Haspelschiedt walks

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

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.

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.

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.

The castles of Hanau - The Erbsenfels arch.

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.

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.

Hike in the forest of Niederbronn-les-Bains to discover Wasenbourg Castle and then the Col de l'Ungerthal.

A magnificent hike to discover the rock formations of the Palatinate Forest. You will walk through breathtaking scenery and discover Neudahn Castle, destroyed during the Peasants' War in the 16th century, one of the best-preserved castles in the Palatinate Forest

A pleasant hike of moderate difficulty, culminating in the magnificent Lichtenberg Castle. You will walk mainly on paths and through a deciduous forest, enjoying the early spring sunshine but staying in the shade in summer.

A walk made for children. The walk starts and ends at a superb medieval playground, with a splendid view of the Krappenfels. There are two partially renovated castle ruins and the fully renovated Fleckenstein Castle (entrance fee).

A pleasant hike to stretch your legs. Ideal in early May when nature is waking up. Passes by an impressive rocky outcrop (beautiful view) and caves. Most of the walk is in the shade and the hike follows a river on the last part of the route. Also pleasant in the height of summer. (updated May 2020)

A walk in the Northern Vosges forest around Zittersheim near Petite-Pierre in search of 12 springs. These are small springs or trickles of water. The best known is the Source de la Moder. I couldn't find springs 5 and 8. Either they aren't marked, they've dried up, or I got distracted. Feel free to add waypoints if you find them, if possible.

Short walk from the Col du Pfaffenschlick via Drachenbronn and the Col de Stiefelsberg.

A lovely, easy hike with many paths wide enough for groups and a restaurant halfway along the route!

In the Neuwiller-lès-Saverne - Weiterswiller - La Petite Pierre triangle, discover a Buddhist temple, the Grotte d'Amour (Cave of Love), Hunebourg Castle and the ruins of Herrenstein Castle.

This circuit allows you to discover the ruins of Herrenstein Castle, the Hoelzernerbrunnen spring, Hunebourg Castle and the Roches trail before gently descending to the Zinsel valley and encountering the Highlands Catlles

The cave dwellings of Grauftal and the castle of La Petite Pierre.