Cosswiller walks

Come and discover the improvements made by Otto Mencke at the end of the 19th century on the outskirts of Romanswiller: the small diversion canal from the Ziegbach which feeds a waterfall cascading from a rock. Then climb up to Heidenschloss to enjoy a beautiful view of the Mossig valley and continue on to Rotfels where you will see Wangenbourg Castle through the trees.

Between Romanswiller and Wangenbourg, this route allows you to visit the two medieval castles of Freudeneck and Wangenbourg and ends at the rocky outcrop of Heidenschloss. Moderator's warning on 01/02/2021: Please note! Due to orientation issues, some hikers have added directions in the comments at the bottom of this page. 15/05/2024: Route modified to avoid private property.

You will walk through the Westhoffen vineyards towards the top of the hill to reach the “Cherry Conservation Orchard”. Here you can discover the different varieties of cherry trees found in the region. The walk continues past the Westhoffen Dog Club and then on towards the Geisweg Rest Stop. Don’t miss the “Sequoia” before heading back down towards Westhoffen.

The cherry capital seen in a different light!The elevation gain is by no means insurmountable, far from it, and yet the view of the village is surprising.

A very pretty little hike with splendid views of the vineyards and orchards of Westhoffen and Wangen. Best done in spring, when the fruit trees are in bloom, or in autumn, when the vineyards are changing colour.

This route starts from Freudeneck, a hamlet between Romanswiller and Wangenbourg, and takes in some of the region's points of interest: castles, waterfalls and viewpoints. There are several places to stop for a picnic along the way: Heidenschloss, Rotfels, Wangenbourg Castle, Abri Trois Forestiers, etc.

This shaded trail takes you to two castles, bucolic spots, steep-sided, musical valleys and a surprising cave. Here you will find peace and quiet, coolness, the birdsong of nature and pure air. 15/05/2024: Route modified to avoid private property.

This route takes you through the vineyards of Alsace's "Suisse d'Alsace" region, along the Alsace Wine Route, passing through villages near Balbronn. Winegrowers line the route, offering visitors the chance to stop for a quick tour of their cellars and, why not, a tasting. The Loejele is a wooden barrel used to carry drinks to the fields, vineyards and forests. A third of the hike is on tracks or tarmac roads.

A lovely little family walk, suitable even for very young children. The walk starts at the car park of the Domaine Xavier Muller, where, at the end of the walk, adults can perhaps enjoy a wine tasting whilst the children play in the small playground and watch the animals going about their business around you. During the season, from March to the end of August, you’ll also see around ten stork nests and can admire these beautiful birds in flight.

Departure from Arthur Metz in Marlenheim. (Follow the Anneau Rouge route from the foot of the vineyards). A short climb through the vineyards, then through the forest towards Wasselonne. Cross the main road and join the climb towards the Wangen Forest. Descend through the vineyards towards the village and return via the cycle path in front of the Xavier Muller estate. Beautiful views of the forests, vineyards and Strasbourg in the distance.

A short, easy walk offering beautiful views of the Vosges, the Alsace plain and the Kochersberg. Can be shortened to 6 or 8 km without difficulty.

Come and discover the vineyards, forest and meadows of Marlenberg. A pleasant hike in the hills above Marlenheim, the northern gateway to the Alsace Wine Route.

An easy walk with little elevation gain, exploring the outskirts of Marlenheim to the south between Wangen and Odratzheim. Discover a beautiful stables in Wangen, followed by a detour through the vineyards and a return across the fields to the starting point.

This route, marked by the Club Vosgien with a red ring, gives (too) much prominence to carriageways and sections of road, making it ideal for groups. Sometimes very stony, especially in the southern sector of Hohengoeft, it requires good footwear. It offers beautiful panoramic views and is a lovely walk to do in the off-season or when the temperature is not too high, as it is almost exclusively in the open.

This route starting from Marmoutier takes you on a circular route through the Tannenwald Forest. It is not particularly difficult, with fairly gentle slopes. The hike passes through Moulin de Champagne and Buchberg, among other places.

