Illhaeusern walks

The Illwald is France’s largest voluntary nature reserve. Covering 2,000 hectares, this area consists mainly of vast meadows, forests and rivers. Water shapes these environments, whilst the flora and fauna enhance them. The forest is home to some 110 plant species and 210 types of fungi. However, the Illwald owes its fame in particular to the fallow deer, introduced in 1854. The population currently numbers over 300 individuals. Take a short detour to visit the medieval village of Guémar. A section appears to be off-limits to cyclists; please check the signs

Enjoy a magnificent walk along the ramparts of Bergheim, dotted with numerous medieval towers.

This is a lovely walk in the plains of the river Ill, which will let you to escape for two hours from the bustle of this area popular with tourists. In summer you'll be nice and cool, thanks to the many streams and towering trees.

Take time to discover Orschwiller on this short 1-hour tour. Soak up the village's remarkable built heritage and the works of contemporary art scattered around the village.

A pleasant, easy walk suitable for the whole family. Along this route, there is an orientation table identifying the key features of the panorama (view of the Alsace plain). After the orientation table, the route follows the old vineyard path, lined with ancient dry stone walls, through an old forest with views of Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.

This is a short hike through vineyards and woods at the foot of the majestic Haut Koenigsbourg castle. There are several points of interest along the route: the Rocher du Sanglier (Boar Rock), the Fontaine du Chevreuil (Deer Fountain), the 1791 boundary stone and the old medieval vineyard. There is a beautiful view from the orientation table. It is not classified as "easy" because the descent through the old vineyard is quite steep.

A beautiful circular hike from the wine route to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. Climb up through the beautiful valley of the mills. Loop around Haut-Koenigsbourg and return via Langenberg. Beautiful views of the Alsace plain and the Black Forest, with an orientation table. The castle courtyard is free to visit. Don't hesitate to make a detour from (6) or (7).

A lovely little walk at the foot of Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, passing by the Rocher du Sanglier and the Roche des Fées, then descending through the pretty Vallon des Moulins.

This hike will allow you to meet pilgrims on their way to Compostela and to walk through the woods following theGR®5. There are no orientation difficulties, as all the paths are marked. A variant will allow you to climb up to the Château du Haut Koenigsbourg.

A circular hike starting from Ribeauvillé, winding through vineyards and then forest (two-thirds of the route).Discover the listed Schlusselstein rock, then descend towards Langrain to follow the Bergenbach stream to the Witzigfelsen rock and Reichenberg Castle. The return journey takes you through the vineyards on the Way of St James. Hike accessible via Ribeauville-Gare-Routiè station.

Route allowing you to visit the three castles of Ribeauvillé (Giersberg Castle, Saint-Ulrich Castle and Ribeaupierre Castle) with superb views over the Alsace plain. Then climb and cross the Taennchel Massif with its rocks, its pagan wall and its views of Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.

Hiking trail from Sélestat station, easily accessible from many towns in Alsace, to Ribeauvillé, from where you can return to Sélestat station by bus. The route offers magnificent views of the Vosges mountains from the outskirts of Sélestat, with Kintzheim Castle and Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle on your left, the village of Châtenois opposite you, and Ramstein and Ortenbourg castles above Scherwiller on your right. You will pass through part of Châtenois before tackling the climb to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, a major tourist attraction in Alsace. You will finally end your journey in the middle of the vineyards, between Bergheim, a charming fortified village in the foothills of the Vosges, and Ribeauvillé, your destination.

Stage thirteen, from Ribeauvillé to Le Bonhomme, is very long and involves a significant climb. It marks the hiker’s entry into the Hautes-Vosges and its first major peaks: Hirzberg and Brézouard, via the Lapoutroie valley. With a mountain atmosphere and superb views in store.

A fairly demanding hike, as there is a long climb right from the start, but one that offers numerous incredible views.You start by climbing up to the three castles via paths through the vineyards, then ascend the Taennechel via its fairly steep south-eastern peak, known as the Rocher de la Paix d’Udine, which also offers a rather striking view over the Alsace plain. Next, we explore the numerous sandstone outcrops dotting the ridge before descending back to Ribeauvillé.

A lovely day trip through woods, mountains, vineyards and Alsatian villages, with visits to Hunawihr and Riquewihr. Magnificent landscapes and superb villages.

An easy walk through the Alsace vineyards, with pretty landscapes of vine-covered hills and villages such as Bergheim.

Climb up the Three Castles Trail, superb view of the region, visit the ruins of two castles (the third is closed to the public), then walk through the forest to reach the N.D. de Dusenbach monastery, descend via the original Way of the Cross.

This is a pleasant hike that will take you through vineyards and woods to the amazing Rocher du Schlüsselstein, then to the foot of the Taennchel and finally to two of the three castles of Ribeauvillé. There are a few climbs, but overall it is an easy route.

This short hike will take you to the amazing Schluesselstein Rock, then to the foot of the Taennchel and finally to the Dusenbach Monastery. Return via the famous Maria Raydt trail.

It’s a lovely walk that allows you to see the three castles of Ribeauvillé from a slightly different angle to the traditional route. The GPS track takes the shortest route. To see the three castles, follow the route description. Avoid at all costs during the Christmas market or on Pfifferday. Ribeauvillé has recently become extremely touristy.

Discover the three castles of Ribeauvillé by climbing via Fontaine du Chevreuil. The descent follows theGR®5.

This easy walk through the vineyards also allows you to discover pretty villages on the Alsace Wine Route and the fortified church of Hunawihr. Suitable in all seasons. In early spring, you can enjoy the almond trees in bloom. In autumn, you can enjoy the beautiful colours of the season.

Family walk around the village of Mittelwihr: vineyards, Sigolsheim national necropolis, views of the Alsace plain and the foothills of the Vosges, ending with the surprising hill of almond trees that has earned Mittelwihr its nickname of "Midi de l'Alsace" (Southern Alsace).

A circular hike starting from Châtenois, which takes us to the summit of Hahnenberg, where we can enjoy a beautiful view of the central Alsace plain. The route continues around the Montagne des Singes animal park, then returns through the vineyards above Kintzheim.

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).

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.

Located in the heart of Alsace, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle dominates the entire plain at an altitude of 755 metres. It is impossible to miss this iconic monument, one of the most visited in the region! This landmark is also the starting and finishing point for many hikes. If you prefer short routes, this one is for you. Starting from the Col du Schaentzel, it will take you past several points of interest and allow you to reach the castle in just 1 hour.

In the Ried region of Alsace, the landscape is made up of numerous wet meadows. Throughout your walk, you will find information boards explaining the history of the Ried. Trail not accessible in case of flooding.