Around the Col de Saverne

A lovely circular walk starting from the Col de Saverne, passing by the Rocher du Faucon, the wildlife footbridge, the Rocher des Dames, the Chapelle Saint-Michel, the Chapelle Sainte-Barbe, the Rocher Gustave Orth and the Rocher du Sanglier.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 359 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 367 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 397 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 221 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Saverne via the pass, park in the small car park on the right, opposite the road leading to the Grotte Saint-Vit.

(S/E) Follow the Yellow Cross marked trail to a junction.

(1) Turn left (Red Ring), then right towards the Rocher du Faucon (beautiful view over Saverne).

(2) Return to the path and turn right (Red Ring).

(3) As you leave the forest, take the small path on the right marked with a Blue Triangle and Red Diamond to cross the wildlife bridge, then turn right to follow the Route Forestière des Dames (Red Ring) for about 250 m, then turn left onto the Chemin Forestier des Roches Plates (Red Ring) towards Rocher des Dames and Chapelle Saint-Michel.

(4) At Rocher des Dames (viewpoint over the motorway and Rocher des Faucons), retrace your steps. Take the path (Rocher des Dames) towards Chapelle Saint-Michel. Along the way, there is a viewpoint at Felsplatte (Roche Plate).

(5) Continue straight ahead at the fork, pass the Chalet Saint-Michel and arrive at the chapel.

(6) Chapelle Saint-Michel: magnificent viewpoint, picnic spot; head down the steps to visit the Roche des Fées.
Retrace your steps back to the fork.

(5) Turn left (Blue Rectangle); at the junction, head towards Saverne (Blue Rectangle). At the next junction, take the path on the far left (Blue Rectangle); at the next junction, continue straight on to reach the village and a Stop sign.

(7) Turn right, head towards Saverne until you reach the village outskirts, continue on, go under the motorway bridge and turn right towards the houses.

(8) Cross the road, then the small bridge, turn right, then take the small path on the left (Yellow Cross) towards Chapelle Sainte-Barbe

(9) At the junction, turn left then right (Yellow Cross) and continue to the chapel.

(10) At the back of the chapel, head up to the right (Red Diamond) to reach the Rocher Gustave Orth.

(11) Pass to the right of the rock (Red Diamond) towards Rocher du Sanglier.

(12) At the five-way junction, continue straight ahead and downhill (Yellow Cross), a magnificent path leading to Rocher du Sanglier.

(13) Continue along the path (Yellow Cross) to return to the junction you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn left and follow the outward route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 395 m - Car park on the D1004
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 354 m - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 356 m - Rocher des Faucons
  4. 3 : km 2.03 - alt. 378 m - Exit from the forest
  5. 4 : km 3.32 - alt. 373 m - Rochers des Dames
  6. 5 : km 6.33 - alt. 370 m - Fork. Return to the - Chapelle Saint-Michel (Saint-Jean-Saverne)
  7. 6 : km 6.71 - alt. 378 m - Saint-Michel Chapel - Mont Saint-Michel
  8. 7 : km 8.89 - alt. 264 m - Village entrance
  9. 8 : km 9.67 - alt. 221 m - Michelbach (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Zorn
  10. 9 : km 10.1 - alt. 269 m - Crossroads
  11. 10 : km 10.52 - alt. 320 m - Chapelle Sainte-Barbe (Ottersthal)
  12. 11 : km 10.81 - alt. 367 m - Rocher Gustave Orth (Ottersthal)
  13. 12 : km 11.34 - alt. 314 m - Crossroads of 5 paths
  14. 13 : km 12.36 - alt. 348 m - Rocher du Sanglier (Ottersthal)
  15. S/E : km 13.81 - alt. 395 m - Car park on the D1004

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
sirius57
sirius57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely and interesting walk enjoyed by my partner and I in fine weather. Like you, I’ve already shared several walks in the Saverne area, but the section between the A4 motorway and the D1004 was still new to me… but now I’ve done it!
A few comments
1) The Rocher du Sanglier is located about 200m beyond WP13; it is clearly marked by a circular sign behind the bench that lines the Yellow Cross path which passes through the summit area of the rock.
2) The paths in the area between WP8, WP9 and WP12 have been badly damaged by heavy forestry machinery but remain passable.
3) The forest path from WP9 to WP10 leading to the Chapel of St Barbe is heavily obstructed by numerous logs and just as many branches due to heavy logging activity... it didn’t stop me, but at times I had to walk a tightrope!!
4) Access to the Faucon and Roche Plate rocks is prohibited between 1 February and 31 July due to the nesting of a protected species (ONF sign). We’ll have to wait a while before we can take a break on the benches at the two viewing points!
Thanks for sharing.

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gizmo
gizmo

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a lovely walk, mostly through forest but also with some open sections. Several beautiful views over the Alsace plain. Mont St Michel in particular is very original for its decorations (on trees, carved wood, etc.) and its legends about witches. In the chapel, you can admire a model of the site, and around Christmas time, a pretty nativity scene is added. To follow the route, however, it is advisable to consult a GPS on your phone, as some of the explanations are unclear and some of the signposts referred to in the route description are missing.
It is true, as other hikers have pointed out, that you can sometimes hear the motorway, which can be annoying, but the hike remains charming and interesting.

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Lukowiak Michel
Lukowiak Michel

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

It’s true that there’s noise from the motorway for two-thirds of the walk, which does spoil the pleasure of walking in the countryside a bit. It’s a walk I won’t be doing again!

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thom67500
thom67500

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

You can hear the noise of traffic from the motorway along almost the entire route. It really spoils the enjoyment of the ride.

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mach
mach

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, apart from the noise of the cars (there’s a motorway nearby) in certain places.

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gmj
gmj

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Mont Saint-Michel: a beautiful spot with stunning views, perfect for a picnic

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agnes67640
agnes67640

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A shaded route. Discover Mont St Michel with its stunning views over the Alsace plain and the Fairy’s Cave, situated below the chapel. You can stop for a drink at the Club Vosgien’s lovely chalet.

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