Mountain biking and cycling
|
Hiking ideas
Walk round Gérardmer lake
Durée : 1 h 30
As early as 1911, the idea of creating a path which could go around Gérardmer lake was evoked. The last section was opened to the public in 2001.
Since 2004, the walk has been enriched with panels giving information about the glacial origin of the lake, the wildlife and plants, its history.
Some places, such as the bridge over the Nautical Base or the Lido, give wonderful viewpoints.
Itinerary
Take the Quai du Lac along the landing stages.
Follow the lake up to the swimming-pool/ice-skating/sauna/bowling centre.
You will reach the Parc de Sion to discover the congress hall formed by the Villa Monplaisir and the Espace L.A.C.
Take the footbridge of the Base Nautique and admire the beautiful view.
Near the Roche du Lac, you will leave for a while the close side of the lake to follow the Chemin du Tour du Lac.
At the end of the campsite, take the path on your right leads to the forest. You will join again the lake going along the property situated in Kattendyke cove.
Unfit for push chair and wheelchair 
This walk, as well as twelve others, can be found in the guide « Circuitsde randonnés autour de la Vallée des Lacs » - Tourist Office – 5.00€
The « Saut des Cuves » waterfall
Travel time : 20 min
Starting point : Le saut des Cuves
To go to Le Saut des Cuves from Gérardmer, follow Colmar direction. You will find a place to park before arriving at the roundabout that leads to Saint–Dié or Col de la Schlucht.
Be careful, banks of this walk are dangerous. Keep watch on children.
The « Perles de la Vologne » footpath
Length of time : 3 successive circular walks to the "Pont des Fées" (20 mns) the "Iles Marie Louise" (30 mns), the "Vannes" (1 hour)
Starting point : Le saut des Cuves
To go to Le Saut des Cuves from Gérardmer, follow Colmar direction. You will find a place to park before arriving at the roundabout that leads to Saint–Dié or Col de la Schlucht.
From the car park, cross the bridge and take the forest way called Holveck to "Le Pont des Fées" or "Les Iles Marie-Louise" which are not far, or the "Vannes" , a little further.
This path is suitable for push chairs.
The opposite bank is steep, so, if you have a push chair, it would be better to turn back to join your point of departure.
You'll pass by the "Pierre Charlemagne" if you choose to continue instead of turning round
Details of these walks and other ideas for walks can be found in a guide. Information from the Gérardmer-Xonrupt Tourist Office
The « Pont des Fées » (Fairy Bridge)This stone medieval bridge straddles the Vologne river. The story goes that a fairy lured knights there. After having drunk a potion, they lost their will power and spent the night building the bridge. The real origin of the name "Pont des Fées" comes, we think, from the local name given to the spruce "fie" or "fée"...
The « Iles Marie Louise » (Marie Louise islands) :From the name of a duchess of Lorraine. Beautiful pearls from mussels were found there and made into jewels for the duchess. In 1737, Louis XV's daughters received them as a present when they travelled through the Vosges.
The « Pierre Charlemagne » (the Charlemagne stone) :
The emperor stopped at this stone for a rest during a hunting party but his horse , who wanted to continue, angrily hit the rock with its hoof, leaving its print in the granite.
The Vosges mountain tops
The « Route des Crêtes » (open to traffic from May until November) will take you along the Vosges "Ballons" more than 80 km. It is one of the most beautiful routes in the Vosges mountains.
Unmissable stops :
4 high altitude lakes : the "Lac Vert", the "Lac des Truites", the "Lac Noir" and the "Lac Blanc"
The nature reserve of the "Tanet-Gazon du Faing" : over 505 hectars, it shelters 259 species of animals and insects and 519 species of plants.
The "Col de la Schlucht", the highest pass in the Vosges, at a height of 1,139 m. It links Gérardmer to Munster.
The "Hohneck", second highest summit in the Vosges, culminating at a height of 1,362 m.
The "Markstein", a veritable crossroads where there are many viewpoints.
The "Grand Ballon", the highest summit in the Vosges, at a height of 1,424 m.
The "Vieil Armand", or "Hartmannwillerskopf", the site of a terrible battle during the 1914/1918 war. More than 30,000 French and German soldiers perished here.
You can find all these walks, as well as 350 km marked footpaths in the IGN 25/1000 map, on sale at the Tourist Office
|
|
Office de Tourisme de Gérardmer / Xonrupt Longemer et la Vallée des Lacs 
4 place des Déportés, 88400 Gérardmer 
