Eppenbrunn walks

Known as the Vosges Colorado or Alsace Colorado since the French Club Vosgien discovered this remarkable natural area relatively late in the 20th century, it is a magnet for hikers from France on fine days. Apart from the site itself, German forests are usually very quiet in autumn.Do not expect to see even the ruins of an ancient castle... nothing remains, but the real beauty of the site lies in the rocks with their magnificent colours.The French name is probably the result of an excellent marketing strategy, as this site is in no way comparable to the famous Provençal colorados (Rustrel or Roussillon). Apart from a few beautiful colours, it could more easily be compared to Luxembourg's Petite Suisse.However, the site is well worth a visit and even a detour!

Colorado du Bitcherland for some. This is a pink sandstone formation 1.5 km long, 35 m high and with four "towers" towering over visitors. No remains of the castle exist, but the unusual shapes, rocky overhangs and colours that change with the light of day enhance this rock formation. Trail marked with the German "Premiumweg" label.

Gentle climb to Eulenfels, a spectacular but little-visited rocky site. Pass through the Wusteichelsbach peat bogs before climbing gently to the breathtaking Altschlossfelsen rock formation (very popular). Return to Eppenbrunn via the Rocher de Diane, on the French-German border, and the Teufelstisch rocks.

Why is it called the Alsatian Colorado... when it's just across the border in Germany? Our German neighbours call it the Altschlossfelsen or "Old Castle Cliffs". In any case, this easy horse ride between France and Germany, with no major difficulties or steep slopes, allows you to discover this beautiful pink sandstone rock formation, hidden among the vegetation.A short, easy hike, ideal for families with children who enjoy walking.

A lovely forest path for the whole family. Lovely surprises will delight young and old alike. Start in the village or at the football ground, then follow the signs and markers along the way.

A breathtaking walk that will make you feel like you're travelling at the foot of the Grand Canyon. A place to visit again and again, attracting many hikers, this is a beautiful family hike with plenty of tables for picnicking in the shade of the trees.

Starting from the quiet little hamlet of Bremendell, this easy walk takes you through the forests of the Bitche region, taking in several notable sites, including the village of Sturzelbronn and its abbey, as well as the Luchsfelsen.

A beautiful walk in the Northern Vosges to discover the Colorado of Bitcherland.

The castles of Hanau - The Erbsenfels arch.

A lovely walk in warm weather, exploring beautiful little waterfalls and chapels along lovely leafy paths.

The trail marked with the "Premiumweg" label is a meeting point between Alsace and the Palatinate, between The Northern Vosges and the Wasgau: two of the most beautiful natural sites in Europe thanks to their landscape of endless forests, pink sandstone rocks rising towards the sky and remarkable castle ruins. This 33 km trail was originally divided into two circular loops. Here is the second part, covering 16 km.

This trail takes you to rocks and castles with magnificent, unobstructed views of the valley and Obersteinbach. You can visit the Bohemian Rock or "Tziganes", Wasigenstein Castle, Petit Arnsberg Castle and Wachtfels Rock with its breathtaking view. There is a short stretch of tarmac at the start and end of the hike. This is a fairly easy hike, but I have rated it as moderately difficult due to its length.

This hike in the Northern Vosges will allow you to discover five castles which, although less well known than Fleckenstein, are just as worthy of a visit! Much of the walk takes place on small forest paths, making it very pleasant in hot weather.

A superb hike through the forest, mainly starting from the Étang de Hanau, passing by the Étang de Lieschbach, Falkenstein Castle, Waldeck Castle and the peat bogs.

A circular walk starting from the scenic Hanau lake towards the wild Lieschbach lake, via the Kachler Rocks, and back via the Steinberg.

Magnificent hike on the forest paths around Hanau Pond. Visit the ruins of Falkenstein, Rothenburg and Waldeck Castles, passing by the splendid sandstone arch of Erbsenfelsen.

A forest setting for this family-friendly route. Peat bogs, rocks, viewing points and the ruins of a medieval castle. The Étang de Hanau, often considered the most beautiful lake in the Northern Vosges, is set within an exceptional natural site, designated a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO.

Hike between a semi-troglodytic castle and the highest point in the Northern Vosges.

The first climb is steep and tiring, but once at the top, you can admire the whole of Bitche from the rampart walk at the foot of the Citadel walls.

The "Premiungweg" marked trail is a meeting point between Alsace and the Palatinate. Between the Northern Vosges and the Wasgau: two of the most beautiful natural sites in Europe thanks to their landscapes of endless forests, pink sandstone rocks rising towards the sky and remarkable castle ruins. This 33 km trail was originally divided into two circular sections. Here is thefirst 20 km section.

A short, simple and picturesque Sunday stroll with virtually no elevation gain. Ideal for a post-lunch walk, with children, or with a pushchair.

A pleasant little circular walk from the VVF holiday centre at Étang d'Hasselfurth towards Étang d'Entenbaechel, then looping back via the Widerschall and Hochkopf passes. The paths are very well maintained, easily walkable, with little elevation gain apart from the section between the two passes leading to the summit of the Hochkopf.

