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To get to the start, take the Oberkirch B28 bypass (Strasbourg/Kehl road towards Freudenstadt).
Coming from Strasbourg, go through the two tunnels near Oberkirch, then, at the first roundabout, turn right towards Hesselbach, where you’ll find a small car park at the entrance to the village, next to the recycling centre.
Signposted “Brennersteig” (brown signs)
(S/E) From the car park, follow the road you took on arrival towards Ödsbach (eastwards). When you reach the roundabout, continue along the road, still heading towards Ödsbach.
(1) After passing a few houses on the road to Ödsbach, turn onto a path on the right, cross the cherry orchards, and head uphill along a gentle curve up the hillside.
(2) When you reach the Halter distillery, head down to the left, past the building, then follow the path on the right which passes between the houses and climbs towards a vineyard. Continuing uphill, follow a bend to the right, then to the left, through the vines (see the information boards).
(3) At the T-junction, turn left and walk past a farm. Continue along a wide bend. At the first junction, in the bend, turn right.
(4) Turn left and head into the forest. The path passes a small pond before reaching the grounds of the “Grüner Baum” hotel. Along the way, fitness equipment is dotted throughout the forest.
(5) At the Hotel Grüner Baum, head to the hotel car park, where you’ll find a traditional-style building and a decorative still. Retrace your steps.
(5) Start the climb on the left. After a fairly steep ascent, the path continues to the right. At the first junction, head up to the left. After a bend to the left, you’ll reach a long straight stretch through the fir forest. After a bend to the right, you’ll arrive at a crossroads.
Signposted K (Kandel Höhenweg)
(6) At Heuberger Eck, the route joins another hiking trail, the Kandel Höhenweg. You should therefore follow the path furthest to the left at this junction. At the first fork, take care not to go the wrong way: turn right, then left. Follow the path and admire the view of the Geigerskopf massif on your right. The path continues uphill, quite steeply, until you reach a crossroads.
(7) At Laibacher Eck, continue along the path on the left, which climbs gently. Walk past a small cottage, which serves as a shelter, until you reach the hamlet of Bergle.
(8) You can go and get some drinks by continuing straight on, or else carry on more directly to the right. You’ll pass a car park and a picnic area.
Signposted “Brennersteig” (brown signs)
(9) At the Y-junction, Hesselbacher Allmend, continue straight ahead along the path. This is where you must leave the Kandel Höhenweg signposting (the path signposted ‘K’ on the left leads to the Mooskopf). Then follow the brown signposting for the Brennersteig, heading straight on to the Bildeiche.
(10) This junction is currently the site of a major construction project involving three wind turbines. As a result, the route is slightly disrupted, and the forest has been significantly cleared in this area. Take thefirst path on the right, then turn left at the first junction to quickly rejoin the usual path once past the construction site. A little further on, you’ll pass some enclosures: this is a free-range black pig farm. Follow the signposts carefully.
(11) At the Schafhof Höhe junction, take the path opposite, heading towards the Geigerskopf, which continues to climb gently. At one point, the view opens up to the left over the Durbach vineyards and Staufenberg Castle. The path veers slightly to the left before tackling a very steep climb.
(12) At the top of the climb stands the Geigerskopf metal tower. Unlike other panoramic towers built of cut stone, this one is more recent and consists of a metal structure. From the top, there is a magnificent panoramic view of the entire region, the Rhine plain and the Vosges.
To continue the walk, take the path opposite the tower, next to a shelter. The path leads into a small wood before emerging into a small vineyard, from where there is a magnificent view. Here, skip the section through the vineyard and head straight down towards Hesselbach.
(13) At the junction, continue to the right. After passing through a small wood, you’ll find yourself in orchards; carry on straight ahead. At one point, the path passes to the right of a farm (where you can buy drinks) and climbs quite steeply. After a bend to the right, you’ll be back in the forest.
(14) At a cherry orchard, turn right twice at the junctions. The descent is steep. When you reach another junction, take the road on the left to pass behind the first houses in Hesselbach. Follow the road into the village. At the Hesselbacher Hof restaurant, turn left. At the end of the road, you’ll reach the hiking car park (S/E).
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