Storkenkopf, Mountain summit in Haut-Rhin, France.
Storkenkopf is the second-highest summit of the Vosges Mountains, rising to 1,366 metres near the Grand Ballon in Haut-Rhin. Its wooded slopes, seen here without leaves, carry patches of snow on the upper right flank below the rounded top. The summit is split between the municipalities of Saint-Amarin, Geishouse and Lautenbachzell.
The mountain territory spans across Saint-Amarin, Geishouse, and Lautenbachzell, which developed their communities around this natural landmark. The German place name reflects the historical ties of this mountain region to Germanic culture.
Storkenkopf means "storks' head" in German and in Alsatian, the Germanic speech long used in this part of the Vosges. The name is a linguistic marker of the Alsace region's Germanic heritage rather than a reference to any bird found on the summit.
The summit is reached on foot from the Col du Haag (1,233 m) on the Route des Crêtes, via a forest service road about 2 km long. The GR 5 long-distance trail crosses the mountain's southern flank, so the approach can be combined with a through-hike. The Ferme du Haag, near the top, also provides accommodation.
The summit is the second-highest in the Vosges at 1,366 metres, just below the Grand Ballon. The GR 5 long-distance trail crosses its southern flank, so walkers on that route pass the mountain without necessarily climbing to the top.
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