A former Franco-German border until 1918, Col de la Schlucht links the Munster valley to the Lorraine side of the Vosges via a historic road, today an essential waypoint on the Route des Crêtes.
The profile from Munster
From Munster, it’s 15.3 km for 690 m of elevation gain, averaging 4.5% with no real technical difficulty. The road climbs steadily through fir and beech forests typical of the range, with a few steeper sections in the final two kilometres before the pass.
A crossroads at the top of the ridge
At the pass, 1,139 m up, the road meets the Route des Crêtes and offers open views over the Munster valley on one side and the Lorraine slope on the other. Boundary markers and old fortification remains recall the site’s strategic role during the First World War.
Getting the ride right
The steady gradient allows a consistent rhythm without any sharp jumps, but it can feel noticeably cooler at the top even in summer, as the road tops out above 1,100 m in a largely wooded, shaded setting.
When to go
May to October, as the road is generally clear during this window. The Vosges can hold snow at altitude into April depending on the year.
Good to know
The summit gathers several inns and food stops, fairly unusual for a pass at this altitude, making it a convenient break before continuing on towards Hohneck or Col du Bonhomme.
