Lac Banc is a glacial lake in the High Vosges Mountains in the municipality of Orbey.

The lake gets its name from the white sand at the bottom of the lake. It is a beautiful hike with tough climbs.

• Length of walk is 4 kilometers.
• Duration 2.5 to 3 hours.
• Altitude difference 230 meters.
• Mountaineering boots category A or B.
• Bring plenty of food and drink.
• Hiking map 3718OT Colmar – Kaysersberg.

Lac Blanc hiking trail

After an overnight stay at the municipal campground in Orbey, I was at the starting point, the parking lot at Lac Blanc at 1055 meters, at 8:30 am.

At the parking lot, there is an information board about Lac Blanc and the trails you can hike.

Parking Lac Blanc

Lac Blanc information board.

Snake Warning.

At the beginning of the trail, you are warned about snakes. For example, don’t dig into piles of rocks and wear high shoes is the advice.

The first kilometer is also the spiciest with lots of climbing and scrambling. Some steel cables and handrails were installed on the path for additional handholding.

Climbing over the rocks.

Steel cables for extra grip.

The climbing and scrambling is soon rewarded with stunning views of Orbey and of Lac Blanc.

View in the direction of Orbey.

View over Lac Blanc. On the right is the parking lot.

A little more brisk climbing and you will reach Rocher Hans.

There is a beautiful legend about Rocher Hans, a woodcutter, the devil and love, you can read it here.
Atop the rock Rocher Hans is a statue of the Virgin Mary. The night before my hike, it had rained heavily. The entire hike I watched the clouds roll down from Gazon du Faing over the ridge 100 meters above Lac Blanc. 

Rocher Hans.

Mary statue on Rocher Hans.

Rocher Hans and view of Lac Blanc.

After Rocher Hans, you are treated to another path full of boulders. It is sometimes searching for route markers. The markers can be found on trees, as well as on rocks.

Rocks with route markers.

You then arrive at the junction to the Belmont observatory viewpoint. You can follow the trail further to Lac Noir and Lac des Truites bringing the total length of the hike to 12 kilometers. I did not turn left, I continued my path by going straight.In Google Maps the route is visible, however, you need to download the map in advance.

Turn left to observatory Belmont, Lac Noir and Lac des Truites.

Path after the fork Lac noir,

The highest point of the route is at 1285 meters. By now I am walking in the clouds and the path is fine.
I followed the trail right to the ridge above Lac Blanc. You can also walk the trail straight to GR 5.

Head in the clouds. In the middle the parking lot.

Walking along the ridge toward Gazon du Faing, the rolling clouds continue to fascinate.

Direction of Gazon du Faing.

At Gazon du Faing, you can choose to follow the ridge or the GR 5. I chose the GR 5. A short stretch on a dirt path through low scrub.At the end of the Gazon du Faing, the descent begins, interspersed with wide forest paths and steep descents with slippery boulders. From the bank, the trail leads through the forest with occasional short climbs and descents. The last dozen meters you walk on a path next to the D-road towards the parking lot. Opposite the parking lot, you can have a nice meal at Le Mille Mètres restaurant and recover from the hike.

Gazon du Faing.

The GR 5 over Gazon du Faing.

The descent is about to begin.

Halfway down the descent.

The shore of Lac Blanc.

Bridge in the forest,