From Ribeauvillé to Dusenbach Monastery through the woods

This short walk will take you to Dusenbach whilst avoiding the road to Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, which is dangerous. From Dusenbach, you can walk up to the Taennchel or the castles.

Details

1591018
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.27 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 686 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 666 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,391 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 879 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is on Rue du 3 Décembre, opposite the small blocks of flats with a small car park (near number 70).

(S/E) With your back to the car park, turn right onto Rue du 3 Décembre and follow it for about 200 metres.

(1) Turn left onto Rue Saint-Morand (numerous markers from the Club Vosgien). At the Fork in the road that appears shortly afterwards, turn right. Follow the Yellow Cross markers. The path has been bulldozed for about a hundred metres but is very pleasant after that.

(2) At the junction, carry on straight ahead following the ‘Yellow Cross’ signposts. Follow the contour line for a while, then descend into the Strengbach valley.

(3) At the bottom, take the hairpin bend to the right. Cross the bridge, cross the road with care and follow it to the right for 100 metres. Then turn left towards Dusenbach.

(4) Turn left onto the Way of the Cross, which climbs up to the monastery. Ignore a few side paths. When you reach the monastery (open to visitors), turn right and you’ll come to a small road.

(5) Follow this road to the right, towards Ribeauvillé, for 300 metres. Then leave the road and take the Maria Raydt Trail, which branches off to the left towards Ribeauvillé (marked with a Blue Triangle). This lovely trail passes through the woods, past a lovely viewpoint, then past an educational orchard, and finally through vineyards.

(6) When you reach the road, follow it to the left until you reach the roundabout. Then turn right onto Rue du 3 Décembre.

(1) Continue along Rue du 3 Décembre to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 892 ft - Rue du 3 Décembre – Small car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 912 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.54 - alt. 1,122 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.22 - alt. 1,027 ft - Turn right towards the bridge at the - Strengbach (rivière)
  5. 4 : mi 1.46 - alt. 1,007 ft - Start of the Stations of the Cross
  6. 5 : mi 1.89 - alt. 1,371 ft - A small road after the - Le Monastère de Dusenbach
  7. 6 : mi 2.85 - alt. 915 ft - Route
  8. S/E : mi 3.27 - alt. 892 ft - Rue du 3 Décembre – Small car park

Notes

The IGN map contains inaccuracies: please refer to the route description.

Light refreshments available at the monastery (enquire). Picnic tables at the foot of the Way of the Cross.

Worth a visit

Visit Ribeauvillé and Dusenbach Monastery. Check their website for mass times and catering.

Beauvilléfactory outlet near the start of the walk. (High-end fabrics)

At the foot of Ribeauvillé, there is a casino with a spa.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 5550982

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk on the way there without any major issues, but the return trip from the monastery was difficult and it took us a long time to find the right path.

Machine-translated

User 5550982

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Advertised as easy? More like a bit risky! The signposting is very sparse, the paths are difficult, but the route is excellent.

Machine-translated

User 11413186

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Machine-translated

pasci59
pasci59
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike through the forest (ideal when it's very hot). The only difficulty is the climb up to the monastery via the Way of the Cross.

Machine-translated

Jacques R
Jacques R

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a varied route, mostly through forest, with pleasant views to enhance the experience

Machine-translated

jldequin
jldequin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent and surprising walk.
Starting in the woods, ideal in hot weather, the climb up to the monastery is surprising with its Stations of the Cross, leading to this monastery nestled in the greenery.
We didn't meet anyone until we reached Ribeauville on the way back.
A must-do to stretch your legs and take a break from the crowds in the village.

Machine-translated

virgule
virgule

Well done to him

Machine-translated

PeterSmith
PeterSmith

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk in the woods - the hillside, the river and the monastery are very beautiful.
Done with a toddler (2 and a half years old - but without a pushchair, and a very good walker).

Machine-translated

MimiCalou
MimiCalou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely woodland walk with lots to see, including a church. Highly recommended

Machine-translated

olivier56220
olivier56220

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk with the Way of the Cross and a visit to the chapels with a very interesting history of the monastery.
We had a great time in the peace and serenity of this natural setting and its architecture.
I highly recommend this walk 😀

Machine-translated

buck
buck

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route takes in some very beautiful paths with fine views of the château on the first section and ND de Dusenbach and the valley on the return path to Ribeauvillé.

Machine-translated

abbamoin68
abbamoin68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely route from Ribeauvillé, with views of the town and castles; beautiful path through the woods, beautiful climb to the monastery via the imposing Way of the Cross. Visit the church, where a magnificent and imposing nativity scene is on display, a must-see.
Beautiful path on the way back to Maria Reydt.

Machine-translated

pierre.bonifay
pierre.bonifay

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting route, well done to the Club Vosgien for maintaining a path that is often marked out on very steep and crumbly slopes. Nice views of 2 of the 3 Ribeauvillé châteaux and the vineyards on the way down. Very pretty undergrowth too. The Way of the Cross on the way up to the monastery is very original.

Machine-translated

mmasson
mmasson

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely route in very fine weather. Starting from Ribeauvillé, a fine view of the 3 châteaux.
At the bottom of the descent onto the main road, the path is a bit rocky, sloping and obstructed by a few tree branches.
The visit to the chapel of the Dusenbach monastery is very relaxing and the site is very well documented. The blue triangle path on the descent to Ribeauvillé requires attention because of roots and stones.

Machine-translated

Sebbod81
Sebbod81

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk up to the monastery with the life-size Way of the Cross. Really good time and lovely scenery.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.