Exploring the Woods of Wattwiller

On the road towards Hartmannswillerkopf, on leaving the village of Wattwiller, park at the junction of the D5.3 with the road leading up to the Domaine du Hirtzenstein.

(S/E) Follow the road and cross the bridge to reach the start of the walk, which is the same as the start of the Vita trail. Take the path that runs alongside the Siehlbaechle stream, following the Vita trail (Blue Ring). After about 800 m, leave the Vita trail and continue straight on alongside the stream. The slope is a little steep. You’ll arrive at the Siehlbaechle waterfall.

(1) Cross the footbridge and take a moment to relax on the benches whilst listening to the sound of the flowing water. Then follow the Chemin des Dames (Blue Ring). After 1.6 km, at the junction, turn right and continue along the Chemin des Dames (Blue Ring). You’ll pass the Poste Gustave and the Crête sans Nom. Cross the Siehlbaechle stream again and continue to your right towards the east. When the path turns left, you’ll come to a junction.
Carry on straight ahead, heading towards the Serret Monument via the Impasse des Alpins. After the small Silberlochrunz waterfall, turn left towards the Serret Monument (Blue Ring).

(2) Retrace your steps, cross the PBAST footbridge again and turn left, heading towards the Hartmannswillerkopf via the Pointe Superbe (Blue Disc).

(3) At Pointe Superbe, enjoy the view over the plain with Wattwiller and Cernay in the foreground. Continue following the Blue Disc markings until you reach the next junction. Then turn right, following the Red Ring markings, to the first bunker, the highest point of the walk (927m).

(4) Turn right and begin the descent, heading towards Hirtzenstein (Yellow Triangle). The descent is quite steep, so please take care. You’ll pass numerous bunkers – Vexenkuche, Feste Bamber, U11, Feste Scheufele, Feste Bamberg – as you descend through the trench known as the ‘Suisse Lippique’. You’ll arrive at the German War Memorial.

(5) Turn right towards Hirtzenstein (Yellow Triangle). More bunkers follow, then the path meets the route marked with Blue Discs and Yellow Rings. Turn right; shortly afterwards you’ll reach another junction.

(6) Follow the Yellow Ring markings towards Hirtzenstein by turning right; let the Blue Disc path branch off to the left. Cross the footbridge over the Silberlochrunz stream. Continue to the car park at the Domaine du Hirtz.

(7) Take the botanical trail and follow the Yellow Disc markings. At the foot of the Rocher du Hirtzenstein, turn left towards Wattwiller. The path heads south-south-east, straight downhill, and reaches a junction after about 200 m.

(8) Turn right to join the Vita trail (Red Ring) and continue the descent due south back to the starting point (S/E).

There are several water points along the route, and tables and benches provide places to rest and have a snack whilst enjoying the idyllic countryside and views over the plain.
Make sure you wear suitable footwear.

The route is dotted with remnants of the battles that raged in 1915.