A lovely circular route starting from the entrance to Obersteigen, mostly through woodland if you ignore the areas of clear-cutting. The forest paths and tracks taken are very accessible, with no major difficulties and minimal elevation gain. Passing by the Rocher Jean-Jacques Froelich and the Heidenschloss, where a table and a shelter provide a place to rest and enjoy a view of the plain when the trees have shed their leaves.

At the start of the Alsace Wine Route, discover the charm of the town of Marlenheim and the typical villages that surround it. A lovely ride that allows you to admire the Alsatian vineyards whilst staying mainly in the villages near the cellars and, why not, enjoy an impromptu wine tasting along the way! The name of the route, “Riewerle”, comes from a special tap used to draw a sample for tasting the wine.

A simple circular route above Wangenbourg, passing via the Col des Pandours.

This hike involves a strenuous climb, but at the top of Lottelfels you will find an orientation table and a beautiful view of the Alsace plain. You can picnic at the top of Lottelfels or at the Schneeberg refuge.

Short loop on the heights of Marlenheim around Stephansberg, passing through Wasselonne. Views of Marlenheim, Scharrach and Wasselonne. Passage through Les Roches near Altenberg, where there are opportunities for rock climbing.

A lovely forest walk offering views over Wangenbourg Engenthal at the start. The route passes close to the Rocher du Dabo, overlooked by the Chapel of Saint-Léon, which you can visit by taking a detour of about 30 minutes, and/or you can also visit Dabo in 20 minutes. You can also enjoy a lovely view from the Himbeerfels, provided it isn’t obscured by the treetops. Finally, Obersteigen is home to a beautifully restored 13th-century chapel.

Circular hike mainly through the forest. Starting from Steigenbach, we head to the ruins of Freudeneck Castle, then through Wolfsthal to the well-preserved Wangenbourg Castle, where you can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a beautiful view.

From the ‘Little Switzerland’ of Alsace to the Bruche Valley, this seventh stage of the journey through the Vosges, presented by Passion Vosges magazine published by DNA and L’Alsace, takes you through the wild heights of the Schneeberg and introduces you to the castles and the Nideck Waterfall between Wangenbourg-Engenthal and Urmatt. A stage narrated by Romain Gascon. The entire route follows the Red Rectangle, unless otherwise stated.

A short, pleasant and easy hike, mostly through forest, which can be done all year round. Suitable for children as the elevation gain is minimal. It takes you to the Sattelfels Menhir, which owes its name to its saddle-shaped top (sattel in German). The site is renowned for its rich vibrational energy.

A pleasant hike in the sandstone foothills of Obersteigen, in the Little Switzerland of Alsace, on the border between the departments of Bas-Rhin and Moselle.

Circuit for visiting Scharrach Hill, combining cycle paths and vineyard trails. Visit the ruins of the blockhouse at the highest point of Scharrach. Numerous viewpoints over the vineyards, the Vosges mountains and the neighbouring villages. Distant view of Strasbourg and its cathedral (for those with good eyesight).

The Pfaffenlapp and Breitberg rocks are two must-see sights in the area, each offering a beautiful view of the Bruche Valley. This route has the advantage of being on high ground and is therefore relatively easy.

Apart from the slightly steeper climb from the Gloriette du Geissfelwasen to the Rocher du Geissfels, this short hike is not difficult and is very pleasant, despite the last kilometre before the finish being on the road. The view from the Geissfels is 360° and well worth the detour.

A beautiful hike in the Marmoutier hinterland, offering views of stunning rock formations in the Vosges mountains.

A lovely walk that allows us to discover the beautiful Alsatian countryside, starting from Nordheim and passing by Saint-Wendelin Chapel and the Goeftberg viewpoint.

Between Lorraine and Alsace on the ridges of the Northern Vosges. A hike in the hills with views of the Lorraine plateau (the Sarrebourg region) and the Alsace plain (Molsheim).

The undulating paths you will follow on this lovely circular route, starting from the Billebaum car park, will take you to the heart of several Alemannic legends (La Spill, a 10-metre-high vertical monolith), to the Geissfels (a magnificent rock with a 40-metre drop and a remarkable view over Dabo), then, in the second stage, to the ruined Ochsenstein Castle (three 12th-century castles built on three sandstone spurs, with the summit area off-limits) and, continuing on from there, the long rocky plateau of the Schlossberg. Finally, the third stage takes in the Wuestenberg plateau, an ancient oppidum and Celtic place of worship (pagan wall, druid stone), the southern end of which begins with the Krappenfels, an enormous rock offering magnificent views, particularly of the Dabo rock.

