Col de la Schlucht, Mountain pass in Vosges Mountains, France

Col de la Schlucht is a mountain pass in the Vosges at 1139 meters, linking Munster and Gérardmer between Alsace and Lorraine via the D417 road. Two ski lifts ascend toward Trois Fours at 1246 meters, serving blue-level slopes with parking and dining options nearby.

Between 1871 and 1918, this pass marked the strategic border between France and Germany following the Treaty of Frankfurt. After World War I, it returned to French territory and became a key transportation link in the region.

The name Schlucht comes from German and refers to the gorge formation typical of this Vosges section. You can see this German-French heritage reflected in the local architecture, dialect, and customs of the surrounding villages.

The road is well-maintained but can be snowy in winter, requiring careful driving. Bring warm clothing and be prepared for conditions that change significantly depending on the season.

From 1903 to the First World War, the old Montabey farm-marcairie on the pass's southern slope housed an altitude garden attached to the Nancy botanical garden. It was rebuilt further away at Haut Chitelet in 1954. A discovery space on the first floor of the Tétras 1139 building, created by the Vosges departmental council in 2019, presents the pass's history.