Illingen walks

Just how big is your ecological footprint, actually? And what can you personally do to conserve resources and protect the environment? The new adventure trail ‘Around Your Footprint’ provides answers to these questions. Right at the start of the walk, hikers can calculate their own ecological footprint at www.fussabdruck.de. The result shows whether our lifestyle consumes more resources than the Earth can provide in the long term. On a varied walk through the charming landscape of the Ill Valley, ten interactive stations offer plenty of fascinating information, practical everyday tips and creative hands-on activities. Using a QR code, you can access entertaining audio clips featuring ‘Biber Berti’, the trail’s mascot. Using concrete examples, he offers advice on waste prevention, shopping, choosing your mode of transport and energy consumption.

A Franco-German trail that will take you on a journey of discovery through the remains of the Second World War, back to ancient times as you cross a Celtic oppidum, and to a battlefield from the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.

A tarmac path leads to the former Simon Quarry, whose sand was used to fill in tunnels at the bottom of the coal mine. At the bottom of the quarry, a lake has formed; the water level is gradually rising, allowing the natural environment to reclaim the area.

An easy hike through the forests of Alsting, Saarbrücken and Spicheren. The route passes through historic sites where major battles of the 1870 war took place. It also passes military cemeteries from the 1939–1945 and 1870 wars.

Starting from Etzling, this very picturesque walk crosses meadows and woodland before finally taking a path – known as the ‘Ancienne Voie Romaine’ – lined with hedgerows. According to some historians, this is in fact a road built under Louis XIV at the time of the conquest of the territory stretching as far as the Rhine.

Along the ‘Cerda & Celtoi’ sculpture trail – Art and the Celts – between the Celtic ring wall and the European Academy in Otzenhausen, 18 sculptures welcome visitors. What makes it special is that these were created between 2005 and 2007 by artists from the Celtic settlement area stretching from Ireland through Spain to Turkey. In the former tribal territory of the Treveri, who built Europe’s largest Celtic fortification on the Dollberg, you can take a journey into the past. Wandering through the woods and past impressive rock formations, walkers can discover the magnificent low-mountain landscape.

A short circular walk around the Losheim reservoir with short detours via the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig. The circuit without the detour can also be done with a pushchair, as it follows only tarmac paths. Along the way, there are regularly marked-out hopscotch games for children, so no one needs to get bored during the walk.

Rock formations, lovely viewpoints, romantic valleys, the ruins of a medieval castle, a Celtic sanctuary, two Kneipp facilities, a barefoot trail, forest paths and numerous orchards: there’s never a dull moment on this German ‘Traumschleife’ (Dream Trail). Explanations in French along the route make it easier to appreciate the surroundings

Very well-signposted paths in the Warndt Forest (Saarland), a few kilometres from Creutzwald. You’ll follow the Hugenaux Trail, which crosses this German section. The paths are made of schist with patches of sand, then there is a forest road and some stonier paths (small gravel). You will also use a section of the Nordicpark. The paths are always at right angles to one another, so it is difficult to get lost.

A lovely path through woods, fields, ponds and valleys, said to have been used by the monk Firminy, who would meditate whilst walking. As you walk, imagine the landscape in which this medieval monk might have walked.

A beautiful walk to discover the Woelfling wind farm.

A magnificent hike in the La Houve forest, accessible to the whole family. Passing through Merten, La Ferme aux Cloches, the Miners' Trail, the Oak of the Cats, the fountain, the statue of Saint Christopher, Falck, the water tower and arrival at the car park.

A hike that will take you to one of the most beautiful places in the Saarland: the Saar Loop.

A lovely walk through the Forest of Cappel, enjoyable all year round with the chance to spot local wildlife.

From the American military cemetery to the Edelweiss Rock: a blend of history and industrial tourism.

A walk starting from Varsberg, following most of the route of the “La Boutonnière du Warndt” walk. Passes by the statue of the Virgin Mary.

A short walk through the woods of Varsberg. The route can be shortened if necessary.

A route in Saint-Avold suitable for a short semi-urban walk or a light jog.

This hike, suitable for families and all seasons, will allow you to enjoy the colours of autumn, the silence of winter, the spring flora and the shade of summer.

