Heiligenstein walks

This circuit, which alternates between fields and forests on the hillsides, offers breathtaking views of the Alsace plain and, more specifically, the Obernai region. You will also discover the ruins of Truttenhausen Abbey and the Barr geological trail. Enjoy your walk!

A circular walk from Barr to the imposing Landsberg Castle. The first section takes you through the vineyards towards Bannholz, then through the forest via the Truttenhausen Estate. Return via the Sentier des Chameaux. You’ll then return to Barr and its beautiful half-timbered houses.

A pleasant route through vineyards and forests with beautiful scenery. Option to take a detour to Andlau Castle. Suitable for hot weather.

A beautiful 14 km round trip hike via Landsberg Castle to Mont Sainte-Odile. Superb views of the Barr region, the Alsace plain and, in good weather, the Black Forest in Germany.

A lovely route through the foothills of the Vosges, passing through small Alsatian villages (Barr, Heiligenstein, Saint-Nabor) and returning via abbeys and castles in the forest.

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.

The Camel Trail is part of a lovely circular walk that starts at the Auberge du Moenkalb. Set off to discover boundary stones dating from 1778, which were used to mark out forest plots.The initials ABGW stand for Amts Barr Gemeine Waldungen.Take a look at the trees in this diverse forest (fir, hornbeam, elm, chestnut, maple, etc.).Allow 20 to 30 minutes to visit Landsberg Castle.

Stop off on the Alsace Wine Route, at the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile, and discover Bernardswiller and its surroundings on this easy walk.

A circular route starting from Barr station, accessible by train from Strasbourg or Sélestat, or even further afield with connections. A route that begins in town, climbs through the vineyards, then into the mountains where two magnificent castles await you!

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!

An easy hike that will take you to the two castles of Andlau: Andlau and Spesbourg.

A pleasant and easy hike to discover the ruins of Niedermunster Abbey, the Lucie Fountain, Mont Sainte-Odile and the southern passage of the Mur Païen.

This is a circular hike, with Mont Sainte Odile as its highlight, an iconic place of pilgrimage dedicated to the patron saint of Alsace. There are beautiful views of the Alsace plain from the site, with orientation tables. In good weather, you may be lucky enough to see Strasbourg Cathedral. The route also takes you along the mysterious Mur Païen (Pagan Wall). On the way back, you will see the ruins of Hagelschlos and Ottrott castles (which are not open to visitors). Please note: dogs are not allowed inside the monastery grounds.

A walk passing by many historical points, following the astonishing pagan wall around Mont Sainte-Odile.

A beautiful circular route passing three iconic castles in the Andlau region: the elegant Landsberg Castle, Spesbourg Castle with its 24-metre-high keep, and Andlau Castle with its two towers. The latter two offer superb views over Andlau and the Rhine plain. This shaded route also features some beautiful rock formations: the Rocher Herrade, the Rocher du Jugement, the Rocher du Hungerplatz and the Rocher Sainte-Richarde. You can also visit the summit of the Crax and its blueberries.

Loop hike starting from Barr. Follow the Kirneck river, then the former Barr railway line to Birkenfels Castle. Beautiful view from the Jadelot kiosk. On the way back, you will discover Landsberg Castle.

Mont Sainte-Odile, a mecca of Alsatian culture, is surrounded by numerous historical sites and beautiful hiking trails. This circular route, starting from Hohenbourg Abbey at the top of Mont Sainte-Odile, follows the trails in the south-eastern part of the site and the trail that runs along the southern pagan wall, passing most of the points of interest in the area, all through the undergrowth.

Discover the medieval ruins of the fortified castles to the west of Mont Sainte-Odile and the northern pagan wall via magnificent trails such as the Merveilles and Chemin de Croix, with its ceramics by Léon Eldinger adorning the rock face. A fascinating heritage that volunteers are keen to restore.

A beautiful, undulating hike through the woods in the form of a double circular route that explores the southern part of Mont Sainte Odile and part of its defensive system.

The Mur Païen, 10.5 km long, is the remains of an ancient wall located around the perimeter of Mont Sainte-Odile. At an altitude of 764 m, the summit overlooks the Alsace plain. The Abbey of Hohenbourg, founded by Saint Odile, stands there.

