A Day in the Vosges
One of the reasons we love living at Les Écrins is that you can spend the morning properly earning tired legs… and the afternoon doing absolutely nothing about it. This itinerary is our idea of a perfect mountain day: outdoors in the morning, slow down in the afternoon, hot tub or massage to finish.
At a glance
- Best for Hikers, trail runners, cyclists & outdoor lovers
- Time needed 1 full day
- Driving Little to none, depending on your chosen activity
- Best season Spring to autumn for hiking & cycling
- From Les Écrins Trails from the doorstep · Lac Blanc just 15 minutes away
Choose your adventure
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The Three Lakes Hike
A classic circuit around Lac Blanc
From Les Écrins to the Col du Calvaire · approx. 10 km / 6 miles · 15 minutes by car
For keen walkers, the Three Lakes circuit is one of the classic hikes around Lac Blanc.
Starting from the Col du Calvaire, the route takes you through protected mountain landscapes to Lac Blanc, Lac Noir and Lac des Truites, the highest lake in the Vosges Massif. The changing landscape of forest, open mountain terrain, lakes and viewpoints makes this much more than a walk around three stretches of water.
- Distance
- 12.6 km / 7.8 miles
- Walking time
- approx. 4 hours, excluding breaks
- Elevation gain
- +597 m / 1,959 ft
- Level
- Challenging, for experienced walkers
Longer optionA 14.2 km / 8.8 miles version (+702 m / 2,303 ft) makes a more complete circuit of the lakes and offers additional viewpoints.
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Sentier des Roches
One of the iconic mountain trails of the Vosges
From Les Écrins to the Col de la Schlucht · approx. 24 km / 15 miles · 30 minutes by car
For experienced hikers looking for something more dramatic, the Sentier des Roches is one of the most spectacular trails in the region.
It calls for steady feet: sections are steep and exposed, and conditions matter. We suggest it for appropriately equipped walkers, after checking the weather and trail conditions.
- Distance
- approx. 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
- Walking time
- approx. 4–5 hours, excluding breaks
- Elevation gain
- approx. +600 m / 1,970 ft
- Level
- Challenging, for sure-footed hikers
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The Three Castles
Forest trails, medieval ruins and vineyard views
From Les Écrins to Ribeauvillé · approx. 22 km / 13.5 miles · 30 minutes by car
For something combining walking with a little Alsatian history, the Three Castles route above Ribeauvillé climbs through the forest to three medieval castle ruins, with views over the Alsace plain and vineyards. Along the way, you may even come across a few curious goats!
- Distance
- approx. 8 km / 5 miles
- Walking time
- approx. 3 hours, excluding breaks
- Elevation gain
- approx. +450 m / 1,475 ft
- Level
- Moderate, with some steep sections
Our tipOnce you are back down, take your time in Ribeauvillé itself. Wander through the old streets, settle into a café for a well-earned drink, or restore your energy in a traditional Alsatian restaurant, where the cooking is hearty, generous and exactly what you want after a morning on the trails.
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Lac Blanc Bike Park
Mountain biking right on our doorstep
From Les Écrins · approx. 12 km / 7.5 miles · 15 minutes by car
If two wheels are more your thing, the Lac Blanc Bike Park offers downhill, freeride and more accessible trails for different ability levels, with equipment and protective gear available to hire on site. A full-face helmet is mandatory.
Bringing your own bikes?Les Écrins has a secure, locked garage where you can store them overnight.
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Trail du Pays Welche
Start your race from Les Écrins
One trail-running event deserves a special mention: the Trail du Pays Welche, held in Orbey. It takes place in summer (in recent editions, in July) and offers several races through the surrounding Vosges landscape.
- Short trail
- 10 km / 6.2 miles · +440 m
- Mid trail
- 26 km / 16 miles · +1,088 m
- Long trail
- 50 km / 31 miles · +2,113 m
2026 programme, which also included a 50 km relay.
We regularly welcome guests coming to Orbey specifically for the event, and staying at Les Écrins makes race morning particularly easy: you are already in the village, so you can leave directly from the house. Your car has its own allocated parking space here, too.
Race morningEarly starts and a leisurely breakfast can be tricky to combine, so just let us know your schedule: whenever possible, we are happy to adapt breakfast times for guests taking part in sporting events.
Slow everything down
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Back to Les Écrins
Recovery is part of the training too
Back at the house, the rest of the day can be wonderfully slow.
Have a shower, put your feet up, read in the garden or simply let the afternoon drift by. The outdoor hot tub will be waiting when you’re ready, with views towards the mountains behind the house.
And if your legs need a little more attention after the trails, we can also help arrange a sports massage with one of the independent practitioners we work with, subject to availability.
