Alsace walks

Looking for a varied hike with different terrain? Then look no further than the Three Lakes Hike. Rooted footpaths, forest tracks, uneven terrain, crossing the Gazon du Faing, Lac Noir, Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites (also known as Lac du Forlet) and, on a clear day, a diversion to the Belmont Rocher observatory or Rocher de Hans. A lovely hike to do in fine weather. It's better for the scenery.

This short hike on trails marked by the Club Vosgien has in the first instance views of the valley of Munster, and also a view of the peaks of the Vosges. The many picnic opportunities around the Lac des Truites or Lac Forlet lakes, the trout spotting opportunities, as well the welcoming farmhouse make for an enjoyable outing.

It's a nice walk that visits the three castles of Ribeauvillé at a slightly different angle from the traditional walk.

A short hike up one of the most famous peaks in the Vosges du Nord, famous for its Gallo-Roman remains and from where you can enjoy a wide panorama. The ascent is more gradual and less busy than the descent.

The cave dwellings of Grauftal and the castle of La Petite Pierre.

In the Doller valley, this walk will let you discover the lakes of Neuweiher and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Vosges. It's an easy walk and accessible to anyone.

A walk around Markstein on a typical Vosges ridge. This route has all the ingredients for a great hike in the Vosges mountains, including panoramic views of the peaks and valleys, well-marked trails laid out by the Club Vosgien, including over thatch, and visits to a number of farm inns.

A beautiful hike that takes you up to the “Gazons”, the famous pastures of the Hautes Vosges, and along the steep slopes overlooking the magnificent cirques where the lakes of Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet lie. All of this is situated at an altitude and in landscapes that are reminiscent of the Alps.

This hike will take us on a day-long journey to discover some of the most beautiful lakes in the Vosges, four of which are nestled in remarkable glacial cirques.

A beautiful circular walk from Andlau, accessible to all. The circuit passes through vineyards at the start, then takes you to the Haut-Andlau and Spesbourg castles. There are beautiful views along the route (Kastelberg - Rocher Sainte Richarde - Spesbourg). There is a fun section via the "Chemin des Espiègles" (Path of the Mischievous Ones), with little wooden gnomes placed on the trees.

This short hike offers breathtaking views of the Col des Perches and the lake of the same name, Sternsee. A bench and a small table above the scree overlooking the lake are ideal for a snack break while admiring the landscape. At the Grand Neuweiher lake, stop at the refuge inn to quench your thirst before heading back to Rimbach. Moderator's note: the Blue Disc trail between (6) and Ermensbach is closed to the public and should not be used as an alternative to the Yellow Horse trail (Steinweg).

Circuit passing through the peaks of Grand and Petit Donon, using the marked trails of the Club Vosgiens and theGR®5. Forestry work is taking place for one month until May 2024 between (10) and (11).

A beautiful circular hike from the wine route to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. Climb up through the beautiful valley of the mills. Loop around Haut-Koenigsbourg and return via Langenberg. Beautiful views of the Alsace plain and the Black Forest, with an orientation table. The castle courtyard is free to visit. Don't hesitate to make a detour from (6) or (7).

Forest hike with some stunning view points over the foothills of the Vosges. Visit the ruins of three castles: Haut-Barr, the large and small Geroldseck and the Brotsch tower (built in 1897 honouring the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Vosges Club in Saverne), and the cave.

Explore the forest, lakes and the Hautes Chaumes, the highlights of this hike that follows Vosges Club trails.

A peaceful hike that will take you to Sewen Lake and its peat bogs, then to Alfeld Lake, which is very different with its dam. The path is flat until you reach the foot of the dam, then climbs a little.

The Hartmannswillerkopf (Viel Armand in French) was the scene of fierce fighting throughout 1915. Losses amounted to 50,000 dead, evenly divided between the two sides. This hike pays tribute to these soldiers by following part of their trenches. It begins with the ascent of the massif, following the German fortified trenches to the summit where the necropolis is located. The return route descends via the French side, the "Chemin des Dames".

This is a beautiful hike starting from Eguisheim, offering stunning views over the Alsace plain. We pass by Hagueneck Castle and the Three Castles above Husseren. On the way back, a visit to the picturesque village of Eguisheim is a must, with its beautiful circular rampart street.

This is a circular hike, with Mont Sainte Odile as its highlight, an iconic place of pilgrimage dedicated to the patron saint of Alsace. There are beautiful views of the Alsace plain from the site, with orientation tables. In good weather, you may be lucky enough to see Strasbourg Cathedral. The route also takes you along the mysterious Mur Païen (Pagan Wall). On the way back, you will see the ruins of Hagelschlos and Ottrott castles (which are not open to visitors). Please note: dogs are not allowed inside the monastery grounds.

An original route to get to Lac du Grand Ballon avoiding the road. You will discover beautiful trees, a waterfall and views over the Petit Ballon and the Black Forest along the way.

This hike in the Northern Vosges will allow you to discover five castles which, although less well known than Fleckenstein, are just as worthy of a visit! Much of the walk takes place on small forest paths, making it very pleasant in hot weather.

Hike in the Alsatian Vosges from Lac Blanc to Lac Vert and return via Lac des Truites and Lac Noir. These are three loops that follow on from each other so well that you can shorten the route at two points.

Observe the chamois in the Wormspel, soak your feet in the clear waters of lake Schiessrothried and appreciate the beauty of the Frankenthal-Missheimle nature reserve. And, if possible, stop at a farm-guesthouse for an excellent day! As a variation of this hike, go via the Col de Falimont, where you can find practical information.

