Around the Saint-Louis Inclined Plane

A lovely walk around the Plan Incliné, featuring the Rocher du Calice, a passage under the Marne-Rhine Canal (bring a torch), the Passerelle Patou, the abandoned canal, the Maison Forestière Bodenmarck, the Rocher du Corbeau with views over the canal, the Sentier des Roches, and finally a walk past the Plan Incliné.

Details

58380656
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 236 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 239 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 329 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 218 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in car park P3 near the Plan Incliné, heading towards Saint-Louis

(S/E) Cross the road and take the Route Forestière du Calice; after 500 m, turn right and follow signs for Rocher du Calice (Yellow Rectangle).

(1) At Rocher du Calice, follow signs for Écluse 7 (Yellow Disc).

(2) Cross the road and turn right, then take the path on the left (Yellow Disc) to begin the descent and go through the tunnel (torch recommended).
At the tunnel exit, continue along the path (Yellow Rectangle, White Rectangle), then cross the road and take the path on the left for about 500 m, then descend to the right via a small path.

(3) This is the Patou Footbridge. Continue along the path and go under the railway line to emerge at Lock No. 13. Cross the disused canal towards the Bodenmark Forest House (Yellow Rectangle).

(4) Walk past the Bodenmark Forest House. Follow the Viaduct Road (Yellow Rectangle). At the junction, turn right towards Rocher du Corbeau (Yellow Rectangle).

(5) At Rocher du Corbeau (magnificent view of the canal), retrace your steps and turn right. At the junction, take the path on the left (Yellow Rectangle) and follow the Sentier des Roches.
At the end of the path, ignore the sign (dangerous passage), turn right (Yellow Rectangle) to reach Lock No. 19.

(6) Cross the canal and follow it to the Bassin du Plan Incliné.

(7) Turn left to walk past the crystal factory, cross the bridge (blue barrier) to reach car park P3 (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 233 m - Car park P3 towards Saint Louis
  2. 1 : km 0.8 - alt. 317 m - Rocher du Calice (Phalsbourg)
  3. 2 : km 2.05 - alt. 302 m - Path on your left - Canal de la Marne au Rhin
  4. 3 : km 2.88 - alt. 226 m - Patou footbridge
  5. 4 : km 3.9 - alt. 317 m - Bodenmark Forest House
  6. 5 : km 5.23 - alt. 286 m - Rocher du Corbeau
  7. 6 : km 7.84 - alt. 221 m - Lock on the Marne-Rhine Canal - Zorn (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 9.88 - alt. 225 m - Plan Incliné basin - Plan Incliné (Saint-Louis-Arzviller)
  9. S/E : km 10.41 - alt. 233 m - Car park P3

Worth a visit

- Restaurant near the canal, almost at the end of the route
- Visit to a crystal factory

Visit to the Inclined Plane: info here

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Bruno Rohr
Bruno Rohr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the woods – thanks to Visorando for this wonderful route

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thaisiris
thaisiris

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, with plenty of variety. Thanks, Visorando.

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bmlstroh
bmlstroh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route, mainly through the forest with a cycle path along the canal towards the end, with beautiful views from the vantage points, two tunnels, a few small waterfalls, not many people out today, two justified warnings, no major difficulties (a short climb at the start and on the way back via the stairs, but an alternative route is available); as a bonus, you can see the inclined plane in operation and visit a lovely crystal workshop at the start or end of the route!

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alsa
alsa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely variety of paths through the mountains, featuring tunnels, staircases, imposing rocks, plenty of benches and, to round it off, a stroll along the Marne-Rhine Canal as far as the inclined plane, a clever engineering feat for transporting barges. There is no danger in accessing the Rocher du Corbeau via level ground; although it is cordoned off with a banner, the work to install the steps does not obstruct access.

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Chougirl
Chougirl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely walk where you can enjoy a variety of sights: a picturesque spot, boats… the viewpoint at Rocher du Corbeau wasn’t accessible as the area is currently under construction.

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Francis ENGEL
Francis ENGEL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A shaded route, perfect for a heatwave. Personally, I think it’s a bit of a shame about the final stretch on the track (1.8 km), but tourists will appreciate it.
Thank you all

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da rob
da rob

downloaded for a future trip to Lorraine

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