Keep Walking is a great association project created by Cécile, Pierre's sister! Her objective: to create improbable encounters during walking weekends that are accessible to all!
We take you on a snowshoeing weekend in the Vosges!
10 participants, sun, snow, good food and lots of fun... Are you ready? It's over here!
Why the Vosges?
Although not as high as the Alps (its highest point is 1,400 metres) , the Vosges Massif is no less beautiful! Only a few hours from Paris, it is an ideal place to go for a breath of fresh air in two or three days.
Its gently sloping peaks, its particular flora and fauna make it a dream place for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, both in summer and winter! We have only tested a part of it but we can't wait to go back... Want to know more? Have a look here.
The start
Meeting point in Paris, Gare de l'Est. Departure by train at 6pm, only 2h15 to reach Epinal! We get our car rented on Drivy and hop, 50 minutes to reach theAuberge du BrabantThe hotel is located at the foot of the ski slopes. Located at the foot of the ski slopes of Brabant, it is perfect for those who love early morning descents!
3h30 from Paris for a dive in the heart of the mountains ... A mere trifle!
We started with a breakfast of champions at the hostel and were back on the road! 25 min later, we reached the Refuge du Sotré our gite for Saturday night.
The Refuge du Sotré: a place apart
The Refuge du Sotré is located at the foot of the Hohneck, at an altitude of 1,200 metres, and offers a breathtaking view of the valley and the Retournemer and Longemer lakes.
It welcomes groups for shorter or longer stays and offers different programmes with a team of qualified guides (sports and handicapped equipment is included): guided hikes, cycling, snowshoeing... Whether they are turnkey over several days or tailored to your specific needs, the activities offered are varied! Do not hesitate to contact the team to find out more.
The refuge offers 10 rooms for 5 people, all accessible (it has the Tourism and Handicap label). In addition to the sports equipment, many other facilities are available on request (lift, shower chairs, etc.). In short, an exceptional welcome for all, able-bodied and disabled alike!
Finally, don' t miss the meals offered by the refuge's cooks... a treat! Snowshoeing makes you hungry, they will know how to satisfy you: local dishes and drinks on the menu, from tartiflette to sauerkraut and the inevitable blueberry pie... You will not know where to turn! Another treat: the freshly baked chocolate bread for breakfast... to die for!
Snowshoeing expeditions
Be well equipped!
Freshly arrived on Saturday morning at the Refuge du Sotré, we are welcomed by Florian - our guide - who will accompany us all weekend! Three excursions are on the programme to make the most of the surroundings!
The whole team quickly put on their snowshoes, and all that remains is to transfer Pierre to his coach: a comfortable seat attached to two skis. Florian is in charge of pushing and steering while our brave companions take turns pulling the team with the help of a harness (yes, when you put it like that it sounds a bit like a stallion... But in the end, we're not that far away)! Thanks to them 
First outing: the Hohneck (3km loop - 1h30)
In just 100 metres we are already in the forest: magical!
We set off in the direction of the Hohneck summit at 1,300 metres. The round shapes of the snow-covered relief give the impression of walking on the moon! We are not the only ones to have had the idea of putting on snowshoes: hikers are swarming on the surrounding summits! Once at the top, the view will make you forget the world. A 360° panorama on the French and Swiss Alps, the Jura and the Vosges chain! Thanks to the exceptional weather, we had the chance to see the Mont Blanc during a well-deserved break at the top, accompanied by a mulled wine... Happiness!
Second outing: the Spitzkoepfe (4km loop - 2h30)
After a more than generous tartiflette, it is very difficult to go back to climbing! Direction the Spitzkoepfe, a chain of ridges in the Vosges massif.
This time, no diving into the forest: we follow the Hohneck for a gradual ascent on the mountain side, between the sledges that criss-cross the slopes.
It is at the end of these ridges that many kite-skiers are pulled by the wind thanks to a sail connected by a harness. The spectacle of the coloured sails on this lunar landscape is striking!
Warning: if you venture out on this hike without a guide, be sure to stay on the marked paths. In winter, many ledges form over the void near the snow-covered paths. Don't get caught up in the tracks of other hikers: the snow is crumbly and you may find yourself in the valley sooner than you would like...
Third outing: the Frankenthal-Missheimle nature reserve (8km loop - 3h)
After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast with local produce, it's time to go out one last time. After walking along the steep slopes where many climbers practice, we enter a forest full of history. During the 1914-1918 war, the border between Germany and France was located here. You will walk in the footsteps of the soldiers in what was once an area of trenches and outposts. In addition to this painful past, the view over the valley between the beech trees is breathtaking; the site has since become a nature reserve.
Once out of the forest, we arrive in a vast clearing where hikers and cross-country skiers mingle. The perfect place to take a break!
After 8 km of hiking, it is time to return to the refuge for a last gargantuan meal! A quiet break on the terrace is a good way to end this weekend on a sunny note...
Some useful armchair information
Taking the train
Have you ever taken a train in a wheelchair? The SNCF offers special reservation services for access to the carriages. It takes a bit of organising, but on the whole the service is pretty well established...
To be sure you can get on and off safely:
- Check the list of stations which have a helpdesk
- Book your tickets by telephone withAccès Plus (you can also book online but you may not be able to benefit from the price advantages to which you are normally entitled...)
- On the day, go to the reception desk at the station at least 30 minutes before departure to make sure you have the necessary assistance: a person will accompany you to your train and help you get on with the necessary equipment depending on the train (removable ramp, lifting platform, etc.)
- Onceon board, check with the conductor that assistance is available at your arrival station
- If assistance is lacking... Ask the other passengers. They are often more than willing to give you a helping hand on the way up or down!
Moving in the snow
Find all our winter equipment tips in our article on our 5 days in the Grand Massif.
Note: for this weekend, the equipment was not very active (hull on skis pushed / pulled by two people)... The ride was very pleasant, but Pierre's arms were not very much used! We'll keep looking to see if more active hiking equipment exists for this context, we'll keep you posted!
Find all the accessibility information on our good addresses and visited sites on jaccede.com!