Discover the beautiful ruins of Ochsenstein Castle after walking along the impressive rocky outcrops of Wuestenberg, Krappenfels and Schlossberg. The first part of this hike follows a well-shaded path, whilst the second part offers magnificent views over the Alsace plain. ⚠️ 21/04/2026: From spring 2025, parking is mandatory at the Billebaum car park (the road to the Haberacker forest house is now closed to motor traffic). This adds a 15-minute walk (one way) to the forest house, via a small path to the left of the forest road, and does not add any elevation gain to this hike.

A very pretty undulating loop trail with various options for the return.Paths in the undergrowth run alongside or through beautiful, imposing pink sandstone rocks: Schoenfels, Pfannenfels, Kelchfels, Marguerite, Grotte des Francs Tireurs and, optionally, Neubaufels and Seebfels.

This short walk will take you to the sandstone "table rocks" typical of the Northern Vosges, with a visit to the medieval Ochsenstein Castle, perched atop one of these rocks.

A lovely circular route from Oberhaslach to Wangenbourg, passing through the Col des Pandours on the way out. Then on to Bergbieten by mountain bike before returning to Oberhaslach.Most of the route follows tracks suitable for vehicles. There are a few technical sections on fairly short single tracks.

A pleasant walk and magnificent scenery in the Oberhaslach Forest.

The climb from the Ringelstahl Forest House to the Fallenlapp rock (altitude 650m) through a beautiful beech forest will take you to a magnificent viewpoint over the entrance to the Bruche Valley. The place is enchanting, ideal for meditation or a picnic. A little further on, the Breitberg rock also offers an interesting viewpoint.The elevation gain to Fallenlapp is significant (approximately 170m) but remains reasonable.

This hike across varied terrain takes you around three mountain ranges via the Schleif and Wetzlach passes and offers some lovely views. It also allows you to discover beautiful rock formations and other unusual spots.

This circular walk, which passes by the ruins of Ochsenstein Castle, offers some beautiful views: on one side, the Saverne-Wasselonne area; on the other, the Dabo region.

The Saverne State Forest has many unusual and mysterious places to offer, and this beautiful hike through the undergrowth is a fine example.Pass through the ruins of the Ochsenstein castles (the Grand, the Petit and Wachelheim), along the pretty Schlossberg ridge path to the Krappenfels Rock viewpoint. Further on, the Wuesterberg ridge path leads to the Mur Païen and the Pierre des Druides, the remains of an ancient Celtic place of worship.After these few bumps, it's easier going to reach the Schweizerberg plateau and the Neubaufels gazebo, finally arriving at the enormous fractured rock of the Seebfels. Please note: the summit of the Ochsenstein castles is now closed to the public.

If you are looking for a varied hike alternating between wide panoramic views from a ridge and a valley with meadows, undergrowth and vineyards, you will not be disappointed. There is also a touch of local history linked to the most important German fortification of the late 19th century.

A walk in the forest, in a designated quiet area, starting from the Schaeferplatz forest house.

This walk takes you on a journey through the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. On the wine route, pass through vineyards and villages near Dahlenheim. Peace and nature are the hallmarks of this beautiful walk. Along the route, numerous wine cellars open their doors to you and invite you to taste the wines of our region. The name of the walk, "Rutscherle", comes from a small glass traditionally used for tastings.

A lovely hike in the forest around the Ringelsberg and Nideck castles, passing by the monumental Vosges sandstone sculptures on the Sandweg and the beautiful Nideck waterfall. Several beautiful views of the region from Hohenstein, Haut Nideck and Hirschfels Rock.

A classic hike in the Bas-Rhin region. There are dozens of marked trails in the area, but I opted for a (very) cool late winter version. It's an easy hike that's accessible for families. Be careful on the steps leading up to the ruins of the Nideck Castles, which offer a magnificent view at an altitude of just under 500 metres. The steps are narrow, but you don't have to climb them to enjoy the view. Children may prefer to stay at the foot of the castle to admire the surroundings. Then there's the waterfall, which is very pretty at the end of winter when the flow is stronger.

