Lake Longemer
Two kilometres long and fringed with meadows, Lake Longemer feels wilder than Gérardmer. The path around it takes an hour and a half, alternating between shoreline and woodland. Swimming is possible in summer from the managed beach, and the water is a little cooler — which is a real pleasure in the heat.
Lake Retournemer
Higher up the valley, Retournemer is a small deep-green lake hemmed in beneath the cliffs and fed by springs. Swimming is not allowed, but the viewpoint from the road just above is one of the most photographed in the Vosges. The Saut des Cuves, a granite waterfall a few minutes' walk away, is right next door.
Hiking in the valley
Many paths climb from the valley up to the ridges: the ascent of the Hohneck via the Roche du Diable, the tour of the three lakes, or the Sentier des Roches, a spectacular route cut into the cliff between the Schlucht and the Frankenthal. That last one calls for some experience and good boots, but it remains one of the finest walks in the range.
