The Vosges mountain range in eastern France is a natural beauty nestled against the Swiss and German borders. Gradients are gentle and the hikes are accessible to all; it's a paradise for families who love nature and the great outdoors. Read up on our ideas for family walks and hikes, which are easy for the little ones and sometimes even suitable for prams. Here's to a beautiful, free day out!
Run through the meadows near Donon
The 'Little Princes' Circuit' is name enough to get any toddler excited. They can run around in the meadows here, where cows and horses graze peacefully. In the distance you can see the silhouette of Donon, an ancient Celtic and Gallo-Roman place of worship whose heavy stone pillars recall Asterix. To explore the site, you can enjoy an hour and a half's walk (4 km), or a longer circuit of 5.5 km taking an extra hour. The choice is yours!
Find the Saut de la Bourrique waterfall near Gérardmer
This route runs along a pretty river that winds between the trees, with a lovely little stone bridge spanning it: it's like being in the enchanted forest of Merlin! Then the river becomes a stream, and around a corner, you stumble upon the Saut de la Bourrique waterfall. A footbridge and wooden staircase allow you to get up high to admire it. This is an easy 45-minute stroll, full of pretty surprises to motivate little walkers along the way.
Play goblins in the Luttenbach Forest
A small forest path, beautiful clearings, a stream to dip your feet into in hot weather, the freshness and shade of lots of trees, benches to rest on and a picnic table halfway along for a well-deserved break: the forest of Luttenbach is perfect for a family adventure. The 90-minute route (4.6 km) passes cows and horses - and you might spot a few elves or goblins too. Keep your eyes open!
Adventure in the forest near La Bresse
On the outskirts of the Bol d'Air Park and accessible with prams, the paths along this short walk have treasures in store for any self-respecting adventurer: cabins on stilts, zip lines, beams, barefoot paths, swings and other wooden equipment for climbing on and jumping off. Who will be the most agile on the beam? Three kilometres - and you can spend an hour or three, as you wish.
Admire the Blanchemer Lake
After a short stroll to get to the lake, families have two options: laze under the trees and enjoy the scenery, or walk a little longer to go around the water (allow 40 minutes). You can also reach the site by car: once arrived, the walk around is suitable for prams. A stream flows into the lake: why not build a dam? With a few pieces of wood, it can keep children busy for hours!
Hide in the vines and look for storks in Thierenbach
Less than half an hour's drive from Mulhouse, this is a bucolic haven of peace ideal for taking in the air. The walk begins in the vineyards, before joining the Notre-Dame basilica of Thierenbach, a major pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary. You then reach the village of Jungholtz, housing a 17th-century Jewish cemetery, one of the largest in Alsace. Once the little ones get bored of history, the walk continues in the forest, before the highlight of the show: the stork park! A walk of about an hour and 45 minutes (6 km).
View the Alps from the Chaume du Drumont
Listen to the sound of cowbells at the start of this walk on the ridges of the Chaume du Drumont. Departing from a farm-inn, you climb to an orientation platform (don't panic, it's only 40 metres up!) from which the view is breathtaking and the peaks of the Alps appear on the horizon. In clear weather, you may spot paragliders overhead. Nature stretches in all directions as far as the eye can see - why not test the kids' knowledge of compass points?
By Caroline Revol-Maurel
Journalist passionate about wild nature, travel and rock. As happy to write about bearded vultures as Lou Reed. Often accompanied by my two best critics, my daughters.