Hike starting from Haegen, where you can see beautiful wooden statues (witches, Hansel and Gretel's house, etc.), the Chappe telegraph, Haut-Barr, and some beautiful climbs!

A short, unpretentious route passing by the ruins of the Grand and Petit Ringelstein castles. Small viewpoint of the valley at Grand Ringelstein Castle. Route circuit, but steep in places.

A walk that allows you to explore the dry hills of Jesselsberg and Scharrach, protected and managed by the Conservatoire des Sites Alsaciens. You can take a short detour via Kaltenbrunnen and reach Soultz via the Chemin des Casemates. The return route takes you past the Horn, an imposing statue of the Sacred Heart erected in 1912, which offers a beautiful view of the vineyards.

A very beautiful hike, suitable for families, which leads to notable sights while offering beautiful panoramic views.

This route through the forest takes you up to the higher parts of the village and to lesser-known sites such as the ruins of Petit Ringelsberg Castle, the Gallo-Roman remains, and the ruins of Ringelstein and Hohenstein Castles. A quick visit to Saint-Florent Chapel is a must, where numerous ex-votos are on display.

Welcome to the Mutzig-Molsheim region. A destination for everyone, situated in the heart of Alsace, on the Wine Route, around twenty kilometres from Strasbourg. This walk will take you through varied landscapes as you discover rural crosses that stand along or at the crossroads of paths, erected to the glory of God to mark various family events, both happy and tragic.

Landscapes of the Northern Vosges, combining unspoilt nature, medieval ruins and forgotten legends. Passing by Hohenstein Castle and its belvedere, the hike crosses the Petit Ringeslberg and offers a return trip to the Rocher du Pfaffenlapp, a spectacular rock formation. Then head for the Kasperlehepp Pond, nestled in a small clearing, a peaceful body of water surrounded by reeds and ferns. Continuing the climb, you reach the ruins of Nideck Castle, perched on a rocky promontory. Further on, below, a path accessible by steps allows you to approach the Nideck Waterfall, some twenty metres high, which cascades down a basalt wall, forming a circular loop rich in discoveries. Legend has it that a young giantess, while walking here, discovered a tiny man in a field. Intrigued, she took him back to her father, giving rise to the legend of the Giants of Nideck, immortalised by the Brothers Grimm.

This hike first climbs to the Wilberg Pass along the Grand Weinbaechel. We then cross to the other side of the Hasel valley to climb up to the iconic Nideck waterfall, nestled in its wild and wooded setting, passing the Hirschfels promontory. Next, we discover the unusual elliptical enclosure of Petit Ringelsberg and the ruins of Hohenstein Castle.

Le Nideck is well known and quite popular. This circuit takes you past several points of interest and has a few pleasant surprises in store. It has the advantage of passing through some uncrowded areas and along a slightly exposed path with beautiful views. The hike does not include the bottom of the waterfall, which can however be easily reached by adding a 50m climb.

This relatively short circuit is ideal for family walks with children (please note that it does have a significant elevation gain). It takes you to the Oberhaslach Forest, where you can see the strange sculptures that are part of the Sandweg Symposium. It is a walk that combines art and nature for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy your hike!

This is a pleasant and easy forest route that does not require a high level of fitness, as most of the route is on forest roads.Please follow the practical information regarding the markings.

Circular mountain bike route through the beautiful Bois d’Urmatt and Lutzelhouse State Forest. The route starts at the edge of the village of Oberhaslach (large car park next to the village hall) and climbs to the summit of the Noll, mainly along forest tracks. There are some lovely views along the route, including the section passing above the Soultzbach Waterfall, the Giant Sequoia, the magnificent Lutzelhouse Club Vosgien chalet, the shelter at the Col du Narion (‘La Baraque aux juifs’) and the section skirting the Rocher de Mutzig. There are also some beautiful sculptures dotted along the route.

Nideck Waterfall, Ruins of Nideck Castle, Schneeberg, Ruins of Petit Ringelsberg, Ruins of Grand Rengelsberg.

