Markstein

30 June 2015:  We hiked today from Trois Fours to Markstein.  The GR5 drops from the crest of the Vosges to pass through Mittlach; it then climbs back up to the crest.  As in 1989, we saw no point in this detour down to the valley and back to the crest.  We followed variants that remained on the crest.

There was a "ferme-auberge" along our route this morning.  We could have a "repas marcaire" for lunch, instead of our usual picnic assembled from the breakfast buffet or made for us by hotel or chambres d'hôtes.  A repas marcaire is a traditional meal that is served by ferme-auberges in the Hautes-Vosges.  It includes a "tourte de la vallée" (smoked pork in a pastry crust), "roïgabrageldi" (potatoes cooked in butter with onions) and cheese.  Very copious, as the description alone suggests!  We enjoyed mini-versions of this famous meal – and then resumed the hike under a blazing sun to burn off a few of those calories!

We had reserved a room with demi-pension (dinner and breakfast included) at the Hôtel Wolf in Markstein, where the day's culinary delights continued:  The set dinner turned out to be a lavish barbecue on their terrace.  It was an excellent conclusion to a good day of hiking – and the second month of our hike.

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Our first destination: Le Hohneck.

Views along the crest trail:

Here, we look back to Le Hohneck:

The ferme-auberge where we had lunch:

Le repas marcaire:

There's some shade ahead!

Cattle (including a bull) on our trail:

A group of young children came by as we passed the cattle.  Their teacher took advantage of the opportunity to explain how one can distinguish a bull (taureau) from a cow (vache). 

Approaching Markstein:

Barbecue dinner on the hotel's terrace: