Above the Fecht Valley, from Gunsbach to Munster

Car park located at the corner of Rue de la Gare and Rue de la Cité (opposite the primary school). Access via the D10, which links Gunsbach to Munster, or via the A417, which does the same.

(S/E) Head north towards the church and join Rue de Munster

(1) Leave the return route on your left and cross Rue de Munster with care, then follow Rue de l’Église, going round the church on the left.

(2) When the street turns sharply left, continue straight ahead on a path between the church and a house (marked with a Red Triangle). At the corner of the house, turn left and follow a picturesque path that climbs alongside a river on the right. You will come out onto Rue Adolphe Muller; follow it to the left and pass a small fountain, the Source Kochabrunna, before reaching a T-junction.

(3) Walk along Rue du Réservoir to the left and follow the Red Triangle markings. When you reach a sharp bend to the left, continue for about fifty metres.

(4) Turn right, still following the Red Triangle markings. Pass a path coming from the left and continue north-north-west (Red Triangle markings). At the next junction, continue straight ahead following the Red Triangle markings (ignore the path branching off to the right). At the next two junctions, go straight ahead. Ignore a turn-off to the left and then one to the right, and you will reach another junction.

(5) Then turn sharply left and immediately right. At the fork at the foot of the Heidenruckenkopf, take the left-hand path, the Chemin des Canons (Red Triangle markings). At the next junction, turn left. At the three-way fork, take the first path on the right (Red Triangle markings).

(6) At the next junction, turn sharply left and leave the Red Triangle markings for the Schneidenweg. Then ignore two paths on the left. You will emerge at a hairpin bend in a road.

(7) Follow this road to the left and downhill (Yellow Triangle). Just past the buildings, leave the road and take a path on the left (marked with a Yellow Triangle). At the next junction, turn right and you’ll arrive at a small, sloping clearing (beautiful view).

(8) Take an unmarked path to the left. You’ll soon rejoin the road; follow it to the left. At a T-junction, turn left into Rue des Genêts (marked with a Yellow Triangle). Take one hairpin bend to the right, then one to the left.

(9) At the second hairpin bend to the right, leave the road and continue straight on along a path. Follow the Yellow Triangle markings southwards then westwards, ignoring three paths leading uphill to the left. Head south again and follow the Yellow Cross markings to a junction just past a picnic area.

(10) Continue straight on and pass the base of a mobile phone mast. Pass the Narrenstein, which offers one of the finest views over Munster and the Fecht Valley. Continue downhill through a series of bends. Walk past the fire station on your right and emerge in Munster, on Rue Alfred Hartmann. Continue to the D417 near the emergency services centre.

(11) Follow the road to the right, cross a stream and arrive at the junction opposite the church.

(12) Continue straight on along Rue Hartmann and pass Saint-Léger Church on your left. At the traffic lights, continue straight on. Cross the car park at Place du Marché diagonally to the left.

(13) Head south, take a passage under the Abbatial Palace and continue along Rue du Couvent. This will take you to the ruins of Munster Abbey. Retrace your steps back to Place du Marché at No. 12.

(13) Turn left, pass a fountain on your right, then go round the temple on the right. At the corner, turn right, cross Rue Saint-Grégoire and continue straight ahead into Rue des Chaudronniers. You’ll come out onto Grand Rue; follow it to the right. When the street turns right, continue straight ahead into Rue Sainte-Barbe. Cross a small car park and follow Rue des Potiers to the right. Return to Rue Hartmann.

(12) Follow it to the left, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, cross the stream and rejoin Rue Hartmann and the Emergency Centre.

(11) Continue straight on along Rue Hartmann until the^first left: Chemin du Heidenbach.

(14) Follow this tarmac road (Red Disc markings). Climb up and walk alongside the cemetery on your right. After a hairpin bend to the right, the tarmac gives way to a path: continue climbing following the Red Disc markings until you reach a fork.

(15) Keep left. Follow the Red Disc markings, ignoring the side paths. Further on, the path is joined by another coming from the left, marked with Yellow Triangles.

(16) At the next junction, turn left and follow the Yellow Triangle markings. Walk east-southeast, descending to reach a T-junction (table and benches on the right).

(17) Turn right onto the Chemin du Kanzrainweg (marked with a Red Triangle). After about 300 m, turn sharply left (marked with a Red Triangle) and you will soon reach the Albert Schweitzer Monument.

(18) Then turn right and descend the winding path (Red Triangle). Finish with a flight of steps and emerge onto Rue de Munster, opposite Albert Schweitzer’s house (museum). Cross the road carefully and follow it to the left, returning to the junction you passed on the way there.

(1) Just before the town hall, turn right into Rue de la Gare and walk down to the car park (S/E).

Albert Schweitzer’s house
Opening dates and times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Annual closure from 24 December to 25 January. Groups must book in advance by calling 03 89 77 31 42.

Understanding the Club Vosgien trail markings.

Hike completed (and enjoyed) in May 2024 by the Branquignols (a famous group of epicurean hikers from Alsace).