The Zeller canteen at the start of the Wattwiller trail

The existence of the Cantine is directly linked to the Great War of 1914–18. German and French troops fought for control of the summit of the Hartmannswillerkopf, known locally by the abbreviation HWK, which offered a breathtaking view of the Rhine plain. The German sector 2 headquarters was established in casemates.

Details

1823305
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 308 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 306 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 671 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 384 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is a small car park by the pumping station at the junction of Chemin Duerrenberg, where you can park.

(S/E) Take this path through the woods heading north-east. Cross the Silberlochrunz river. At the next junction, you’ll find an information board about Wattwiller’s water.

(1) Take the path on your right. Shortly afterwards, you’ll come to another crossroads.

(2) Follow the path on the left, in the direction indicated on the sign: "Cantine - Vieil Armand". Then follow the blue markers. You will reach another junction from where you can see the Cantine Zeller on your left

(3) Follow the path to the right. At the road, turn left to reach the Cantine Zeller.
Enjoy the surrounding views.

(4) Head back along the same path to the junction you passed earlier.

(3) Turn right and head first west, then south, then west again to reach the start of the Lippische Schweiz trail, marked by information boards.

(5) Take the path on the left. Head to the left bank of the Silberlochrunz river. Follow the river to return to the original crossroads.

(1) Turn right and follow the route you took on the way there to return to the car park (S/E) at the start.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 384 m - Car park at the Chemin Duerrenberg junction
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 418 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.05 - alt. 430 m - Crossroads of tracks and paths
  4. 3 : km 2.74 - alt. 634 m - Crossroads towards Cantine Zeller
  5. 4 : km 3.04 - alt. 666 m - Cantine Zeller
  6. 5 : km 4.32 - alt. 595 m - Suisse Lipique
  7. S/E : km 6.52 - alt. 384 m - Car park at the Chemin Duerrenberg junction

Notes

The Friends of the Zeller Canteen association welcomes walkers in the Hartmannswillerkopf massif on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 9am and 6pm in a welcoming, history-steeped setting overlooking the Alsace plain. Please note: no accommodation available, drinks service only.

One of the bunkers attached to the building houses a small museum displaying artefacts from the First World War; please feel free to ask to visit (free entry).

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Crozyves
Crozyves

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Starting from Wattwiller, this is a route we often do with the Club Vosgien de Cernay. I also do it regularly because two colleagues and I are responsible for maintaining the markings and ensuring that the signs are clean and in good condition. Otherwise, it's a pleasant little hike. Best regards. Yves Crozelon

Machine-translated

Cricri1964!
Cricri1964!

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were unsure about returning, as the path seemed deserted, with tall grass, etc. There were no signposts, but thanks to GPS, we decided to continue and discovered a little further on that we were on the right track.

Machine-translated

binet68
binet68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant hike – I’ll definitely be going back, as the area is steeped in history and the café really makes you want to come back. Thanks for sharing this route.

Machine-translated

Bruno68270
Bruno68270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with some lovely views – a lovely stroll with the dogs
I highly recommend this walk

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.