Le Galtz from Katzenthal

A simple loop along a forest path with the magnificent panorama of the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains from the Galtz monument as your destination.
The climb to the Galtz is a little steep, but in good weather it is a beautiful viewpoint over the Alsace plain and the Black Forest.

Details

2307
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 520 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 516 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 720 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 262 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Katzenthal church.

(S/E) Cross the village to the castle path.

(1) Climb up to the castle, then follow the path towards Galtz (red disc, then blue). Continue to the junction where the signs separate.

(2) Keep left on the Blue Disc marked trail. Reach the Galtz Monument by crossing the woods.

(3) Retrace your steps to return to the car park at Katzenthal church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 262 m - Katzenthal church car park
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 289 m - Intersection. Chemin du Château
  3. 2 : km 2.83 - alt. 603 m - Three-way junction
  4. 3 : km 3.61 - alt. 720 m - Monument - Le Galtz
  5. S/E : km 7.41 - alt. 262 m - Katzenthal church car park

Notes

Magnificent panorama from the Galtz Monument, with orientation table.

Worth a visit

Visit the Alsace wine cellars in Katzenthal.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Indien66
Indien66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A chance to stretch your legs after a five-hour drive!

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laika1963
laika1963

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Circuit done on Sunday, starting from Ammerschwihr with a nice climb to get to Glatz. A wonderful discovery, a magnificent monument and a superb viewpoint.
A hike that I highly recommend.

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JMBPFAFF
JMBPFAFF

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike completed during the week. No one else on the trail. Met a few people at Galtz.
Magnificent view, especially on a clear day.
The climb still requires good physical condition (exciting).

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moliere8
moliere8

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed today. Few people encountered as it was midweek.
First, we crossed the village, then climbed up to the Galz monument.
Beautiful postcard views of the village from the vineyards and then of the Alsace plain once you reach the monument.
There, you realise the strategic importance of this promontory during the First World War.
The undergrowth is magnificent.
We had lunch at the Pfaffenrod rock.
Be careful between points 4 and 5, as the suggested route goes straight down through the woods: do not follow it, but instead follow the military path and take the marked trails to reach the Pfaffenrod rock.
All in all, a very beautiful hike with stunning views, but beware of the climb at the start.

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virgule
virgule

Hello, indeed, the climb is tough, people prefer to go by car

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Cathyvoila
Cathyvoila
• Edited:

Good evening, Virgule,
Yesterday, the weather was beautiful when I went on this hike. The only place where there were people was at Galtz, which can be reached by several paths. But as for the hike itself, I only met a few people. The fact that there is a steep and constant climb may discourage some people 🤷🏼‍♀️

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virgule
virgule

Hello,

on a sunny Sunday, it's not very busy, is it?

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Cathyvoila
Cathyvoila

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Description consistent with the hike. A very beautiful hike with a fairly steady climb up to Galtz, which makes for a welcome descent on the way back. Beautiful views. Probably pleasant in summer when it is hot, thanks to the climb through the forest which provides shade from the sun. The walk offers an alternative route on the way back if you want to extend it by half an hour by taking the blue circle towards Katzenthal via Sommerberg, which offers more beautiful views of the vineyards and villages.

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DP.VisoRando
DP.VisoRando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Quite a steep climb to the Galtz monument. Very beautiful panorama.

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virgule
virgule

Hello,

i went to Galtz today, but from Ammerschwihr. It's quite a climb.

Please note that the red "circle" does not exist. It is either a disc or a ring. Both exist in this sector.

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denis Schwander
denis Schwander

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful walk with a superb view from the top of Galtz..
The hike starts with a steep climb and lots of fallen fir trees following the storms in January.

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Philippe SENJEAN
Philippe SENJEAN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful and varied hike. Vineyards, oak forests, small Alsatian villages and a magnificent 360° panorama when you reach the Galtz monument.

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bodenes
bodenes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I did the hike again, and the markings are much simpler than before. You will see this in the description I have updated. Without pushing myself, it took me 2 hours and 5 minutes in the sun, but most of the walk is in the woods. Only the beginning in the vineyards is a bit steep in the sun.

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NGQ
NGQ
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely little walk, very pleasant to do as a trail run or hike.

Just a few minutes from Colmar.

A good elevation gain/distance ratio, but nothing insurmountable.

Pleasant passages through the woods.

The route is a little technical in places when running (on the descent from Gatz on the way back).

At first glance, there are many possibilities for detours and diversions.

Perfect.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

@bodenes

but I'm going back to Colmar this summer. I promise that as soon as I get the chance, I'll update the description.

Thanks in advance

See you soon

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