Along this trail of bunkers, explore fortifications dating back to the First World War, built by the German army. After the fighting in the summer and autumn of 1914, the Haute-Alsace front stabilised on along the line of Cernay-Dannemarie. The commune of Burnhaupt-le-Bas remains on the German side. In December 1914 and January 1915, the French offensive in this sector regularly broke the German lines at the cost of many lives.

Short circular loop from Rosheim, a beautiful Alsatian city (situated on the Wine Route and the Roman Route), particularly steeped in history, which its architectural heritage is evidence of. Walk through the vineyards and orchards towards Bischenberg, its convent, dry prairies and beautiful view over the plain.

A lovely, easy walk with many breathtaking views of the Bruche Valley, the Donon, the Wisches quarry, the Alsace plain and the Château du Guirabden. This is a simple circuit in terms of length and elevation, with a mix of forest paths and trails through either forest or pastureland.

This is a must-do circuit for all hiking enthusiasts.

Speaking of this part of the Sundgau, André Gide wrote:"One is constantly surprised, as one crosses the forest, to find oneself in the presence of an unsuspected sheet of water, mysteriously asleep in the shelter of the beech forests; rushes adorn narrow sandy beaches at the edge of large fields of water lilies. There are also several reminders of the First World War and the front line that separated Largitzen from Bisel.

Rediscover the largest fortified castle in Alsace, currently undergoing restoration.

This hike will take you to the Source de la Doller, which, contrary to what you might think, does not originate at the Ballon d'Alsace, but below the Schlumpf. During the hike, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Doller valley and have the opportunity to eat at one of the farmhouse inns along the route.

A pretty walk, alternating between rises and descents following sinuous winds and paths over ridges with magnificent views. ‘’The’’ meeting place for local chamois.

This hike could also be called 'Les Balcons de Buhl' (the Buhl balconies). It crosses the Buhlois vineyard, offering magnificent views of the Florival and the Grand Ballon. An additional point of interest is that the circuit crosses old abandoned red sandstone quarries in the Vosges.

The Petit Ballon tour starts at the Wasenmatten farmhouse inn. A challenging start (+300 m) precedes a gentle descent with superb views of the surrounding mountains - the Vosges, the Black Forest, the Jura and, for the lucky ones, the Alps.

This is a pleasant hike that will take you through vineyards and woods to the amazing Rocher du Schlüsselstein, then to the foot of the Taennchel and finally to two of the three castles of Ribeauvillé. There are a few climbs, but overall it is an easy route.

Nideck Waterfall, Ruins of Nideck Castle, Schneeberg, Ruins of Petit Ringelsberg, Ruins of Grand Rengelsberg.

Discover the Taennchel massif and its impressive sandstone rocks of the Vosges from the picturesque village of Thannenkirch.

The hike starts in Murbach and allows you to discover several attractions in the valley: Murbach Abbey, the Notre Dame de Lorette Chapel and the ruins of an ancient castle, the Hohrupf.

Haut Barr, Hexentisch, Brotsch Tower, Schaeferplatz: a whole menu for discovering this tiny part of the Vosges. This easy hike, suitable for the whole family, will delight you with its many viewpoints, such as the Devil's Bridge, the Brotsch Tower, the Huck Rock and many others waiting to be discovered. What's more, the many picnic spots make this hike even more enjoyable.

The Mur Païen, 10.5 km long, is the remains of an ancient wall located around the perimeter of Mont Sainte-Odile. At an altitude of 764 m, the summit overlooks the Alsace plain. The Abbey of Hohenbourg, founded by Saint Odile, stands there.

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.

Kilometre Zero is the starting point of the front line established during theFirst World War. It is located on the current French-Swiss border, at a place called Le Largin. The Kilometre Zero trail explores three sections of the front line, the first kilometres of the French and German fronts, and the Swiss front at Le Largin, established along the border opposite the no man's land where boundary marker No. 111, considered the zero point of the Great War front line, is located.

A walk made for children. The walk starts and ends at a superb medieval playground, with a splendid view of the Krappenfels. There are two partially renovated castle ruins and the fully renovated Fleckenstein Castle (entrance fee).

A magnificent circuit on the Vosges ridges with views of the Black Forest and, on clear, dry days, the Alps. 400 m of paved road, the rest on trails or wide paths.

This walk takes you to the Lac des Perches ; a lake that nestles at the bottom of a very steep-sided cirque. Then the path leads you on to a stubble field where there is a very beautiful view over the valley of the Doller and even of the Alps when the sky is clear.

This is an unmissable hike in the Villé Valley, which takes you past some unusually shaped rocks (the Cheval Tombé, the Salière and the Roche des Fées) and leads to the Rocher du Coucou with its stunning views of the valley and the Central Alsace plain, as well as the iconic Château du Frankenbourg, which once protected the area.

The Linge region was the scene of bloody clashes in 1914 and 1915. You will discover the remains and traces still very much present on the ground as you follow this route. Between 20 July and 16 October 1915, one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War in the Vosges took place on this section of the Linge-Barrenkopf front, barely 2 km long. It cost the lives of more than 17,000 young French and German soldiers.

This is a very pleasant hike that also offers views of the Alsace plain. The different environments you will pass through will delight walkers who take the time to look around.

The 10.5 km long "Mur Païen" (Pagan Wall) is the remains of an ancient wall located on Mont Sainte-Odile, a mountain in the Vosges, in the Bas-Rhin department, rising to an altitude of 764 metres and topped by a convent founded by Saint Odile, the Abbey of Hohenbourg, which overlooks the Alsace plain.

An easy hike that will take you to the two castles of Andlau: Andlau and Spesbourg.

In a beautiful forest setting, you will cross numerous streams and arrive at the waterfall formed by the Andlau river in the middle of the rocks. A short hike with moderate slopes and a pretty destination, ideal for young children or occasional walkers.