Linge Battlefield

At the Gebraech Parking, cross the road. An explanatory sign "Historical route 1914-1918 Hohrodberg - Linge" gives the details of the route. Opposite you see a German blockhouse marked No. 1 (The route numbers correspond to the explanatory markers). Take the red triangle path that climbs towards the Glasborn farm-inn. On the left, a beautiful view of the Petite Vallée, the Tanet Rocks, and the Wurtzelstein. At a junction, continue on the red triangle path, keeping to the right (Sign "The high pastures"). To your right, on the edge of the forest, you can see two blockhouses and the remains of the German trench that connected Barrenkopf to Hohrodberg.

   Upon arriving at the Glasborn farm-inn, take the paved road that climbs on the left. Continue on the road until the commemorative monument. Return about twenty meters back and take the path on the left that joins the yellow rectangle (GR 532). Pass the chicane and climb into the meadow, located between the two front lines, still marked 100 years later by shell holes. You arrive at the Courtine crossroads in front of the German trenches where there is a display case with various projectiles.

   Take left towards Schratzmaennele, then twenty meters further, follow "Baerenstall via Schratzmaennele", then immediately right (yellow rectangle and small gray arrows of the Historical route). Further on, leave the Schratzmaennele arrow on the right (this is the way back) but continue straight on the unmarked path. This slope was occupied from July 1915 by the French. German trenches. You arrive at a cross path with two historical route signs. Take left up to the Linge Memorial Museum which presents an interesting exhibition on the 14-18 war (paid entrance giving access to restored trenches). Opposite the museum, a monument pays tribute to the foot chasseurs.

   Return on your path (direction "Schratzmaennele - Two historic quarries") and this time go straight at the next junction. You arrive at the summit of Schratzmaennele at 1045 m. Take right the path that follows the first German lines towards "Barrenkopf Glasborn GR 532 yellow rectangle". Large quarry, German strongpoint. On the left a small trail lets you discover it from below. The sandstone extracted from this quarry was used in the 19th century for the construction of the Protestant church of Munster. Concrete summit fort equipped with a machine gun and which was the main obstacle to French attacks. A few meters further on the left, a larger structure was intended to shelter men and their officers during bombings. It overlooks the Small quarry that you will discover by the descending path on the left. A sign there recounts the fierce battles that took place. Continue down a fairly steep descent: at the bottom you fall back on your outward path which you take to the left - yellow rectangle - to return to the Courtine crossroads.

   At this crossroads take the blue rectangle "Barrenkopf - Hohrodberg - Munster GR 531". Explanatory sign at the entrance to Barrenkopf wood. Further on, take a short detour to the right to see the trench with assault stairs (20). You reach a wide path that you follow (blue rectangle).

At the exit of the forest after a chicane you arrive in a meadow and discover a magnificent view of the Munster Valley. Descend into the meadow to the paved road. Cross it towards the orientation table below. Descend the path on the left to the Col du Wahlenstall where German field guns were installed.

Turn back and 20 meters further take left (towards a bench) the red triangle path that brings you back to your parking.