Circular walk around Saverne

Park in the Champ de Foire car park in Saverne, Rue de l’Orangerie.

(S/E) Turn right, then walk alongside the SNCF station until you reach the main road at the very end – this is the Route de Paris.

(1) Cross it carefully, then turn right onto it to reach the junction with Rue Edmond About.

(2) Turn left onto it, follow it, then continue along the Promenade de la Schlitte. You’ll reach a three-way junction opposite a crucifix.

(3) Leave the return path on your left, turn right onto Chemin du Koepeel, walk along the banks of the Schlettenbach stream and cross it to reach the Edmond About memorial.

(4) Continue to the right along the path marked with a Red Rectangle – this is the^GR®53. You’ll soon reach the Saut du Prince Charles.

(5) Continue uphill on the^GR® until you reach a junction of several paths and a track at the top of the hill.

(6) Keep the^GR® straight ahead, head downhill and reach the junction at the Fossé des Pandours.

(7) Leave the^GR® here and turn left onto the path marked with a Yellow Triangle. Cross the Route Forestière des Pandours. Continue down the slope alongside the Ruisseau de la Fontaine to reach the Fontaine Mélanie.

(8) Turn right, then turn left at the next junction onto the path marked with a Yellow Saltire to reach the Source des Bavarois.

(9) Continue following the shared Yellow Triangle and Yellow Saltire markings until you reach the junction near the Schweizerhof Forest House.

(10) Turn left onto the tarmac path for a few metres, then take the forest track signposted with a Red Ring and continue down an easy descent to reach the Grotte Saint-Vit.

(11) Join the^GR®531(marked with a Red Ring) opposite and head for Greifenstein Castle.

(12) As you leave the castle, take the path to the left and walk downhill to the Étang du Ramsthal, crossing several roads.

(13) Continue along the path marked with a Green Disc until you reach the three-way junction you passed on the way there.

(3) Turn right and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to return to the Champ de Foire car park in Saverne (S/E).

(11) Picnic table at the Saint-Vit Cave
Some sections are quite steep; walking poles are recommended for novice walkers.

Understanding the Club Vosgien’s trail markings.

(4) Edmont About memorial
(11) Saint-Vit Cave.
(12) Visit the ruins of Greifenstein with caution. Risk of collapse in some fenced-off sections.
(13) Ramsthal Pond.