A winter off the beaten track in the Vosges Massif

There's something magical about discovering the Vosges Massif in the snow. Read Margot and Julien's story from the Hello Travelers travel blog for inspiration for your next trip to the Vosges mountains in winter, with its nature walks and off-the-beaten-track Christmas markets.

Discovering the Massif des Vosges in winter

At the beginning of December, we spent 3 days in Alsace, enjoying the unique nature of the Massif des Vosges and the Christmas markets. When we arrived, we discovered that the snow had already completely covered the pine forests, giving us a backdrop worthy of Finnish Lapland. It's another reminder that you don't have to go far to feel like you're in harmony with nature.

Lac Blanc and Lac Noir in the Kaysersberg valley

On our first day, we put down our bags in the Lac Blanc resort, in a small, fully-equipped studio in an ideal location. On the way, we discovered Lac Blanc, which will remain our favourite feature of the holiday. Imagine a deep blue lake nestling in the mountains, surrounded by fir trees, and you've got a picture postcard of the Vosges mountains in winter! It is not advisable to go up to the Belmont observatory in winter, but the view from the beach at the foot of the car park is splendid.

Just a short drive away, Lac Noir is also well worth a visit. This glacial lake lies at an altitude of 955 metres. A footpath leads around it, with lovely views along the way. The good news is that the trail is accessible in winter, even without snowshoes! It's the perfect place to take a walk and recharge your batteries in the heart of nature.

Snowshoe trekking in the Vosges mountains

To discover the magic of the Vosges forests under the snow, we went on a snowshoe hike starting from the Col de la Schlucht. We were accompanied by Laurent Cahon, mountain guide and founder of the Hautes Vosges Mountain Office. Although there are a large number of signposted snowshoe trails in the Vosges Massif, we 100% recommend booking an outing with a guide to discover the mountains in a different way. We've discovered some absolutely magical landscapes thanks to confidential itineraries that can only be followed with a mountain guide who knows the area like the back of his hand.

For several hours, we walked among the snow-covered fir trees, looking for animal tracks and the little details that make nature so beautiful. It was a magical, timeless experience that we'll remember for a long time. Then we warmed up by the fire in a real Mongolian yurt. A change of scenery guaranteed!
Depending on what you'd like to do and your level of fitness, you can opt for a half-day walk or for a more original concept proposed by Laurent, such as a "snowshoes and raclette" or "snowshoes and champagne" walk for New Year's Eve, for example.

The Gaschney resort in the Munster Valley

The Gaschney resort is a must-see in the Munster Valley. If you like ski touring, tobogganing or snowshoeing, this is the place for you! And for walkers, it's also a place we recommend. We walked up to the heights of the resort and enjoyed a sublime 360° view. From the car park, follow the path up towards the Ferme Auberge du Schiessroth. It's an easy climb along a groomed path. After a 20-minute walk, if the sky is clear, the view is breathtaking!

Visit the Christmas cellars

What would a holiday in Alsace be without a visit to a wine cellar? As tradition dictates, we came down from the mountains to take part in a visit to a "Christmas cellar". In December, many winegrowers open their doors in a festive atmosphere to offer original guided tours and share a convivial moment.
For our part, we chose the Domaine Jean-Baptiste Adam in Ammerschwihr, for a visit on the theme of the legends and anecdotes surrounding the estate's old oak tuns. A very enjoyable visit, accompanied by a tasting of their best wines.

Marvel at traditional Christmas markets

Alsace in December inevitably means Christmas markets. Even if the region is known for its major must-sees like Colmar, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, we wanted to discover a more intimate and confidential market. So we opted for the one in Munster.
It's the quintessential mountain Christmas market, where the locals gather to share a mulled wine by the fire or taste the traditional Munster cheese soup. The market isn't very big, but it's well worth a visit if you're in the area. It is also accessible from Colmar thanks to the Christmas shuttles that run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. You can take advantage of the market to try some of Alsace's sweet specialities, such as Manala (a must-try and so good), Ogey and many others.