Country:
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In Scherwiller, park in the small car park behind the town hall, a few steps from the church.
(S/E) Follow the Aubach canal, which runs along Rue de la Mairie to the west, then, continuing along the Aubach, take Rue de l'École after the small medieval garden that marks its entrance.
When you reach the crossroads with Rue de l'Ortenbourg (D35), turn left and follow it for about 1.2 km until you reach a three-way junction.
(1) About 200 m after leaving the town, leave the D35 going left towards Châtenois and continue straight on towards the castles and the Hühnelmuhle inn via Rue Holzweg. About 200 m after the inn, a path climbs into the forest on the right.
(2) The start of the path is clearly marked, notably by a red sign warning of theft from parked vehicles.
The path climbs through the undergrowth and passes a small, recently restored chapel before reaching a flat area. Continue to the right to continue the climb towards Ramstein Castle. The path to the castle is clearly marked.
(3) Take the time to admire this castle, which was built as the seat of Ortenbourg Castle towards the end of the 13th century. It is currently undergoing restoration and access may be restricted.
Continue north towards Ortenbourg Castle, which you will soon see and reach in a few minutes.
(4) Here too, take the time to visit this masterpiece of 13th-century defensive architecture. The views of the Alsace plain, Haut Koenigsbourg Castle and the mountainous forests of the Vosges are breathtaking, as is the view of Ramstein, a neighbour with sad memories (built for its siege).
Once you have left the lower courtyard through the main gate, continue along the path that descends northwards into a forest of oak and chestnut trees.
After a few hundred metres, you will reach a three-way junction where the path continues straight ahead towards Dieffenthal and another descends diagonally to the right.
(5) Descend to the right on the path marked with a blue cross. It descends rapidly towards the vineyards and passes in front of a small chapel. Continue straight ahead on the small road that enters Scherwiller. Continue straight ahead to reach Rue de l'Ortenbourg. Turn left onto this road to reach the Aubach Canal on the right, which runs alongside Rue de l'École and then Rue de la Mairie, where you will find the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Difficult 