A descent followed by an ascent linking two iconic sites: the Mont Sainte-Odile sanctuary and Niedermunster Abbey, a beautiful site with stunning views and a lovely chapel. A journey into the history of Saint Odile. Saint Odile founded the convent at the very top of the mountain; less well known is the fact that she also founded a second convent, further down the slope, which included a hospice to accommodate pilgrims unable to climb the steep path.

A lovely walk to discover Birkenfels Castle with beautiful views, easy to do with children.

Sculptures on tree stumps, a mystical place surrounded by a curious pagan wall, impressive granite cliffs. A short walk that will enchant you in any season, but is even more wonderful when there is snow.

This hike takes you to the ruins of Ottrott Castle, the remains of the former Royal Arms Factory in Klingenthal, the fortified village of Boersch, the former site of Saint-Léonard Priory, the Leonardsau estate and residence, El Biar, and Windeck Castle and park. See moderator update at the beginning of the description.

This very short route takes you along a small section of the Mur Païen, then past the Grotte des Druides and the site of the Air Inter Airbus 320 crash on 20 January 1992. This easy walk is an excellent way for anyone wishing to learn how to use mobile GPS tracking.

This classic stop in Alsace is more of a stroll than a real hike. The magnificent convent, flanked by beautiful little chapels, built entirely of pink Vosges sandstone, offers stunning views of the Alsace plain in all directions.

This hike will take you along the ridge leading from Mont Sainte-Odile to the Elsberg kiosk, which offers a stunning view and shelter for a break. You’ll also discover impressive cliffs (often visited by climbers) and a bestiary carved into tree stumps on the Sentier des Merveilles, which runs beneath the ridge and, in places, alongside impressive cliffs.

The 10.5 km long "Mur Païen" (Pagan Wall) is the remains of an ancient wall located on Mont Sainte-Odile, a mountain in the Vosges, in the Bas-Rhin department, rising to an altitude of 764 metres and topped by a convent founded by Saint Odile, the Abbey of Hohenbourg, which overlooks the Alsace plain.

This hike from Ottrott takes you to Mont Sainte-Odile, an iconic site in Alsace, rich in history and offering exceptional panoramic views. The route passes through dense forests, remarkable rock formations and places steeped in legend, as well as points of interest such as the Rocher Oberkirch and the Grotte d'Étichon. This circular loop, combining well-marked trails and forest paths, promises a complete immersion in the Alsatian countryside.

A short, easy hike that alternates between pleasant little vineyard roads and good forest paths. The Château du Haut-Andlau, built in the 13th century and still in good condition, is the highlight of this figure-of-eight route. There are also some beautiful views to enjoy.

A beautiful circular walk from Andlau, accessible to all. The circuit passes through vineyards at the start, then takes you to the Haut-Andlau and Spesbourg castles. There are beautiful views along the route (Kastelberg - Rocher Sainte Richarde - Spesbourg). There is a fun section via the "Chemin des Espiègles" (Path of the Mischievous Ones), with little wooden gnomes placed on the trees.

The Grand 8 of the Andlau Valley is not a fairground attraction but a very long hike, even a challenge, but certainly not a competition. A hike for seasoned walkers or for walkers who are not afraid of suffering, or both. In one day for the more adventurous or in two days for the more reasonable. The hike is not technically difficult but is very long and requires good stamina.

The Ungersberg offers a panoramic view of the Alsace plain. Ideal in autumn when the vineyards are ablaze with colour.

This is a short, easy hike along cycle paths, roads, field tracks and forest paths. Views of the Vosges mountains and Mont Sainte-Odile. Please note that the path is quite muddy in the Plon forest.

A beautiful hike through vineyards, orchards, villages and forests in the hills around Obernai and Ottrott with beautiful views.

This loop starts in Ottrott-le-Haut and passes by the castles of Ottrott, the Elsberg shelter and the Hohenburgerberg, returning to Ottrott via the Compostela pilgrims' trail.

Ascent via the spectacular Rathsamhausen and Lutzelbourg castles, then via the Koepfel and Hagelschloss castles. Descent via the Sentier des Merveilles trail dominated by giant rocks, then partly via the Sentier des Pèlerins trail and the Lucie Fountain.

A circular walk to the Bischenberg Convent, returning via the vineyards to the Mont National memorial overlooking the town of Obernai. Numerous views over the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and the villages at the foot of the hills.

A short, easy walk through the vineyards of Ottrott.