Hike to the Hohneck in the Vosges Mountains

We begin our hike from the Hohneck car park, located right next to the Hohneck Hotel-Restaurant. We put on our fleece jackets because, despite the sun already high in the blue sky, the fresh air is accompanied by a moderate wind.

From the first few meters, we are impressed by the 360° view offered by the Hohneck.

We begin our hike by descending the trail towards the small Hohneck. Below, we have a magnificent view of the Schiessrothried lake. This former glacial lake, covering 5.6 hectares, is located along the GR 5. It's the ideal bivouac spot in the heart of nature during a multi-day hike.

We then take the path towards the summit of the Little Hohneck. No one else on the horizon, we are alone contemplating this lush nature. Finally, if we don't count the birds, butterflies and other insects.

At the summit, we discover the ski lifts of the Petit Hohneck and the Hinterschallern, both part of the Le Gaschney – Petit Hohneck ski area. These are currently closed for the summer season.

We turn around at the summit and descend. At the intersection of Schaefferthal, we take the corridor path that leads back up to the summit and the Hohneck car park. Along the way, we observe a female kestrel at mealtime.

The wind blows strongly on this slope but does not prevent us from admiring, one last time, the view of the Lorraine valley.

Despite the elevation gain, this Hohneck hike is easy and accessible to people who are used to walking. However, remember to wear good shoes as the paths are rocky in places.

Hohneck is certainly the best place to see chamois in the Vosges Mountains. During our hike above, we were lucky enough to see one cross our path just a few meters from the summit (and the start of our hike). A few meters lower, on the top of a ridge, we were able to observe the entire herd. There were more than twenty chamois, adults and young, basking in the sun between the rocks.

To increase your chances of encountering chamois, consider prioritizing sunrise and sunset. They are much more active during these times. For more information, we recommend reading the Vosges Tourism article, which is very comprehensive.

⚠️ Chamois remain wild animals. Respect them by keeping a good distance and observing them in silence.

We hope this article about the Hohneck in the Vosges Mountains will be helpful and inspire your future trips. Don't hesitate to tell us what you thought in the comments.