In the magnificent forest of Oberhaslach, a mecca for hiking, and amongst the multitude of trails, including the well-known “Sculpture Trail” and those of “Nideck Castle and Waterfall”, “Schneeberg”, “Ringelstein” and “Hohenstein”, or even the “Petit Katzenberg” trail, there is a pass, the Wildberg Pass, which is less well-known but certainly deserves to be better known.Starting from the large car park at the village hall at the end of the village of Oberhaslach, the route climbs steadily and gently, without difficulty, along paths and forest tracks lined with small streams to the Wildberg Pass, before descending with lovely views, particularly of the Schneeberg. A varied route, with almost 90% of the route through woodland; a short stretch of tarmac at the start and finish, otherwise forest roads, a few forest tracks (some not marked by the CV) and lovely paths.

This is the story of the hermit Saint Florent (6th century), an Irish monk whose pilgrimage continues to this day. Pilgrims used to pass through the Pfaffenlapp and Breitberg rocky areas, as the monk soon attracted disciples to the Ringelberg. Saint Florent was the 7th Bishop of Strasbourg and founded a monastery on his lands in Niederhaslach; a collegiate church was later established there in the 11th century.

This hike will take you to a fantastic viewpoint over the steep valley where the Nideck waterfall is nestled (Hirschfels viewpoint). The rest of the hike takes you a little higher up to the Schneeberg, one of the highest peaks in the Northern Vosges, which rises to 961 metres. The return journey takes you back to the Nideck waterfall, which will provide a welcome cool respite after climbing 700 metres!

This hike starting from the valley takes you to discover one of the most iconic sites in the Vosges sandstone mountains, between the spectacular waterfall and the medieval ruins of Nideck. A condensed history and raw nature for a total immersion.

This route allows you to discover the iconic Nideck Waterfall and two streams: the Luttenbach and the Weinbaechel. All three flow into the Hasel stream, which gave its name to this valley. During this walk along the water, you will also pass close to the Hirschfels Rock and the ruins of the Nideck and Hohenstein castles.

There are numerous routes leading to the waterfall and the ruins of Nideck Castle. Here is a fairly short and easy alternative. Furthermore, it is a circular route, with the return journey passing by Hirschfels Rock.

A charming walk through the vineyards around Wolxheim and Avolsheim. Along this route, you can discover magnificent little chapels and pilgrimage sites: Notre-Dame d'Altbronn, the statue of the Sacred Heart, Saint-Denis, Saint-Ulrich, Dompeter and Saint-Armuth.

An easy walk through forest and vineyards, discovering the Laegerbrunnen fountain, the summit of Dreispitz (Three Peaks) and the Heilig Hiesel chapel.

Welcome to the Mutzig-Molsheim region, located in the heart of Alsace, on the Wine Route, about 20 kilometres from Strasbourg. This hike takes you on an excursion into the Bruche Valley, with landscapes of forests, fields and villages, as well as a panoramic view from the Schiebenberg hill. Enjoy your hike!

This lovely, shaded walk offers beautiful views of the forest and the Rocher de Dabo with its Saint-Léon Chapel. It passes by the Château du Ochsentein, as well as several points of interest such as the Ottenad-Keller Fountain, a pagan wall, the Druids’ Stone and the Jean-Louis Haemmerlin Fountain.

From the valley floor up to the summits, passing the forest lodges at Schaeferplatz and Haberacker, the medieval Ochsenstein Castle and the sandstone rock formations of the Schlossberg and Krappenfels. A lovely walk with a bit of elevation gain and a few kilometres to ensure you have a pleasant day out.

An easy mountain bike ride that allows you to explore the surroundings of Mutzig and Dorlisheim.

A loop to discover the chapels near Molsheim. This circuit runs through the vineyards and along the Bruche Canal.

The Saverne region, and more specifically the Haut Barr area, towards Brotschberg and Hirschberg, forms a vast network of hiking routes. This suggested route features numerous points of interest (ruined castles, striking rock formations and viewpoints), all set amidst woodland. Take the time to observe the natural surroundings, the surrounding mountains and other geological features, and soak up the atmosphere of these places steeped in history.

A forest walk with some stunning views of the Vosges foothills. Visit the ruins of three castles: Haut-Barr, Grand Geroldseck and Petit Geroldseck, as well as the Brotsch Tower (built in 1897 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Club Vosgien’s founding in Saverne), and the cave.

