Long-distance hiking · France / LEI-231010791
Parcours Trail : Le Gaschney - Circuit des Marcaires
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From Le Gaschney to the Hohneck ridges
The published start is the Gaschney car park in Muhlbach-sur-Munster. The description leads through Hinterschallern before climbing to Hohneck and following the ridge. This establishes the route’s rhythm: gaining height before dropping back into the valleys.
High mountain pastures and nearby farm inns provide the setting for the Marcaires theme, rooted in the area’s pastoral life. An inn shown near the route should not be treated as a confirmed open stop.
Firstmiss, Altenweiher and Mittlach
At Firstmiss, the route leaves the ridge and descends towards Lake Altenweiher, then continues to Mittlach. Plan this descent as a substantial part of the day: reaching the valley does not mark the end of the walk.
The description then includes a climb to Schnepfenried followed by a descent to Metzeral. Keep energy in reserve for that second climb and the return towards Le Gaschney.
Returning through Metzeral and the lakes
The final part climbs from Metzeral past lakes to regain the Gaschney area. The published text does not name all these lakes: use the associated track to identify the precise passages rather than replacing it with another lake circuit.
The checked GPX contains one segment measuring 34.389 km. Both ends lie in the Gaschney area, approximately 37 m apart; identify their access from the car park. No connector has been added to the file.
Following changing waymarks
This circuit combines several paths in the Club Vosgien network. Symbols change between Hinterschallern, Hohneck, Altenweiher, Mittlach and Schnepfenried, so there is no single mark to follow throughout.
At junctions, compare the next named landmark, the local waymark and the track. Identify the upcoming direction changes before leaving each main landmark.
Planning a long walking day
The published and measured distances agree, but the source describes trail running. Estimate your walking time using the profile, your uphill and downhill pace and your breaks; no certified hiking duration is provided here.
Choose conditions appropriate for walking the ridges and check local closures before setting out. The tourist listing was updated on 24 August 2022: it documents the route without confirming that every path is currently open.
Notable places
At a glance
- Checked GPX length
- 34.389 km · one segment, with no added connector.
- Published start
- Gaschney car park · Muhlbach-sur-Munster
- Published starting elevation
- 1100 m · tourist-listing value, separate from a GPX elevation calculation.
- Landmarks in the description
- Hinterschallern · Hohneck · Firstmiss · Altenweiher · Mittlach · Schnepfenried · Metzeral
- Source activity
- Trail-running route; walking time must be planned separately.
- Path network
- Mainly Club Vosgien waymarked paths, according to the producer.
- Source and update
- Office de tourisme de la vallée de Munster · DATAtourisme · 24 August 2022.
- Start
- Muhlbach-sur-Munster
Metrics calculated from the Trailboard track
Plan your hike
Plan the day’s progression
Set target passing times at Hohneck, Mittlach, Schnepfenried and Metzeral. Allow for the climb after Mittlach and the final return from Metzeral; do not use a trail-running time as a walking estimate.
Office de tourisme de la vallée de Munster · DATAtourisme · 2022-08-24 ↗Arrange stops and supplies
Locate useful farm inns along the track and confirm their opening days before relying on a meal or water. Carry enough for your chosen section if these stops are closed; this listing guarantees no resupply.
Office de tourisme de la vallée de Munster · DATAtourisme · 2022-08-24 ↗Check access and restrictions
Locate both GPX ends at Le Gaschney and consult current trail-closure information. Adapt the plan to the weather and actual conditions on the high-level passages.
Office de tourisme de la vallée de Munster · DATAtourisme · 2026-11-02 ↗Plan your hike
Save the map and GPX offline: the route involves several changes of waymark.
Official sources and resources
GPX officiel · Circuit des Marcaires · Office de tourisme de la vallée de Munster · DATAtourisme · Licence Ouverte 2.0
Public GPX linked by the tourist office in its DATAtourisme listing, updated on 24 August 2022 and distributed under Licence Ouverte 2.0. Geometric check on 2 November 2026: one 34.389 km segment, starting and finishing in the Gaschney area with endpoints approximately 37 m apart. No connector added. File continuity certifies neither current trail conditions nor a walking time.
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