting the marked routes: they avoid, where possible, the forest paths in favour of much more pleasant small trails.
Even if most routes do not present any particular risk, you should always be alert. There is a risk of falling on certain passages. Beware of avalanches in winter near the main ridge. Finally, always be aware of the weather, which can change rapidly: in summer, it can go from a big blue sky to a thunderstorm in less than an hour; in winter, wind, fog and snow can make your hike very difficult. Although the Vosges are small mountains, they are still mountains in their own right.
In addition to the peaks, vineyards and pleasant valleys, you will also find many lakes and some peat bogs in the Vosges, which can be a great target for a hike. You can also cross the massif from north to south in a few days on the GR5 and spend the night in farm inns. Under no circumstances should you miss out on a marcaire meal.
