b

Massif du Hohneck & Kastelberg

Alsace  >  France

Located in the heart of the Vosges at the height of Colmar, the third highest point, the Hohneck massif (1363 m) has a remarkable alpine character.

Ajouté* par Martin Grienenberger
Dernière actualisation 27 novembre 2024

Description

Located in the heart of the Vosges at the height of Colmar, the third highest point after the Grand Ballon and the Storckenkopf, the Hohneck massif (1363 m) is typical of the old forests and altitude meadows of the Vosges. This subalpine meadow (or thatch) gives way rather abruptly to steep slopes facing east which testify to the past glacial erosion. North of the summit opens the Frankenthal-Missheimle cirque (classified Nature Reserve) bordered by multiple rocky bars, and to the south by the Wormspel circus with gentler slopes, undisputed refuge of chamois.

It's one of the most richest ornithological site of the region. Nesting species in the meadows are Alouette des champs, Pipit farlouse, Pipit spioncelle and Traquet motteux. The screes that dot the southern slopes of the cirques and the rock walls could house a Bruant fou and Accenteur alpin (both rare). With a little luck, the Faucon pèlerin and Grand Corbeau are also visible. In rocky environments, Tichodrome échelette and Hirondelle de rochers sometimes appear. Grand-duc d'Europe is also possible in the screes.

The forest areas at the foot of the circus or between the Schlucht pass and the Hohneck summit are home to classic birds: Merle à plastron, and Venturon montagnard on the fringe, Mésange noire, Mésange huppée and Mésange boréale, Cassenoix moucheté (rare), Bec-croisé des sapins, Pic noir, Pic épeiche, Pouillot siffleur ... Thousands of passerines (finches, thrushes, pipits ...) fly over the Vosges passes during their migration.

Late August is the best time to see Pluvier guignard on its stopover. The low vegetation at the Hohneck and Kastelberg summits is indeed favorable to the post-nuptial migratory stopover of this shorebird.

Because of the great diversity of species present, each season is interesting. A day in may or june is a good choice and an be combined with Tanet-Gazon du Faing.

Access to the sites is theoretically possible all year round, but the heavy winter snow prevents regular use of the paths leading to the ridges, and the dangers of avalanches can be prohibitive.

Détails

Accès

From Gérardmer or Munster, join the Col de la Schlucht by the D 417. Then follow the Route des Crêtes (D 430). You then have to reach the top of the Hohneck where there is a parking lot (from the hotel). Explore the high stubble by taking one of the many paths that run through it, such as the one that leads to the Schaeferthal pass. To discover the rock birds of the Wormspel circus, take the marked “blue triangle” path which descends to the Schiessrothried lake. You can get around the lake by taking the Fond-du-Cirque trail. You must observe early in the morning, especially between May and September, to avoid the many tourists.

Terrain et Habitat

Forêt , Montagnes , Prairie

Conditions

Montagneux , Rocailleux

Boucle

Oui

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Peut être utile

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Meilleure période pour une visite

Migration automnale , Printemps

Itinéraire

Route non pavée

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Intense

Accessible via

A pied

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Non

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

Carte

Top 5 oiseaux

Autres oiseaux que vous pouvez observer ici

Afficher plus d'oiseaux Afficher moins d'oiseaux
Afficher plus de photos Afficher moins de photos

Commentaires

Écrire un commentaire
Évaluer ce spot