Tourbière de Machais
Tourbière de Machais sits at 3,413 feet along the Route des Crêtes in the Vosges, facing due west (270°). The land drops 361 feet within 600 meters of the overlook, giving an open view over the terrain below. Ronde Tête rises to the southwest at 0.4 mile, reaching 3,806 feet, while the Collet de l'Étang de la Cuve saddle is visible to the west-northwest at 1.9 miles, at 3,602 feet. Because the overlook faces directly toward the west, it lines up with sunset; on the June solstice the sun sets at 21:36, while on the December solstice it sets much earlier, at 16:42. The approach road closes seasonally from November through April, so this stop is only reachable outside that window. It falls along the route between Rainkopf and Rocher du Hirtzenstein.
What you’re looking at
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
- Ronde Tête3,806 ftsouthwest · 0.4 mi
- Collet de l’Étang de la Cuve3,602 ftwest-northwest · 1.9 mi
Light
This overlook faces sunset — 0° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 06:37 | 18:44 | 18:04 |
| June solstice | 05:33 | 21:36 | 20:47 |
| September equinox | 07:19 | 19:32 | 18:52 |
| December solstice | 08:20 | 16:42 | 15:48 |
Local time (Europe/Paris). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
The approach closes seasonally. Source: OpenStreetMap (access:conditional=no @ (nov-apr)). Check the road authority before travelling.
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How high is Tourbière de Machais?
Tourbière de Machais sits at about 3,413 feet (1,040 m).
What can you see from Tourbière de Machais?
From Tourbière de Machais: Ronde Tête (SW, 0.4 mi); Collet de l’Étang de la Cuve (WNW, 1.9 mi).
Is Tourbière de Machais better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunset. The land falls away from Tourbière de Machais toward the sunset, so at sunrise the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
Is the road to Tourbière de Machais open year-round?
No. The approach to Tourbière de Machais closes seasonally. The source records: access:conditional=no @ (nov-apr). Check the managing agency before setting out.
What is the next lookout after Tourbière de Machais?
Rocher du Hirtzenstein is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Tourbière de Machais.
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