Visit the magnificent Château du Haut-Barr, built on crags of pink sandstone, whose current layout dates back to 1583. Then enjoy a lovely descent through the forest towards Saverne, followed by a return to the château via the eastern flank of the Haut-Barr.

This hike, lasting a good hour, allows you to discover three very different castles: Haut-Barr, restored with viewing platforms offering breathtaking views; Grand Geroldseck, where you can see the major restoration work carried out over decades by enthusiasts; and Petit Geroldseck, which is more rugged.

The Bacchus tours take you on a journey of discovery through the Alsatian vineyards. The Trötele reveals the landscapes around Molsheim: a succession of meadows, vineyards, hills, forests and villages. Crossing the protected natural site of Jesselsberg in Soultz-les-Bains. Trötele means grape press in Alsatian.

This is a fairly easy walk, mainly through the forest, on the heights of Mutzig, where you can discover a few points of interest: the Heilig Hiesel chapel, the Geissfels rock, the Drei Spitze summit, and, optionally, a dam on the Bruche.

An easy walk suitable for families. It’s a circular route with a short stretch through the heart of the forest.

A trail rich in discoveries. Throughout the route, this trail offers numerous remarkable viewpoints as well as points of interest dotted along the way. These elements help to make this day a memorable experience, combining discovery and enjoyment. Each of the sites visited allows you to broaden your knowledge whilst enjoying a leisurely walk, ideal for immersing yourself in the region’s natural and historical heritage. Highlights of this hike: the Wuestenberg Plateau – the castles of Ochsenstein, Petit Geroldseck, Grand Geroldseck, Haut Barr and finally the Brostch Cave and Tower.

This hike starts in the valley and climbs into the forest, passing several viewpoints over the Alsace plain. The Brotsch Tower and three castles are worth visiting if you have time, as is the tower of the old Chappe telegraph. The entire walk takes place in the forest. Beautiful sandstone and puddingstone rocks line the route.

This walk takes you through varied landscapes – vineyards, woodland and traditional villages – and allows you to discover various places of worship (chapels, churches and statues). Gain some height at the panoramic viewpoints to admire the valley stretching out below you (Schiebenberg, Heilih Hiesel Chapel, Mutzig).As you pass through the medieval town of Mutzig, you can take a detour through the town centre to find restaurants or tea rooms for a bite to eat. ⚠️13/08/2026: Route amended to avoid the rocky path between (8) and (9), which is closed by a permanent municipal order.

This route starts in Molsheim and goes around the entire hill where Fort Mutzig is located.It alternates between vineyards, forests and meadows, allowing you to discover some remains from the First World War.There are no particular difficulties apart from a few steep climbs in the vineyards and perhaps the considerable length of the walk.

This route is a treat for those who love narrow paths and the peaceful atmosphere of the forests of the Northern Vosges. There are several beautiful viewpoints and rocks along the route. You will also discover the archaeological site of Wasserwald, where our Celtic ancestors, known as the Mediomatrici by the Romans, lived more than 1,500 years ago.

A beautiful hike with numerous castle ruins, including Haut Barr, known as the "eye of Alsace", and a trail through a forest with stunning autumn colours. The trails are very well marked and maintained by the Club Vosgien.The elevation gain is significant, so take this into account to fully appreciate all the charms of this hike.

A walk where you’ll have the chance to see the Rappenfels, the Saint-Vit Cave and its beautiful garden, and the Greifenstein.

This walk takes you along the Bruche River to the Dompeter d'Avolsheim, the oldest church in Alsace. After passing through the village centre, the route takes you to the Saint-Ulrich Chapel, where you can admire its ancient frescoes before returning to Molsheim along the other bank of the Bruche. We hope you enjoy your walk!

Starting from the Molsheim municipal campsite, explore the Fort de Mutzig site.This walk is also offered by the Molsheim-Mutzig Tourist Office, but starting from Mutzig. On this section, it is signposted with a Green Ring.A very varied route taking in the town, vineyards and forests, not to mention the banks of the Bruche.There are some beautiful views of the towns of Molsheim and Mutzig, as well as the Bruche valley.