Circular via Loosthal and Johannisthal starting from Hunebourg Castle

By car, coming from Dossenheim-sur-Zinsel, take the first forest road on the right after leaving the village, towards Hunebourg. Drive 5 km uphill following the Hunebourg Forest Road. Park on the grass on the right before the barrier.

(S/E) Start by going up the road. On the right, you will see Hunebourg Castle, which is private property. When the road forms a circular right-hand turn to reach the castle entrance, take the stairs opposite that lead down to the path marked with a red cross, blue easel and blue ring. Partly a footpath, partly a track damaged by forestry machinery, the route takes you past the Grotte d'Amour (Cave of Love) and some pretty rocks.

(1) Continue to a crossroads.

(2) Continue straight downhill, following the Red Cross and Blue Easel signs. Cross the forest road and continue for about 20 metres until you reach a fork in the path.

(3) Keep left and follow the signs for "Croix de Pierre, La Petite Pierre", marked with a blue easel. The path climbs gently to reach the Croix de Pierre.

(4) Follow the blue signposts to the forest road.

(5) Cross the road and take the path opposite, marked with a red triangle, which curves sharply to the left before reaching a fork.

(6) Turn right, following the red triangle and blue rectangle with white markings towards the Loosthal forest house. The path ends with a fairly steep climb as it approaches the road.

(7) At this intersection, take the path opposite, still marked with a blue rectangle crossed out in white, which leads to Loosthal, visible on the left, without having to walk on the road.

(8) Take the forest road on the left towards Johannisthal, marked with a blue rectangle. After about 100 metres, descend to the left on the path marked with a blue rectangle and follow it to the end.

(9) At the bottom of the descent, take the wide sandy track on the right which joins the Johannisthal Forest Road.

(10) Continue along the road to Johannisthal.

(11) At the bottom of the road, at the intersection of two forest roads, take the path opposite, still marked with a blue rectangle. This climbs fairly gently, except for a few slightly steeper sections, towards Hunebourg Castle.

(12) Cross the forest road to rejoin the path on the other side and return to the car park (S/E).

Between (5) and (6), a small sign indicates Rehkopf on the right, about a hundred metres away. This detour is entirely optional, as it leads to a tree marked with the location (Rehkopf) and altitude.

(8) The Loosthal is home to the Forest House and also the Groupement Ornithologique du Refuge Nord-Alsace (GORNA), an approved care centre for wildlife in distress. It takes in birds as well as small and medium-sized mammals.