On either side of the Zorn

Getting to the start:
By train: Saverne SNCF station is 1 km from Rue Erckmann-Chatrian.
By car: park on Rue Erckmann-Chatrian in Saverne.

(S/E) Walk up Rue Erckmann-Chatrian to the end. Turn right into Rue du Général Leclerc. Continue to the end, to the hotel car park.

(1) Take the path marked ‘Red Saltire’ towards Haut-Barr.

(2) After the castle, continue along the path towards Grand Geroldseck. Pass the Telegraph Tower and reach Grand Geroldseck a few hundred metres further on.

(3) Continue along the path towards Petit Geroldseck and then towards the Table des Sorcières, following the ‘Red Saltire’ markings at all times.

(4) At the Table des Sorcières, take the^GR®®53, signposted with a Red Rectangle, to reach the Tour du Brotsch.

(5) Carry on towards the Grotte du Brotsch. Pass by the Rocher du Brotsch and follow the path down to the cave. Then climb back up to the rock.

(6) Head down the path marked with a Red Ring on the left. Pass the Source des Pionniers. Pass the Grand Krappenfels and then the Rocher du Petit Krappenfels. There are several lovely viewpoints.

(7) Follow the path on the left marked with red-white-red Red Rectangles, heading towards Stambach. About 500 m further on, at the junction, cross a wide path by first turning right then left, then immediately turn right onto a path heading due north. It continues with a few hairpin bends before turning westwards to join a track. Turn left for a few tens of metres until you reach the start of the left-hand bend.

(8) Follow the path down to the right. Cross the railway line and follow the path down to the left. Cross the road (take care) and walk alongside the road to the left for 50 m, then take the path on the right towards Rappenfels. Cross the Zorn and then the canal. Turn left onto the towpath for a few tens of metres.

(9) Follow the^GR®®531path on the right, signposted with a Blue Rectangle. Turn left onto the track, then immediately take the path on the right uphill. Cross a track. Turn left onto a track, then take the path on the right uphill, which winds its way up in a series of hairpin bends to Rappenfels.

(10) Retrace your steps for about a hundred metres and continue straight on towards the Saint-Vit Cave along the path marked with a Blue Rectangle. At the junction with a track, continue straight on to reach the Saint-Vit Cave.

(11) Take the track towards Greifenstein. At the three-way junction, follow the middle path to a crossroads.

(12) Leave the^GR®®531temporarily and turn left towards Marienfels, which offers a beautiful view over the Ramsthal. Retrace your steps to the previous junction.

(12) Carry on straight ahead along the^GR®® to Greifenstein Castle. After a visit, if you wish, continue along the path that goes round the castle. Pass the castle and head to the junction with the path marked with a Yellow Saltire signpost.

(13) Head down to the right towards Ramsthal Pond. Continue to a wide path.

(14) Cross it and turn left. Follow the path marked with a Yellow Saltire sign downhill. Cross a track, then a ditch, then a road, then the Ruisseau de la Fontaine Mélanie, and turn right towards the Étang du Ramsthal. Continue along the tarmac path for about 150 m.

(15) Turn left before the level crossing. Marked with a ‘Green Disc’ sign. After the left-hand bend, take the path on the right (fitness trail) which runs alongside the Ruisseau de la Fontaine Mélanie. Further on, turn right; the path approaches the railway line and leads to a underpass beneath the tracks.

(16) Go under the railway line, cross the bridge over the River Zorn (Rue Lohbach) and then follow Rue du 19 Novembre to the left. After 100 m, at the traffic lights, cross the road and go up the steps leading to the canal embankment. Follow the canal to the left. Go up the path leading to the footbridge over the canal and cross it.

(17) Cross Rue du Haut-Barr and turn right. After 50 m, take Rue Erckmann-Chatrian on the left and head for the car park or the station (S/E).

No water points.
Shelters at the Grotte du Brotsch (under the overhanging rock) and at the Grottre Saint-Vit (inside the chapel).

Along the route:
The castles of Haut-Barr, Grand Geroldseck, Petit Geroldseck and Greifenstein.
The Brotsch and St Vit caves.
The Brotsch Tower.
The telegraph tower.
The Brotsch, Krappenfels, Rappenfels and Marienfels viewing rocks.
Off the trail:
The rose garden, the botanical garden and the old town of Saverne.