Route de Rosheim, Mont Sainte-Odile and the Sentier des Merveilles

Car park near the fortified gate known as the Lion Gate, Avenue Clémenceau in Rosheim.

(S/E) Take the greenway running parallel to this avenue and then continue straight on. You will reach the junction with the D604.

(1) Cross the road, take a wide left-hand bend to reach the bridge on the road linking Rosheim to Boersch.

(2) Once you’ve crossed it, you’ll come across a stretch of railway track overgrown with vegetation. Head towards the Boersch industrial estate and you’ll emerge onto Rue des Jardins.

(3) Here, the greenway is interrupted due to roadworks; continue to the end of this street to reach the Route d’Obernai. Turn left onto it. A few metres further on, you’ll rejoin the greenway; take it on the right. Take another wide bend to the right to catch a glimpse of the Obernai hillsides and Mont National. You’ll emerge into a wooded area.

(4) Walk alongside the grounds of the Léonardsau estate. Continue straight on, then take a bend to the left which leads to Ottrott via the Chemin des Aulnes.

(5) Turn right onto this road to reach the Route de Boersch. Cross the River Ehn and, slightly to your right, take Rue du Schliffweg, which leads to a roundabout.

(6) Cross the roundabout to reach Rue du Colonel de Witt Guizot. Continue along this street until you reach the junction with Château du Windeck and its grounds. Stay on Rue Principale until you reach a rustic stone staircase.

(7) Take the steps; they lead onto a fairly steep path. You’ll emerge onto Rue des Sapins, which runs alongside the cemetery. At the junction with Rue des Châteaux, take the path straight ahead. You’ll emerge onto Rue du Mont Sainte-Odile; turn right onto it. The Pilgrims’ Trail is signposted with a Yellow Cross; follow this to Mont Sainte-Odile.

(8) Then continue downwards, following the Yellow Saltire markings. Cross a large meadow towards the Col de Stollhafen. The path then runs alongside the cliffs, leading to the Etichon cave.

(9) From here, the ‘Sentier des Merveilles’ (Path of Wonders) begins, featuring its sculptures. You’ll soon reach another junction of paths.

(10) Leave the path marked with a Yellow Saltire on your left and take the one marked with a Blue Saltire opposite. Walk past the Rochers des Géants to reach a viewpoint before beginning the descent towards the castles of Ottrott. You’ll reach the forest ranger’s cottage at the foot of Rathsamhausen Castle.

(11) Leave the ‘Blue Saltire’ path on your left and take the path marked with a ‘Red Rectangle’. Cross a tarmac road.

(12) Carry on straight ahead, following the Yellow Ring markings, to reach the roundabout you passed on the way there.

(6) Turn left onto Rue du Schliffweg. Join the greenway and follow the same route as on the way there to Rosheim (S/E).

Shelters: Etichon Cave, Elsberg Hut
Water source: Mont Sainte-Odile

(Between 6 and 7) The Windeck Park, situated behind the castle, covers 11 hectares and features a wide variety of exotic trees, with tiered ponds, scenic views and a very harmonious layout of paths. As the park is owned by the Foyer de Charité, you simply need to report to the entrance before visiting.

(8) Hohenbourg Abbey, a convent overlooking the Alsace plain, founded by Saint Odile, patron saint of Alsace

(Between 9 and 10) The ‘Path of Wonders’ and its sculptures by Alfred Baumgart, a woodcutter from the Guebwiller valleys. Since 1975, he has created a series of animal sculptures using nothing but his chainsaw. In 1993, he became world runner-up in this art form.

(10) The remains of an ancient wall, the ‘Mur Païen’.

(11) The two castle ruins of Ottrott on the Elsberg plateau, at an altitude of nearly 500 metres: those of Rathsamhausen and Lutzelbourg. For safety reasons, these are normally closed to the public.