A short 2-hour walk in the hills north of Bitche. Small spring, mini waterfall and discovery of a historic tomb from 1870.

A pleasant forest trail that leads without much effort to the highest point in the Northern Vosges, where a tower built at the end of the 19th century offers extensive panoramic views. Less popular, the Celtic camp site is not without charm.

Set in a magnificent natural setting, this walk takes you to discover two remarkable castles in ruins that will appeal to children and adults alike: Vieux Windstein, an ancient structure built into the rock with its staircases and underground chambers, and Nouveau Windstein with its impressive shield walls, residential towers and pointed-arch gates.

The village of Windstein, nestled in a valley in the Northern Vosges, is the ideal starting point for visiting the many ruined castles in the surrounding area. The hike takes in the two castles of Wittschloessel and Wineck. It is possible to add Schoeneck Castle by temporarily deviating from the route.

Northern Alsace is renowned for its castles. This route allows you to explore five of them: Nouveau and Vieux Windstein, Wittschloessel, Wineck and Schoeneck. A detour also allows you to see the ‘Man’s Rock’ and ‘Woman’s Rock’, as well as a magnificent view over Dambach and Neunhoffen. This is a walk that constantly alternates between ascents and descents through the forest, some easier than others. Only the section towards Dambach is flat.

The Rodalben Felsenwanderweg is originally 45.5 km long; this covers a large part of it. A walk featuring impressive rock formations, caves and forest sections, and certified asa “Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland”. Classified as ‘Difficult’ due to its length, rather than ‘Very Difficult’, as most of the paths follow the contour lines; the descents into the valleys are gradual and the ascents are steady and not at all strenuous.

The destination is the Wegelnbug, the highest ruin in the Palatinate, offering breathtaking 360° views. The ascent takes you past Fleckenstein Castle, whilst the descent offers the chance to visit Hohenbourg and Loewenstein Castles. An ideal hike for children. A fun (but chargeable) tour of Fleckenstein, with a playground near the Gimbelhof.

A short, easy circular loop starting from the Fleckenstein Pond and passing by the ruined Froensbourg Castle. Note: access to the troglodytic rooms on the upper levels is no longer possible (staircase not repaired).

This moderately difficult circular hike takes you to five castles built in the 12th and 13th centuries, each with a different history. From the top of some of the castles, you can also enjoy magnificent views of the Northern Vosges and the German Palatinate.

A beautiful, undulating walk through the forests of Baerenthal and the Hanau Pond, ending at the ruins of Ramstein Castle

Ramstein Castle dates back to the 13th century. It stands on a rocky sandstone outcrop. At the summit, there is a panoramic view of Baerenthal and its valley. The two lakes, Ramstein and Baerenthal, are full of charm and make an ideal spot for a refreshing break.

A very beautiful and pleasant walk in warm weather as it is mostly shaded. Discover Ramstein Castle, Baerenthal Pond and the lake where the more motivated can take a dip at the end of the walk!

A lovely walk offering the chance to explore the surroundings of the pretty village of Baerenthal and its two ponds, one for fishing and the other for swimming. The walk takes you through the magnificent mixed woodland of the Northern Vosges Nature Park, following wide forest tracks as well as narrower, more technical paths, though these are not particularly difficult.

A pleasant, easy walk, mainly along wide forest paths, offering the chance to discover the Jaegerthal Forges, the castles of Nouveau and Vieux Windstein, and a few blockhouses.

This is a large circular hike starting from Jaegerthal, the birthplace of the De Dietrich family, with its castle, park and the remains of the first forge near the car park. It is a long but peaceful hike, with a succession of small "bumps" and dotted with numerous fortified castles and remarkable rocks. The first part follows the "Sentier de la Ligne Maginot" (Maginot Line Trail) with a succession of bunkers in a surprisingly good state of preservation.

Ascent of the Grand Wintersberg, the highest point in the Northern Vosges, via a steep path. Return via a different, equally narrow path. Take care in wet weather or when the paths are snow-covered.

Circular hike starting from the Celtic spring with ascent of the Grand Wintersberg, 581 m, the highest point in the Northern Vosges, and return via the Col de la Liese chalet (belonging to the Club Vosgien) and the Heidenkopf shelter.

A very beautiful, challenging hike that takes us from the Source du Lichteneck to the ruins of Wasenbourg Castle and on to the Grand Wintersberg, passing through the hamlet of Breitenwasen. The climb up to Wintersberg is steep and requires good stamina. Walking poles will prove particularly useful here. For the more motivated, this route is perfect for a trail running training session as it combines ascents, descents and technical sections.

A pleasant little hike in the Mouterhouse National Forest and along the banks of the Grand Étang lake in the same locality. After enjoying the calm of the forest with its beautiful straight trees and good quality paths, the end of the hike takes place along the Grand Étang lake, where you can admire the spectacle of numerous fishermen on their pontoons.

A fairly long hike, as some people like, with no significant elevation gain. It is nice in spring because the vegetation still lets the first rays of sunshine through, but it is accessible in all seasons and has a well-placed shelter for a dry lunch.There are no difficulties on the route except for the length!