Circular route via the Froelich Rock and Heidenschloss starting from Obersteigen

A lovely circular route starting from the entrance to Obersteigen, mostly through woodland if you ignore the areas of clear-cutting. The forest paths and tracks taken are very accessible, with no major difficulties and minimal elevation gain.
Passing by the Rocher Jean-Jacques Froelich and the Heidenschloss, where a table and a shelter provide a place to rest and enjoy a view of the plain when the trees have shed their leaves.

Details

39637497
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 171 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 168 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 477 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 388 m

Description of the walk

Access to Obersteigen by car from Romanswiller via the D143.
Parking available at the entrance to the village, at the start of Rue du Pivert.

(S/E) Take the path opposite marked with a Blue Triangle, reaching the junction with the D218.

(1) Cross it and continue straight ahead; at the next junction, keep well to the left to follow the Blue Triangle markings. Reach the Route Forestière de la Scierie.

(2) Cross this too, follow the Blue Triangle markings, and join the Birkenwald Forest Road (RF).

(3) Continue straight ahead, following the sign for Heidenschloss. Pass close to the J. Jacques Froelich Rock. Then reach Heidenschloss.

(4) Leave the Blue Triangle markings here, turn left and follow the path marked with a Yellow Cross and Red Saltire for about a hundred metres. Reach the junction with a forest track.

(5) Turn left onto this unmarked path, continue to the right at the junction with a wide track and reach the multi-way junction at the Allée des Soupirs.

(6) Take the path on the left and continue to the junction with the Route Forestière de Birkenwald.

(7) Turn right onto it and quickly reach the D143 via this tarmac section.

(8) Cross it and turn left onto a parallel track. You will then rejoin the D143.

(9) Cross this road again; at the start of the forest road, take the path on the right which curves slightly to the left and is marked with a Blue Cross. Then cross the D218 to reach the car park on Rue du Pivert in Obersteigen (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 465 m - Car park on Rue du Pivert in Obersteigen
  2. 1 : km 0.43 - alt. 452 m - D218
  3. 2 : km 1.25 - alt. 392 m - RF de la Scierie
  4. 3 : km 1.86 - alt. 412 m - RF de Birkenwald
  5. 4 : km 3.42 - alt. 437 m - Heidenschloss
  6. 5 : km 3.75 - alt. 425 m - Leave the trail – Forest track
  7. 6 : km 4.44 - alt. 458 m - Allée des Soupirs junction
  8. 7 : km 5.26 - alt. 423 m - RF de Birkenwald
  9. 8 : km 5.61 - alt. 400 m - D143
  10. 9 : km 6.28 - alt. 420 m - D143
  11. S/E : km 7.23 - alt. 465 m - Car park on Rue du Pivert in Obersteigen

Notes

Worth a visit

(S/E) From the car park, you can walk or drive to the village centre and visit the chapel dedicated to Sainte Marie de l’Assomption. Accessible via Rue de la Chapelle, with parking in front of the chapel.

Shortly before (4) The Jean-Jacques Froelich Rock is located on the right-hand side of the path, marked by a sign on a tree.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.7 / 5
Véjeanne
Véjeanne

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk of about three hours. We got a bit confused by the markings – or perhaps we just had trouble spotting them towards the end of the route – but we made it to the end without getting lost!
Thank you for this lovely walk

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oggi
oggi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk through the forest.
As the last four weeks have been very rainy, part of the return journey was very muddy near a forestry site, but there is a side path to keep your feet dry.

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papi rené
papi rené

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but the signposts don’t quite match up with the GPS and the route description

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Saverti
Saverti

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very good description of the route; the waymarkers are, give or take a few dozen metres, ideal for finding your way

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Schmiltz
Schmiltz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, with no particular difficulties. The last kilometre was a bit of a nuisance as the path had been completely churned up by forestry machinery. But otherwise, the route is well worth a go.

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lolo46
lolo46

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, shaded path. Lacks panoramic views

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