Walk to Mont-Saint-Odile

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This classic stop in Alsace is more of a stroll than a real hike.
The magnificent convent, flanked by beautiful little chapels, built entirely of pink Vosges sandstone, offers stunning views of the Alsace plain in all directions.

Details

n°35998
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.64 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 133 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 134 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 766 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 680 m
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Photos

The Mont-Saint-Odile convent from the path below
The Alsace plain towards Strasbourg from Mont-Saint-Odile
The large inner courtyard of the Mont-Saint-Odile convent
Interior of one of the small chapels at Mont-Saint-Odile

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Mont Ste-Odile convent.
(S/E) From the car park, go to the entrance of the convent and pass through the large porch.

(1) At the convent exit, turn left and follow the well-marked path straight ahead, which descends to the spring of Mont-Saint-Odile. On the way, in the middle of the forest, there is an impressive cemetery for religious figures.

(2) Take the same path back up. At the top, turn right onto the beautiful path that circles Mont-Saint-Odile. All along the way, on your left, you will see a steep sandstone peak in the Vosges, the foundation of the convent perched at the top. Pass the grotto of the Virgin Mary and then walk under a large rock.
Join the small road coming from the valley and follow it uphill to return to the convent.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 736 m - Convent car park
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 762 m - Convent of Saint Odile - Mont Sainte-Odile
  3. 2 : km 1.33 - alt. 680 m - Source of Saint Odile
  4. S/E : km 2.64 - alt. 735 m - Convent car park

Notes

When you arrive at Mont-Saint-Odile, try to park in the first car parks on the left, about 200 metres from the site. Depending on the season, the area can be quite popular with tourists, so there are not many parking spaces immediately adjacent to the entrance.
All the necessary information and more can be found at.
Accommodation is available at the Hôtel du Couvent.

Worth a visit

The Couvent: Head for the large courtyard, which is lined with beautiful trees and has a restaurant and a shop. The buildings are made of Vosges sandstone, which is typical of many buildings in Alsace. From there, you are free to explore at your leisure. However, don't miss the church, the cloister next door, and the magnificent little path behind the church, which offers views of the Alsace plain. At the large platform, visit the magnificent little chapels. Also note the path at the bottom that goes around Mont-Saint-Odile.
The list is long (by car):
Within 20 km:
- Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle,
- the beautiful typical Alsatian villages of Riquewhir, Ribeauvillé and Kaysersberg (superb Christmas markets throughout December),
- The Eagle Park and Monkey Mountain in Kinztheim,
- Colmar,
Within 100 km:
- Further afield, Mulhouse and its magnificent automobile museum (Bugatti, etc.), the railway museum,
- Further still, Basel in Switzerland with its picturesque city centre,
- Freiburg in Germany,
- and, of course, Strasbourg.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Alain Guy
Alain Guy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very well-written review

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Samos68
Samos68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful walk, quite popular with connoisseurs

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claudonp
claudonp

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Be careful, it's not as easy as it looks, even though there isn't much elevation gain, because there are lots of "trap" roots and stones.
But following this ancient fortress wall is spectacular, especially on the northern route (good walkers can complete both routes in a single day; there are shelters on the southern route).
Finally, the route is always in the forest, which is very pleasant in summer.

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edouardo17
edouardo17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great route.
A route will be built soon.

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menuetb1944
menuetb1944

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful course, good signage.

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edouardo17
edouardo17

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Very beautiful route. Good signage.

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fabienneluca
fabienneluca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk that we thoroughly enjoyed. Worth doing again and again.

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edouardo17
edouardo17

This hike will take place in early September.

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The user account associated with this content has been deleted.

Betteral
Betteral

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk in the heart of the forest along the pagan wall with magnificent views of the plain! Perfect for a walk with children as it is easy.

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Helene81
Helene81

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely little walk to discover the source of Mont
without difficulty

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fandelara765
fandelara765

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We started our hike at the Bloss crossroads rather than at the Mont Sainte-Odile car park, as it is only 15-20 minutes upstream from the start of the Route Sud du Mur Païen. It is a beautiful hike, accessible to all, which takes us up to the mountain. Once at the top, don't hesitate to walk the entire Way of the Cross and visit the Sainte-Odile spring.

There are many beautiful hikes to do around this magnificent site.

Many thanks to Visorando.

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bd2456
bd2456
• Edited:

You'll have to wait until this summer for my opinion! Many thanks for your website, it's great!

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