Grotte de la Vierge (Villé) walks

This route is the first part of thefourth stage of a seven-day tour of the Alsatian side of the Vosges mountains. Most of the route is on forest roads in good condition. The signage is excellent, consisting of signs with an orange or red mountain bike logo and the letters TMV (Traversée du Massif Vosgien).

Vine growing is an integral part of the Alsatian landscape. There is also a route named after it. This route is the fifth stage of the vineyard walk and connects Dambach-la-Ville to Obernai. There are numerous vantage points, indeed they are almost everywhere outside the villages. The villages themselves are very typical, with pretty half-timbered houses and undeniable charm. The region’s heritage is equally well represented.

With this superb twelfth stage of the Vosges crossing proposed by Passion Vosges magazine, published by Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace and L’Alsace, the hiker visits a series of castles, starting with the iconic Haut-Koenigsbourg. After a lovely detour into the valley of the mountain village of Thannenkirch, a final climb leads to the steep and spectacular site of the three castles overlooking the charming wine-growing town of Ribeauvillé, the end point of this 20-kilometre route.

This route forms the first part of the fifth stage of a 7-day tour on the Alsatian side of the Vosges. The route follows mainly forest tracks in good condition. The signposting, which is excellent, consists of signs bearing an orange or red mountain bike logo accompanied by the letters TMV (Traversée du Massif Vosgien).

The eleventh stage of the journey through the Vosges proposed by Passion Vosges magazine, published by Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace and L’Alsace, is also one of the longest of the trip. Starting from the vineyards, it will take you through the foothill forests via the Ungersberg Pass before reaching the small town of Châtenois and its ramparts. A report on this eleventh stage by Olivier Terrenère can be found in Passion Vosges.

I suggest an online hike. The starting point is Barr station, which is easily accessible by train from Strasbourg. The finish is at Obernai station, from where you can easily catch a train back to Strasbourg; there are services every hour on weekdays. The route will take you through the villages of Barr, Saint-Nabor, Bernardswiller and the town of Obernai, first through the vineyards and then into the forest on the slopes of Mont Sainte-Odile. You’ll be able to admire the ruins of the imposing Château du Landsberg (12th century). You can visit Hohenbourg Abbey, founded in 680 by Saint Odile, patron saint of Alsace, and admire the ruins of Niedermünster Abbey below. Enjoy exploring!

This first stage starts in Kintzheim, passes by Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, then crosses the pretty village of Thanenkirch before heading up alongside the ‘pagan wall’ with its beautiful rock formations to the Schelmenkopf mountain hut. It is not particularly difficult and is a good way to warm up for the rest of the journey.

This route takes you across the Vosges in the Haut-Rhin, with moderate daily stages ranging from 15 to 20 km and an elevation gain generally between 800 and 900 m. These stages take between 6 and 7 hours, always ending near a mountain refuge, which must be booked in advance. The route follows paths marked by the Club Vosgien and passes through a wide variety of landscapes.

A leisurely second stage, apart perhaps from the total distance. It takes place mainly in the shade on mostly flat paths. You’ll pass beneath the Petit Brézouard and give the Grand Brézouard a wide berth – as it is a wildlife sanctuary – before heading directly to Le Haïcot and then on to the Col des Bagenelles.

This first stage is probably the hardest day of the route. Beautiful views, pleasant trails and few forest roads. A steep climb at the end of the day explains the "Difficult" rating.