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Park in the car park opposite the Nideck Forest House.
(S/E) Head towards Wangenbourg-Engenthal, carefully following the D218 for just under a kilometre.
Blue Ring trail markers
(1) Turn right onto the forest path leading downhill to the junction of several forest paths (shared with theGR® 531 Blue Rectangle). Continue along the path towards the small Kasperlehep pond.
(2) Continue along the forest path to the Anlagen crossroads.
(3) Head south on the small, uneven path climbing up to Petit Ringelsberg in the direction of Oberhaslach and reach the ruins of Petit Ringelstein Castle, which you will cross.
(4) Continue along the steep path towards Grand Ringelsberg, passing through a few sandstone steps between small rocks.
(5) Climb up the other side; the path widens onto a flat section lined with larger rocks to reach the walls of the Grand Ringelstein castle (access to the top of the rock via sandstone steps).
(6) Descend the fairly steep forest path to reach the forest road below.
(7) Continue along this road, turning right towards Hohenstein Castle. After about 300 metres, there is a shelter on the right. Continue to the junction with the Sandweg forest road.
Yellow ring markings
(8) Take a detour to the left onto the Sandweg forest road to see the monumental Vosges sandstone sculptures. Return to the Château de Hohenstein on the left.
Blue Ring Markings
(9) Follow the path that winds through the chaos of stones leading to the ruins of Hohenstein Castle. Climb the sandstone stairs to reach the summit platform, which offers a beautiful view of the area.
(10) Take the path down to the Hohensteinwald Forest House and the D218 departmental road (Rue du Nideck), which you follow for about 100 metres on the left, towards Oberhaslach. Cross the Hasel bridge and turn right onto the Kastel forest road (shared with theGR® 53 Rectangle Rouge) for about 100 metres.
(11) Then turn right onto the path that runs along the Hasel behind the houses and the campsite (shared withthe GR® 53 Rectangle Rouge). You will come to the bridge over the river on your right. Join the D 218 and follow it to the right for 50 metres.
(12) Then take the steep Hirschfels path on the left and reach the Hirschfels Rock and its viewpoint.
(13) Continue along the Hirschfels path to the steps leading to the famous Nideck Waterfall.
(14) Walk to the foot of the Nideck waterfall and back, taking the steps, which are very stony, especially in the lower section.
(15) Turn back and take the forest path on the left to reach the wooden bridge over the Nideckbaechel stream.
(16) Take the path that climbs up to Nideck Castle. Reach the lower castle with its square keep and the upper castle (viewpoint). There is a picnic area at the lower castle on the forest path on the way back.
(17) Take the forest path to reach the car park where you started (shared withGR® 53 Rectangle Rouge) (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Tourist office
Difficult 
