Orbey and the Wettstein Pass from Camping Labaroche

Very close to Camping Labaroche, here’s a rich route where you can breathe in the benefits of the deep, rejuvenating countryside. Near the GR532 route towards the Wettstein Pass, you’ll find the memorial of the Battle of Linge, where you can visit the museum before enjoying the comfort of the traditional farm-inns in these preserved areas of the Vosges mountains.

Natural atmospheres and rural charm

Discover Orbey: Village, Valleys, and Ponds

Nestled in the heart of a side valley, Orbey opens up to a string of hamlets, ponds, and pastures where you immediately feel the proximity of the mountains. The lively and practical village is an ideal starting point for exploring small country roads and reaching pleasant trailheads. Right outside the center, the paths delve into the wooded Rimbachers; you pass through shaded areas where the silence is only broken by a stream or the wind in the spruces. On these routes, the elevation gain remains gradual: perfect for a morning warm-up before reaching more open areas at higher altitudes. Families will appreciate the short loops around the ponds and the easy-to-walk forest edges, with many spots perfect for a photo break or a snack.

Gaining a little altitude, the views open up to the surrounding hills and, on clear days, to the plain of Alsace. The light changes throughout the day, offering contrasting atmospheres between cool undergrowth and bright meadows. Depending on the season, the forest edge flora colors the roadsides and hedges, while the farms evoke the pastoral rhythm typical of the Vosges. In the late afternoon, you’ll gladly return to the village for a gourmet stop or to pick up your car from a shaded parking lot before heading back to the campsite. To enrich your discovery, combine this first approach with a stop on the nearby Route des Lacs, or a more cultural visit to the villages of the Alsace Wine Route: the sequence offers a beautiful contrast between forests, waters, and vineyards.

Vosges Heights in the Heart of Remembrance

The Wettstein Pass: Access, Panoramas, and Memory

The Wettstein Pass is one of those gateways to the high Vosges ridge where you immediately feel the altitude: the air is crisper, the horizon widens, and forests sometimes give way to open pastures. People come here for the panoramas but also for the history: the ridge bears many remnants and places of contemplation linked to the battles of the early 20th century. The routes around the pass alternate between gentle forest tracks and narrower paths; they provide access to natural viewpoints, flowery forest edges in spring, and open pastures in summer. The relief’s orientation often offers a play of shadows and light much appreciated by photographers, while the breeze makes summer walks particularly pleasant.

For a harmonious discovery, you can create a “nature & memory” loop: a gradual ascent along the forest edge, passing a viewpoint, then returning through an area dotted with remnants (traces of parapets, platforms, discreet signage). Distances are flexible according to your time and level, with family-friendly variations and more challenging extensions. In winter or wet weather, opt for cleated shoes: some sections become slippery. Signage everywhere encourages respect for the sites, whether it’s grazing areas, fences, or memorial sectors. After the walk, linking to the Linge Massif memorial sites page provides useful insights to connect the landscapes with historical events, before returning to the calm of the campsite.

Prepare for your lake hike

Itinerary Ideas Starting from the Campsite

From Camping Labaroche, several day trip scenarios work well. “Discovery” version: morning departure towards Orbey, a short loop around the ponds and forest edges, late lunch in the valley, then an afternoon ascent to the Wettstein Pass to enjoy the views and an easy walk on the ridge. “Nature & heritage” version: morning on the ridge with a loop between forests and pastures, a viewpoint break, then a visit to a nearby memorial site and return through the valley. “Grand landscape” version: connection with the Route des Lacs (Lac Blanc, Lac Noir) for a contrasting panorama of waters, forests, and rocks, before a peaceful return to the campsite in the late afternoon. Depending on the season, you can also combine a short hike with an end-of-day trip on the nearby Wine Route, to blend walking, heritage, and responsible tasting.

In any case, prepare for your outing as you would for medium-altitude mountains: water, a light windbreaker, appropriate footwear, and check the weather. Marked trails make navigation easier, but caution is still advised in case of fog or rain. If you’re traveling with family, alternate outdoor time with regular breaks, and favor loops with escape routes to the road. To complete your stay, consider our Hohnack Castle, war sites, and Munster pages: they offer complementary ideas to vary the experiences without adding many kilometers. Our team is available to provide simple maps, realistic distances, and variations adapted to your level and the season.