A chance to unwind whilst exploring the local heritage. Why not take a stroll through a lovely green setting, with panoramic views and poignant reminders of the last war? An easy route awaits you for a round trip through the countryside, passing pastures, meadows, crops and orchards, and skirting the edge of a wood where you can discover a very distinctive area of military architecture: the Aquatic Maginot Line.

Circular route on varied terrain (forest, country lanes, canal bank) offering the chance to discover: - a forest ranger’s house built of pink sandstone, with its arboretum and observation point, - bunkers dating from the Second World War with views across the whole of the Albe valley, - a 10th-century chapel and a military cemetery, - a bridge over the coal-mining canal, built before 1867. The return leg of the circular route follows the canal.

A pleasant circular walk through the village, taking in a forest track, passing close to fields and gardens, and offering a lovely panoramic view of the village’s surroundings. Along the route, you can make use of the benches provided, admire the Protestant church, the Catholic church and the village town hall, then enjoy the view of the stream with its ducks, swans and other animals. This walk is accessible via Oermingen station.

A short, easy walk surrounded by nature. Ideal for visitors to our region and for anyone who simply fancies a stroll. Pets are welcome; you can let them run free on the grassy areas in the open fields. The walk is accessible via Oermingen railway station.

A lovely walk in warm weather, exploring beautiful little waterfalls and chapels along lovely leafy paths.

A lovely forest path for the whole family. Lovely surprises will delight young and old alike. Start in the village or at the football ground, then follow the signs and markers along the way.

A route that invites you to explore the Chemin du Mur via the village paths, with a short detour through the hills above Enchenberg, part of the way through woodland and part across fields. The Chemin du Mur is situated towards the end of the route after the point (4); you can’t miss the remains of the wall. Suitable for the whole family, with a few surprises in store during the first climb – keep an eye out, children.

The walk starts on Rue des Chalets with a gentle climb where children can discover insect hotels, bird boxes and strange animals such as tigers, monkeys, herons and other forest dwellers. Up on the hillside, if you’re lucky, you might spot some wild animals at the edge of the forest. Then, you’ll head back into the cool shade of the trees in the undergrowth. We finish with one last gentle climb offering a lovely view of a huge rock.

A pleasant circular route around the village of Bambiderstroff, through woods, meadows and farmland, passing close to various Maginot Line fortifications, including the small Bambesch fort.Passing over ridges, this route also offers some stunning panoramic views.

A short 2-hour walk in the hills north of Bitche. Small spring, mini waterfall and discovery of a historic tomb from 1870.

A circular walk starting from Reyersviller with well-marked paths but also a few unmarked sections. During this walk, you’ll pass through woodland rich in some remarkable trees. You’ll cross the summit of the hill with unobstructed views. You’ll walk alongside the remains of the old Lambach wall and the ponds to the north of Enchenberg.

A walk along beautiful paths that take you on a circular route around several ponds.

The first climb is steep and tiring, but once at the top, you can admire the whole of Bitche from the rampart walk at the foot of the Citadel walls.

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.

A pleasant little circular walk from the VVF holiday centre at Étang d'Hasselfurth towards Étang d'Entenbaechel, then looping back via the Widerschall and Hochkopf passes. The paths are very well maintained, easily walkable, with little elevation gain apart from the section between the two passes leading to the summit of the Hochkopf.

A short, simple and picturesque Sunday stroll with virtually no elevation gain. Ideal for a post-lunch walk, with children, or with a pushchair.

A beautiful, undulating circular hike through the woods, winding between old wash houses, steles, ponds and rocks pierced by caves.

Magnificent hike on the forest paths around Hanau Pond. Visit the ruins of Falkenstein, Rothenburg and Waldeck Castles, passing by the splendid sandstone arch of Erbsenfelsen.

A forest setting for this family-friendly route. Peat bogs, rocks, viewing points and the ruins of a medieval castle. The Étang de Hanau, often considered the most beautiful lake in the Northern Vosges, is set within an exceptional natural site, designated a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO.

A superb hike through the forest, mainly starting from the Étang de Hanau, passing by the Étang de Lieschbach, Falkenstein Castle, Waldeck Castle and the peat bogs.

A circular walk starting from the scenic Hanau lake towards the wild Lieschbach lake, via the Kachler Rocks, and back via the Steinberg.