In the forest of Illwald in Sélestat

This is a lovely walk in the plains of the river Ill, which will let you to escape for two hours from the bustle of this area popular with tourists. In summer you'll be nice and cool, thanks to the many streams and towering trees.

Technical sheet

37896
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 2 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 2 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 174 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 171 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave the cars in the small car park near the roundabout (the crossroads of the D424 and the D159 on the south side) (1).

Follow Sentier de l’Ill, marked with a red ring towards the south, across the fields. It runs along the Hollockgraben, which is a drainage ditch of the river Ill.
At the bridge, we reach the course of the river Ill (3). Do not cross the bridge, but stay on the marked trail that veers left.
The trail then enters the Ill Forest. You can admire the vegetation that is unique to this the alluvial forest: alder, ash, unusually tall oak trees.
We pass a hut where the trail starts out at right angles to the right. (4) Do not try to take the shortcut through the woods, it leads to wooden bridges in poor condition. Always follow the markings (red rings).

In the woods, after about 600 m, the path heads off at a right angle to the left (5) and crosses several rivers and drainage ditches (6).
After a kilometre, arrive at a crossroads indicating Illhausern to the right and Sélestat to the left. (7) Turn left, then continue straight.
We pass the Chapelle du Chêne (shelter) where you can take a break (8).
Then take the path back to Sélestat.
The way out of the forest, pass opposite the pumping station on your right and reach the D424. Reach the car park turning left and taking the bike path for a few hundred metres. (9)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 173 m - Car park below the roundabout
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 171 m - Ill path, along the Hollockgraben
  3. 2 : km 1.53 - alt. 171 m - Do not cross the bridge over the > - Ill (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 3.08 - alt. 172 m - Cabane. Turn right.
  5. 4 : km 3.7 - alt. 172 m - Change of direction. Left at 90°.
  6. 5 : km 4.15 - alt. 172 m - Water crossings and drainage paths
  7. 6 : km 4.83 - alt. 174 m - Intersection. Turn left.
  8. 7 : km 6.54 - alt. 172 m - Chapelle du Chêne.
  9. 8 : km 8.45 - alt. 172 m - intersection with the D424.
  10. S/E : km 8.65 - alt. 173 m - Departure car park

Practical information

This is an alluvial forest and can be flooded in winter. In summer, the roads are passable because they are gravelled.
The entire route is well marked (red ring), which helps not to get lost.

Learn about the tree species of the Illwald before leaving so you can recognise them. This forest is of particular interest for lovers of beautiful trees.

Even in the month of August you will barely see anyone meets during the two-hour walk, maybe one or two joggers. It is an exceptional spot in this very touristy region. There are other variants in the same area. See tourist offices.
If it has rained there will likely be mosquitoes - bring repellent.

In the nearby area

Visit Sélestat with its beautiful Romanesque church.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 55 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
virgule
virgule

Hello, I suppose there has been some logging since I published this route. At the time, there were a lot of beautiful trees.

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User 25672397
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of walk : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

We'd chosen this route because it was presented as welcome in summer (coolness guaranteed). We were very disappointed because 3/4 of the route is in the open, so in full sun, which was the case on the day we did it. What's more, the route only goes around the forest without ever really crossing it. From the point of view of interest, it's a wide trail, with various watercourses to be sure, but there are no access points and it's not very refreshing.

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maurito67
maurito67

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

I was expecting more small paths, less beautiful hundred-year-old oaks cut down.

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Claude R5.
Claude R5.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Watch out for the mud on rainy days.

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Bruno1953
Bruno1953

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Easy walk.
Remarkable trees in the forest.

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Nali
Nali

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk through a lot of forest, the only downside was that we had brought a snack but there were no benches along the way, which was a bit of a shame. The only place where there were benches was at the chapel almost at the end of the route. It's a walk you should do with the family and with a pushchair.

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Balluc2073
Balluc2073

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Extraordinary welcome in the field
field at the start of the route more than 50 storks this route is really easy and calm
Despite a rather wild group of electric scooters

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deneken
deneken

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

meadow under woodland calm ideal for finding peace and quiet place for cyclists and pedestrians flat circuit therefore for everyone

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Malika
Malika
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Despite the fact that the start of the walk isn't particularly interesting, it's still a beautiful walk. Easy and accessible to all.
At the car park at the start, a signpost showing the route of the trail would be a plus.

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didier.lasserre68
didier.lasserre68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It's impossible to take the wrong route, as most of the circuit corresponds to the circular walk, which is well signposted. Car park at the start. A lovely 8 km walk in 2 hours 15 minutes, but beware of possible mosquito attacks as the area is very damp!

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Steff67
Steff67

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

On 01/01/2023, the path flooded between point 2 and point 3, making it impossible to continue. Too bad

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YorkshireTyke42
YorkshireTyke42

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A nice walk at the start of a break - flat so good to loosen up a bit. Good directions and enjoyable in the Autumn but a little sameness towards the end

GAESSLER Monique
GAESSLER Monique

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A short, easy and pleasant walk.
However, when it's very hot, there's a lot of sun.
I was expecting more shade and cooler temperatures.

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EISENECKER
EISENECKER

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Lovely hike, meeting deer and birds.
The path was fortunately frozen, otherwise very very muddy.

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diver68
diver68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Easy walk when the meadows were flooded, with lots of birds. Very pleasant.

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