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The hike starts north of the Fleckenstein Lake. To get there from Lembach, head towards Hirschthal and Schönau (D925). Walk along the Fleckenstein Lake and, at the end of it, turn left to reach the small car park by crossing the bridge over the Sauer River.
(S/E) Begin the hike by carefully crossing the D925 again and taking the road marked with a red rectangle (GR®53) opposite, heading towards Fleckenstein Castle. The slope is steep, quickly reaching a gradient of around 15%. After climbing for 1 km, you will reach the foot of the castle. There is an admission charge for the tour and tickets can be purchased at the shop at the end of the esplanade.
(1) After passing between the buildings, turn left and follow theGR®53Red Rectangle markings towards Château du Hohenbourg. The path then turns right and continues to climb steadily to Col Hohenbourg.
(2) At the pass, continue for another 30 metres, then follow the path marked with a red triangle and red-white-red rectangle to the right towards Krappenfels Rock and the castles.
(3) After about 200 metres, don't hesitate to make a round trip to the Krappenfels rock by following the red triangle markings: beautiful view of Fleckenstein Castle.
(4) Turn around and return to the fork.
(3) Go up to the right, following the red-white-red rectangle markings. You will soon reach Loewenstein Castle. At the top of the castle, enjoy a beautiful view of Fleckenstein Castle.
(5) Continue along the red-white-red marked path to Hohenbourg Castle, which is very close by. This castle offers a beautiful view of the German castle of Wegelnburg.
(6) Continue along the same path, descending northwards.
(7) On the way, note the Maidenbrunnen spring on the right before reaching the border a little further on.
(8) At the border, the markings change to a red rectangle on yellow. Follow these straight ahead towards the Wegelnburg Ruins. From the top of the restored castle, enjoy a magnificent panorama of the small mountains of the Palatinate.
(9) In front of the castle entrance, descend the path marked with red rectangles on yellow. After a hairpin bend to the left, continue downhill.
(10) At the next hairpin bend, continue straight ahead for 100 m (unmarked) on the path that leads to a crossroads.
(11) Then veer slightly left onto the path marked with a blue rectangle towards Hirschthal and the Froensbourg Ruins.
(12) At the crossroads, turn right and descend to the village of Hirschthal.
(13) Cross the road carefully, turn left and follow the road south to the border. The Blue Rectangle markings remain unchanged.
(14) Turn right, still following the blue rectangle markings, cross the Sauer river via a small bridge and join the cycle path. Take it to the left.
(15) After about 50 metres, turn right and immediately go up to the left, still following the blue rectangle. The slope is quite steep until you reach a wooden hut.
(16) In front of the hut, turn right. The path joins theGR®53Red Rectangle.
(17) Follow it to the right until you reach Froensbourg Castle (Blue Rectangle).
(18) Turn around.
(17) On the way back, keep to the right on the Red Rectangle until you reach a multiple crossroads.
(19) Don't hesitate to make a round trip to Rocher de l'Étang (marked with a red ring), which offers a partial view of the southern part of Fleckenstein Lake and its campsite.
(20) Retrace your steps to the fork.
(19) Descend to the right, still on theGR®53Red Rectangle, to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Tourism professional
Difficult 
Very difficult 
