Circuit, rocks and castles around Obersteinbach

This trail takes you to rocks and castles with magnificent, unobstructed views of the valley and Obersteinbach.
You can visit the Bohemian Rock or "Tziganes", Wasigenstein Castle, Petit Arnsberg Castle and Wachtfels Rock with its breathtaking view.
There is a short stretch of tarmac at the start and end of the hike.
This is a fairly easy hike, but I have rated it as moderately difficult due to its length.

Details

1834250
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 445 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 436 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 485 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 226 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the car park on Rue Principale in Obersteinbach.

Red rectangle markings (GR® 532)

(S/E) Turn right towards the east (or Niedersteinbach). Turn right at the next intersection towards the south. At the end of the street, turn left towards the east. In Niedersteinbach, cross the stream "Le Steinbach" and join the main road D3.

Red triangle signpost

(1) Cross the D3 road, leave theGR® 532 and continue right for 800 metres towards the east.

(2) Turn left, climb north for 1,400 metres.

Red rectangle signpost (GR® 53)

(3) At the intersection, take the path opposite and continue east for 650m.

Yellow disc signpost

(4) At the Hichtenbach Pass, follow the path to the left for 600 metres, heading north.

(5) At the crossroads (French-German border), take the path on the left for 600m, initially heading north-west then south.

No signposts

(6) Turn left, heading east, onto the unmarked trail, then climb up to the right onto the ridge and follow it south-west to finally begin the detour around the 486m peak. Descend the ridge via the path on the right and rejoin the marked trail heading south-west then north-west.

Red rectangle signpost (GR® 53)

(7) Continue straight ahead on the path towards the north-west.

(8) When you reach the Rocher des Bohémiens, continue along the path towards the west.
Reach the Kingerfels crossroads and continue along the path towards Wasigenstein Castle in a north-westerly direction.

(9) At Wasigenstein Castle, descend the path towards the south-east.

(10) Turn right, heading west, onto the path that climbs uphill.

(11) At the Wolfsfelsen climbing rock, follow the path westwards, pass the Petit Arnsberg Castle and continue in the same direction.

(12) At the Wachtfels rock, follow the path westwards and then turn left towards the village of Obersteinbach. Then turn left onto Rue Principale, heading east, until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 237 m - Parking located on Rue Principale in Obersteinbach
  2. 1 : km 1.72 - alt. 232 m - Junction with the D3
  3. 2 : km 2.6 - alt. 227 m - On the left - Red Triangle
  4. 3 : km 4 - alt. 399 m - Path - Red rectangle
  5. 4 : km 4.64 - alt. 358 m - Hichtenbach Pass. Yellow disc
  6. 5 : km 5.06 - alt. 399 m - French-German border
  7. 6 : km 5.66 - alt. 465 m - On the left, the unmarked trail
  8. 7 : km 6.4 - alt. 425 m - Straight ahead - Red rectangle
  9. 8 : km 7.08 - alt. 436 m - Lindelsberg
  10. 9 : km 8.24 - alt. 364 m - Wasigenstein Castle
  11. 10 : km 9.46 - alt. 245 m - Path climbing to the right
  12. 11 : km 9.76 - alt. 281 m - Wolfsfelsen climbing rock
  13. 12 : km 10.61 - alt. 305 m - Wachtfels
  14. S/E : km 11.81 - alt. 238 m - Parking located on Rue Principale in Obersteinbach

Notes

A few water points at the start. There are fountains on the main street in Niedersteinbach marked "Eau potable" (drinking water) between (S) and (2)

(4) Shelter at the Hichtenbach Pass, with benches and a table.
(6) This path offers a better view than the marked trail. You should see the large meadow of the Auberge Gimbehlof in the distance on your left, which is located near Fleckenstein Castle.

There are a few benches along the hike. At the Hichtenbach Pass (4) and at the Kingerfels crossroads between (8) and (9).

Between (11 and) 12: At Petit Arnsberg Castle, magnificent view of the valley and the village of Obersteinbach.

(12) At the Wachtfels rock, breathtaking view of the valley and the village of Obersteinbach.

Worth a visit

Visit to the Bohemian Rock or "Tziganes" (8)
Visit to Wasigenstein Castle (9)
Visit to the castle of Petit Arnsberg

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 51 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 2322273

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant hike – thanks

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User 13678374

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing in particular to report.

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User 28647690

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful hike that alternates between unspoilt nature and places of interest, even if not all the sites are easily accessible (they aren’t really maintained).
I recommend using the app as well as the map.

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User 23943317

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk was lovely, winding through the forest past castles and rocky outcrops.
The weather was lovely, and the area is beautiful and peaceful.
With the app and GPS, it’s handy to see where you are when you’re not sure.

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Cathoun55
Cathoun55

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woods, taking in the natural beauty and the castles. Not to be missed

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User 2476539

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Wonderful hike, just a small clarification: from point 5, follow the blue ring up to the summit where you will come to a wider path that descends (still following the blue ring). Stay on this path, do not go back up as indicated on the map, and continue to point 7 on the yellow ring towards the Gypsy Rock. Otherwise, it's a beautiful walk with magnificent castles and superb views at Wachtfells. Thank you!

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Sabrina BONNARD
Sabrina BONNARD

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike. We loved the Gypsy Rock and the castles, especially Wasigenstein Castle, which is magnificent. At Gypsy Rock, we took the small path that runs along the rock, which allowed us to see some superb rocks rather than taking the forest path. Wachtfels Rock is fantastic with its magnificent view.

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Sabrina BONNARD
Sabrina BONNARD

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany hike with lovely trails. We loved the Gypsy Rock and the various castles, especially Wasigenstein Castle, which is magnificent. The Wachtfels Rock is also fantastic, with its splendid view.

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User 10628713

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, although the signposting no longer matches the description. You need to check the route more often to avoid going astray.

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Caillou
Caillou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk without too many difficulties.
Interesting ruins of castles and Bohemian rocks (access via steps).

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Para57
Para57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Really nice

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jean-michel utard
jean-michel utard

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very poorly signposted route. Hence the overly technical description (not everyone sets off with a compass...). Most of the route is forested, with too few viewpoints. No tourist office where you can get a walking map (cyclists have been treated better).
Local tourism seems more interested in welcoming Germans in the many local restaurants than modest hikers.
A shame, really. The region is well worth a visit.

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carine.pascal67
carine.pascal67

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Between no. 5 and no. 7 it was really tricky... it should be marked to take the blue circle after the Franco-German border.
Franco-German border.
We were 6 experienced hikers and really disappointed with the explanations and signposting.

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Winmartine
Winmartine

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

hike on a Wednesday in early July 2023, we went to Obersteinbach and finally followed the circular route (red circle) proposed from the village centre, lasting 2.5 hours, taking it easy and making a diversion towards Wasigenstein castle, with 2 teenagers grumbling. Work is in progress in the forest, and some paths are no longer accessible.

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Yweiss
Yweiss

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a very pretty route, with plenty of beautiful rock formations. However, the castles are not to be outdone, provided you like the stairways adjoining the void.

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