Geissfels, Table des Géants and Sattelfels from Reinhardsmunster

Apart from the slightly steeper climb from the Gloriette du Geissfelwasen to the Rocher du Geissfels, this short hike is not difficult and is very pleasant, despite the last kilometre before the finish being on the road. The view from the Geissfels is 360° and well worth the detour.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 396 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 395 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 614 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 333 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is located towards the village exit in the direction of Obersteigen, Wangenbourg, at the crossroads of the main street and Rue Bentz.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs westwards and is marked with a red disc. The slope is fairly moderate and the path leads quickly, after crossing a forest road, to the Gloriette du Geissfelswasen.

(1) Just after the gazebo, turn right, following the blue rectangle markings, to follow theGR®531to the Rocher du Geissfels.

(2) Enjoy the view, despite the high-voltage power lines, it's worth the detour. Descend by the same route.

(1) At Geissfelswasen, head south on the carriage road marked with a yellow triangle towards the Table des Géants. After a left turn, the path reaches a fork.

(3) Take the right fork and follow a wide right-hand bend to reach the Table des Géants a few dozen metres to the left of the road.

(4) Return to the yellow triangle path and continue left towards Kurtrain. After barely 150 metres, you will reach another fork.

(5) Leave the Yellow Triangle marked path, which climbs to the right towards Kurtrain, and take the wide path that slopes down to the left. After about 700 metres, this becomes a carriage road called Chemin Forestier du Sattelfels.

(6) Continue along this road and when the Red Triangle marked path joins from the right, continue for another hundred metres or so until you reach a wide bend to the right.

(7) At this wide bend, leave the road and take the path to the left towards Sattelfels.

(8) At Sattelfels, head west on the left, taking the path marked with a red easel towards Reinhardsmunster. The path quickly joins the hairpin bend of a road. Take it downhill to the left until you reach another fork about 500 metres further on.

(9) Leave the road and descend the path, veering to the left. The markings remain the same (Chevalet Rouge) until you reach your destination. After a left-hand bend, the path joins a forest road.

(10) Follow it to the right. This road runs from Reinhardsmunster to the Billebaum crossroads. Depending on whether you are hiking on a weekday or at the weekend, take great care, especially when approaching the village. Return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 346 m - Crossroads of Rue Principale and Rue Bentz
  2. 1 : km 2.47 - alt. 508 m - Gloriette du Geissfelswasen
  3. 2 : km 3.11 - alt. 608 m - Geissfels rock
  4. 3 : km 4.71 - alt. 520 m - Fourche
  5. 4 : km 5.54 - alt. 591 m - Table des Géants
  6. 5 : km 5.76 - alt. 604 m - Veer to the left
  7. 6 : km 6.64 - alt. 604 m - Sattelfels Forest Trail
  8. 7 : km 7.54 - alt. 613 m - Turn left towards the Sattelfels.
  9. 8 : km 7.83 - alt. 597 m - Sattelfels
  10. 9 : km 8.76 - alt. 518 m - Leave the carriage road
  11. 10 : km 9.81 - alt. 378 m - Follow the forest road
  12. S/E : km 11 - alt. 347 m - Crossroads of the main street and Rue Bentz

Notes

The Gloriette du Geissfelswasen is a good shelter in case of rain and the site itself is ideal for a picnic.

Worth a visit

(2) The Geissfels (Goat Rock) recalls the Norse myth of the goat Heidrun, who provided the milk of immortality to the valiant warriors of Valhalla, the paradise of Norse mythology. At the back of the cave located under the rocky platform of the Geissfels is said to be one of the entrances to Valhalla.

(4) The Giants' Table is a natural curiosity created by erosion. It is a flat rock in the shape of a table, resting on two pillars, 3.50 m long and 1.80 m high. You can rest on the smaller bench next to the rock, which is more suited to ordinary people...

(8) The Sattelfels (Saddle Rock) is a standing stone (menhir). It is a mythical place which, according to some, concentrates and radiates telluric energy. Legend has it that women who wanted children would come and sit on its saddle-shaped top. It has served as a boundary marker for centuries. It still bears the coat of arms of Marmoutier Abbey, the "M" with the abbot's crozier, and that of the lords of Linange, the three alerions (eagles). Come and recharge your batteries here.

Information found on the website of the Club Vosgien de Marmoutier (many thanks to its members): Club Vosgien Marmoutier.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
sergent.i67@gmail.com
sergent.i67@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On the negative side, when I downloaded the map in case I lost network coverage, there was indeed no network in certain areas and it didn't work; it just froze so I restarted the app and it was even worse: the map wouldn't open at all. I had to continue blindly until I got a signal. I could have got lost, which is a bit scary for someone hiking alone.

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Bouba67
Bouba67

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A gentle hike on a very hot day (90% in the shade, so it's fine). The first climb up to La Gloriette, then a section before La Table des Géants, are not very pleasant (trails damaged by machinery working in the forest).
According to Strava, starting from the village hall and without climbing Rocher du Geissfels: 10.57km in 2 hours 31 minutes (walking time only).
Well-explained route, thank you!

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ADNET
ADNET

Thank you for your comment. I wish you happy hiking.

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cerisara
cerisara

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, with fairly wide but sometimes stony paths. Two points of interest were very good, otherwise it was just the pleasure of walking.
Walking fairly quickly, we completed it in 3½ hours with a few short breaks.
Thank you for the hike!

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KOEGLER dominique
KOEGLER dominique

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike along a trail of astonishing rocks that emit cosmo-telluric flows.

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Charles 67
Charles 67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike on a sunny autumn day.
Thank you and well done to the author for sharing.

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Maurice67
Maurice67

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk.
To avoid the climb up and down the Geissfels, I went via Billenbaum
and the HABERACKER forest house. This alternative route provides direct access
to the Geissfels.
We used the car park at the village exit, heading towards OBERSTEIGEN.
The return journey is easier.

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Fred le vosgien
Fred le vosgien

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant and not very difficult walk. Suitable for a gradual return to fitness.
Well-explained itinerary

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tevemal
tevemal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting walk with good signage.
I would advise you to park in the church car park (300 m before the indicated starting point).
At the start, the climb is quite steep and quite long, and the total elevation gain is slightly greater than indicated.

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Ramon5791
Ramon5791

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route

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