Col de Wineckerthal (358 mètres) walks

This hike in the Northern Vosges will allow you to discover five castles which, although less well known than Fleckenstein, are just as worthy of a visit! Much of the walk takes place on small forest paths, making it very pleasant in hot weather.

Northern Alsace is renowned for its castles. This route allows you to explore five of them: Nouveau and Vieux Windstein, Wittschloessel, Wineck and Schoeneck. A detour also allows you to see the ‘Man’s Rock’ and ‘Woman’s Rock’, as well as a magnificent view over Dambach and Neunhoffen. This is a walk that constantly alternates between ascents and descents through the forest, some easier than others. Only the section towards Dambach is flat.

On this second stage of your journey through the Vosges with Passion Vosges, you’ll pass numerous castle ruins – it’s a whole different experience. It’s an opportunity to discover the technical and architectural feats achieved at the time in such a hostile environment. This is particularly true of the semi-troglodytic castles of the Northern Vosges, where you find yourself wondering every time how parts of the structure managed to cling to the rock faces. A dizzying question. This stage is described by Franck Buchy in *Passion Vosges*, the hiking magazine published by *DNA* and *L’Alsace*. The entire route follows the Red Rectangle, unless otherwise stated.

This is a large circular hike starting from Jaegerthal, the birthplace of the De Dietrich family, with its castle, park and the remains of the first forge near the car park. It is a long but peaceful hike, with a succession of small "bumps" and dotted with numerous fortified castles and remarkable rocks. The first part follows the "Sentier de la Ligne Maginot" (Maginot Line Trail) with a succession of bunkers in a surprisingly good state of preservation.