From Linsdorf to Bettlach via the Casemates Trail

Parking at the Mairie-École car park in Linsdorf Rue de la Paix.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, turn right and walk up Rue de la Paix (D9B). After the town hall/school, turn right into Rue du Cesarhof, ignore Rue du Maréchal Joffre on your right, and continue to the next crossroads.

Blue Ring trail markers

(1) Turn left up Rue du Plan. At the bend, make a first turn left then right and continue straight ahead along the path running alongside the housing estate to the last house.

(2) Turn right onto the track running along the edge of the forest. Further on, at the junction with a track on the right (antenna on the right-hand side), continue straight ahead for about 500 m until you reach the start of a path on the right.

(3) Leave the track and turn right onto this path, which offers a beautiful view of Linsdorf and Bettlach. Enter the woods and join the forest path. Turn right and, at the next crossroads, turn left and continue along the path through the woods. The path leads to the edge of the Forstfeld field, bordered on the opposite side by a series of bunkers. These can be accessed by walking around the field and back. Continue tothe next crossroads.

(4) At the Forstfeld crossroads, turn right and continue to the car park and picnic area at the edge of the D21b.

(5) At the car park, turn right and follow the forest path straight ahead until you reach the junction with a path on the left at a place called Weiherle.

(6) Turn left and continue along the track until you reach Route de Folgensbourg (D21bis).

Yellow Ring trail markers

(7) Cross Route de Folgensbourg with caution and follow the Yellow Ring marked trail, first along the edge of the forest, then through woods and fields to Rue de Bâle (D12bisIV).

(8) Cross Rue de Bâle with caution and follow the track opposite to reach the hamlet of La Fuste, with its statue and shelter.

(9) To return to Bettlach, continue south along the trail. At^{the first} crossroads, at the edge of the forest, turn right, at the^second crossroads turn across the fields, continue straight ahead and arrive at the crossroads at the edge of the forest. Turn right until you reach the entrance to Bettlach on Rue de Bâle (D12bIV).

(10) Cross Rue de Bâle with caution, turn left and follow the road for about 50 metres, then turn right into Rue de la Tuilerie. After the left-hand bend, join Route de Folgensbourg (D12b).

(11) Cross it again with caution, and turn right then left onto Chemin de la Carrière. Ignore the^first path on the right, take the^{second one} for about 40 metres and join Sentier des Casemates.

(12) To visit the casemates, turn right towards the north on the path and make a circular loop following the yellow ring markings. There are three forts in a row: the^first is "Casemate d'infanterie 111 Bettlach Sud" and the^second is "Casemate d'infanterie 110 Bettlach".
Finish the circular path by returning south on the wide path, turn left after about 20 metres and then right to visit the^third, "Casemate d’infanterie 112 Bettlach Nord" (Bettlach North Infantry Casemate), which offers a beautiful view of the Jura mountains.

(13) Retrace your steps and turn left, continuing straight ahead for about 500 metres until you reach the multiple junction (IGN elevation 459).

Blue Ring trail markers

(14) Follow the path downhill to the left. At the crossroads at the bottom of the valley, take the track on the left. After a final short climb, the path descends to the fields of Linsdorf.

(15) At the Rittmatten crossroads, continue straight ahead across the fields along the path leading to Rue du Réservoir, then Grand Rue.

(16) Leave Grand Rue, turn right onto Rue du Maréchal Joffre, then left onto Rue du Ruisseau and finally right onto Rue de la Paix to reach the car park (S/E).

The entire route is covered by two types of markings, the Blue Ring (70%) and the Yellow Ring (30%). Some parts of the route follow routes with two or three different markings.

The Maginot Line forts on the Sentier des Casemates are accessible all year round. Bring a good torch if you want to visit the interior of the structures.

My hiking equipment: a mobile phone with GPS, Visorando*** for reading gpx tracks and recording the route, and good hiking boots.

Thanks to the Club Vosgien for marking and maintaining the trails.
Club Vosgien trail markers

Slideshow From Linsdorf to Bettlach via the Casemates Trail

The farming museum in Oltingue

Landskron Castle

Ferrette