The Lac Blanc barefoot trail is a 1.2km family walk covered entirely without shoes, over a natural surface where sand, gravel, stones, wood, and bark follow one another along the path. It sits in Orbey, in the Haut-Rhin, near the Lac Blanc 1200 resort, between the Route des Vins d’Alsace and the Route des Crêtes. The activity pairs well with a hiking stay, adding a calmer interlude suited to both children and adults.
A 1.2km Sensory Trail
The trail alternates sand, gravel, small stones, rocks, flagstones, wood, bark, and pine cones along its 1.2km route, according to the Val d’Argent tourist office. Playful, educational activity stations punctuate the walk, designed to introduce the Vosges forest at a slower pace than a brisk hike. Allow 1h30 to 2h30 for the walk, activity stations included, according to the operator.
At the entrance, a shoe locker and a water point make it easy to leave your shoes behind and rinse your feet once the walk is over. The activity welcomes families, organized groups (from 25 people, by reservation), and school groups.
Walking barefoot across such varied textures, from fine gravel to pine cones to flagstones and wood, simply changes how a forest path feels underfoot. There’s no difficulty rating or stopwatch here: everyone moves at their own pace, pauses at the stations that catch their interest, and continues on when ready.
2026 Prices and Opening Hours
The standard 2026 rate is 7.50 euros per adult over 16, 6 euros per child aged 3 to 16, and 22 euros for a family pass covering 2 adults and 2 children. A reduced rate (6.50 euros for adults, 5.50 euros for children) applies on presentation of proof of eligibility, for holders of a CE+ card, students, and groups. An annual pass is also available, at 20 euros for an adult and 13 euros for a child, valid from April 29 to October 1 on weekdays: worth considering if you’re coming back several times during the season or passing through the area regularly.
The 2026 season runs from Friday May 1 to Sunday September 27. Opening days and the time of the last departure change from one period to the next, with daily opening kept for the height of summer: check the hours published by Lac Blanc Aventures before setting off.
On weekdays outside July and August, the trail can still welcome groups of 25 people or more, by reservation with Lac Blanc Aventures (03 89 71 28 72).
How to Get to Lac Blanc from La Bresse
From La Bresse, the route to Lac Blanc runs through Anould, Plainfaing, and the Col du Bonhomme, before continuing toward Orbey and the Lac Blanc 1200 resort. If you’re considering the Route des Crêtes for the trip, check whether it’s open before setting off: it is closed in winter, from mid-November to early April, according to the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace.
Without a car, a summer shuttle connects Colmar to the Lac Blanc dam and the Col du Calvaire, on weekends in June and September, then daily in July and August. It doesn’t run directly to La Bresse, but it’s an option for those staying on the Alsace side or combining the barefoot walk with a stop in Colmar.
For anyone planning a trip to La Bresse from Paris, Lac Blanc fits easily into a stay, alongside a more classic day of hiking in the massif.
A Break Between Two Hikes
The barefoot trail doesn’t replace a hike, it complements one. After a demanding route like the Sentier des Roches, which calls for sure footing on exposed sections, this walk offers the opposite: a slow pace, easy terrain, and a sensory discovery within reach from a very young age.
For families, the day pairs just as well with the tree-top adventure course in La Bresse, for children who want to burn off energy before or after the barefoot walk. The two activities call for different levels of physical effort, which makes it easy to alternate depending on the group’s age and mood.
Bring a towel to dry your feet and clothing suited to the day’s weather, since the walk takes place entirely outdoors. At Lac Blanc 1200, the trail is under a five-minute walk from the Auberge du Blancrupt car park, and dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the price of the Lac Blanc barefoot trail in 2026?
The standard rate is 7.50 euros per adult over 16, 6 euros per child aged 3 to 16, and 22 euros for a family pass covering 2 adults and 2 children. A reduced rate (6.50 euros for adults, 5.50 euros for children) applies on presentation of proof of eligibility, for holders of a CE+ card, students, and groups.
When is the barefoot trail open in 2026?
From Friday May 1 to Sunday September 27, 2026. Opening days and the time of the last departure vary by period, with daily opening kept for the height of summer: check the hours published by Lac Blanc Aventures before setting off.
How do you get to Lac Blanc from La Bresse?
The route runs through Anould, Plainfaing, and the Col du Bonhomme, before continuing toward Orbey and the Lac Blanc 1200 resort, where the trail is located. If you plan to take the Route des Crêtes, check whether it is open first: it is closed in winter, from mid-November to early April, according to the Collectivité européenne d'Alsace.