Route of castles in the hills above Saverne

Coming from Lutzelbourg, take the road of the same name which runs alongside the Marne-Rhine Canal towards Saverne. Pass through the hamlet of Stambach and, just as you leave it, turn right at a right angle onto the Route de Baerenbach. Cross the railway line. The car park for the water treatment plant is 200 m away.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, follow the road for about fifty metres, then take the path on the left, which leads to the Maisonnette de Pierres (shelter).

(1) Follow the forest track marked with a Blue Rectangle crossed by a White Rectangle, which climbs gradually.

(2) Take care not to miss the path on the right. Cross the stream, pass the Fontaine Haemmerlin and continue.

(3) Turn right onto a forest track, following the Blue Rectangle markings, and reach the junction with another track.

(4) Cross this track to join the path above it, which leads to the Wuestberg plateau: Pierre des Druides – Mur Païen.

(5) Continue along this path to reach the Krappenfels viewpoint: view of Dabo.

(6) Descend to reach the Col du Krappenfels.

(7) From here, head back up to reach the Schlossberg plateau and then the ruins of Ochsenstein Castle.

(8) The path descends again towards the Haberacker Forest House. Turn left.

(9) Cross the forest road to join the GR®53 trail which runs alongside the road: marked with a Red Rectangle. Reach the Billebaum crossroads and its car park.

(10) Continue diagonally to the left along this path.

(11) Cross the forest road and rejoin the Red Rectangle path to reach a Y-shaped junction.

(12) Turn right, follow a short stretch of road and reach the Schaeferplatz Forest House: car park, benches and picnic tables. Follow a short stretch of road to the right.

(13) Take the path that climbs up to the left. Pass the Cuve de Pierre and reach the Grotte du Brotsch (climbing site) by continuing to follow the Red Rectangle markings.

(14) Continue climbing along the path to reach the Brotsch Tower: don’t hesitate to climb up to it.

(15) Continue along the Red Rectangle-marked path which descends to the right to the Table des Sorcières junction (car park).

(16) Continue towards the ruined castle of Petit Geroldseck.

(17) Continue along the path leading to Grand Geroldseck, which is well worth a visit: there is a shelter in the courtyard.

(18) Continue on the GR®53, pass the Telegraph Tower and head to Château du Haut Barr to visit it (restaurant).

(20) Leave the castle and turn left to follow the forest track, which has been slightly disrupted due to tree felling and leads to the Sentier du Président.

(21) Turn left at a right angle to take this path. Cross the D171 with particular care and rejoin the path opposite which runs alongside the road. Reach a three-way junction.

(22) Keep to the right to stay on the Sentier du Président and join the forest track of the same name, which you should follow to the left for about 300 m.

(23) Leave this forest track by taking the path on the right which leads onto a forest track.

(24) Turn right and follow this track, taking care not to miss the start of the path on the left heading towards Stambach.

(25) Turn left, join the SNCF Forest Road and follow it to the left until you reach the water treatment plant (S/E).

Plenty of shelters along the route. Take your time to explore the Grand Geroldseck and the Haut Barr.

Take plenty of water, as there are no water points along the route.

Wuestenberg Plateau – the Ochsenstein Castles – Petit and Grand Geroldseck – Haut Barr. Brostch Cave and Tower.

Chappe Telegraph.

Numerous viewpoints overlooking the surrounding area.