Hirnlestein
Hirnlestein sits at 1,643 feet along the Route des Crêtes in the Vosges, with the terrain dropping 381 feet within 600 meters of the overlook. The view faces 120°, roughly toward the southeast, taking in a mix of ponds and terrils (mining spoil heaps) spread across the middle and far distance. Nearby waters include the Plan d'eau de Cernay and Étang du Haertle, both about 3.6 miles out, followed by the Étang de la Poudrière and Étangs du Carrousel around 4.1 miles. Farther out, at roughly 5.4 to 6 miles, the terrils Ouest, Amélie 2, Amélie 1, and Est appear alongside the Plan d'Eau de Reiningue and the Étang des Charbonniers. Because the overlook faces 30 degrees off square to the sunrise direction, early morning light comes in low and angled rather than straight on; sunrise ranges from 05:33 in June to 08:18 in December. This lookout falls between the Chalet Hôtel Du Grand Ballon, to one side, and the Rocher du Hirtzenstein, to the other, along the same byway.
What you’re looking at
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
- Plan d'eau de Cernay937 ftsoutheast · 3.6 mi
- Étang du Haertle902 fteast-southeast · 3.6 mi
- Étang de la Poudrière962 ftsoutheast · 4.1 mi
- Étangs du Carrousel858 fteast · 4.1 mi
- Terril Ouest920 ftsoutheast · 5.4 mi
- Terril Amélie 2866 fteast-southeast · 5.4 mi
- Terril Amélie 1926 fteast-southeast · 5.4 mi
- Plan d'Eau de Reiningue841 ftsoutheast · 5.9 mi
- Étang des Charbonniers816 fteast · 6.0 mi
- Terril Est875 fteast-southeast · 6.0 mi
Light
This overlook faces sunrise — 30° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 06:36 | 18:44 | 18:03 |
| June solstice | 05:33 | 21:34 | 20:46 |
| September equinox | 07:18 | 19:32 | 18:51 |
| December solstice | 08:18 | 16:42 | 15:49 |
Local time (Europe/Paris). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
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How high is Hirnlestein?
Hirnlestein sits at about 1,643 feet (501 m).
What can you see from Hirnlestein?
From Hirnlestein: Plan d'eau de Cernay (SE, 3.6 mi); Étang du Haertle (ESE, 3.6 mi); Étang de la Poudrière (SE, 4.1 mi); Étangs du Carrousel (E, 4.1 mi).
Is Hirnlestein better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. The land falls away from Hirnlestein toward the sunrise, so at sunset the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
What is the next lookout after Hirnlestein?
Rocher du Hirtzenstein is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Hirnlestein.
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