Grandfontaine: Hiking, Winter Sports and History

The forest at the Donon is accessible from Grandfontaine. Around the Donon, you’ll find a variety of options: marked ski trails, hiking and themed trails, and archaeological and military-history sites. When planning your stay, start by considering the season and the activities you have in mind. When choosing a route, focus on its specific length, starting point and any seasonal access restrictions.

Ski Area and Summer Activities

The ski area at the Donon has 40 km of marked trails across five forest routes. They are located at elevations of between 730 and 950 m. In summer, the routes can be used for mountain biking. Access to the ski area is free. Before your visit, check local notices in case access rules have changed.

Hiking in the Donon Area

The Circuit rando D04 is 11 km long and follows the southern fortified German defensive line at the Donon, built during the 1914–1918 war. It starts at the car park of the military cemetery at the Donon. The trail is fully accessible only from July to November; seasonal access is restricted to protect wildlife. If you plan to take this route, check access before setting out.

The Circuit rando D05: Cascade de la Crache starts at the Col du Donon and is 15 km long. This circular hike leads to the Cascade de la Crache and offers the chance to discover the Dolmen de la Hazelle. Compared with the 11 km D04, this loop is four kilometres longer; its stated destinations are the waterfall and the dolmen.

The themed trail “Le Donon, montagne sacrée” starts at the Maison forestière du Haut Donon and is rated as moderately difficult. As the operator may update the difficulty rating, check it before setting out. There is also an archaeological discovery trail at the Donon, marked with illustrated commentary. Alongside the named circular hikes, you’ll find trails with their own thematic focus.

Landscape and History

At 1,009 m, the Massif du Donon is the highest point in the Lower Vosges. On its summit stands a successful pastiche of an ancient temple, built under Napoleon III. The building draws on the form of an ancient temple, and dates from the reign of Napoleon III. Here, landscape and architecture come together, while the archaeological discovery trail, with its illustrated commentary, offers another way to explore the Donon’s themes.

The history of mining is also part of Grandfontaine’s story: the discovery of iron ore in the mountain led to the exploration and opening of iron mines in Grandfontaine-Framont. Military history, by contrast, features on the Circuit rando D04, which follows the fortified German defensive line. These are distinct historical themes to consider when planning: mining history in Grandfontaine-Framont, and a route tracing the legacy of the 1914–1918 war at the Donon.

When choosing your travel dates, pay particular attention to the D04’s restricted full access from July to November. For other hikes, the specific starting points are useful: D05 starts at the Col du Donon, and the themed trail at the Maison forestière du Haut Donon. This lets you choose according to each trail’s starting point and theme.

Discover more destinations: Siewiller, Dinsheim-sur-Bruche, Rottelsheim, Lembach, Lampertheim, Blaesheim, Bergbieten, Saulxures

For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.