The Waterfall, Nideck Castle and Hirschfels Rock

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There are numerous routes leading to the waterfall and the ruins of Nideck Castle. Here is a fairly short and easy alternative. Furthermore, it is a circular route, with the return journey passing by Hirschfels Rock.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.95 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 883 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 856 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,827 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,112 ft
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Photos

Nideck Waterfall in winter
Hirschfels Rock
Rock on the way back
Ascent to the summit of the ruins

Description of the walk

Park near the Auberge du Nideck on the D218 between Oberhaslach and Wangenbourg.

(S/E) Take the path leading uphill to the right of the inn. A sign points the way: ‘Vers la cascade’ (Towards the waterfall). This is the GR®53, marked with Red Rectangles, which runs alongside the Nideckbach. This leads directly to the waterfall.

(1) Take the path leading uphill to the right, which zigzags. There are steps at the end of this climb.

(2) Turn left towards the viewpoint.

(3) Continue along the path to the bridge over the Nideckbaechel.

(4) Cross it and climb up to the left towards the ruined castle. This is signposted. Head for the tower first. You can climb higher via a very steep sandstone staircase, which is thankfully secured by a metal handrail.

(5) Turn back to the junction after the viewpoint.

(2) Continue straight on uphill to the Hirschfels Rock, which takes about ten minutes to reach. The path is marked with Red Triangles.

(6) Continue down the path and, at an altitude of around 420 m, turn right onto the track to reach the car park and the inn on the D218 (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,112 ft - Inn on the D218
  2. 1 : mi 0.77 - alt. 1,480 ft - Cascade du Nideck (Nideck Waterfall)
  3. 2 : mi 0.9 - alt. 1,621 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  4. 3 : mi 0.95 - alt. 1,591 ft - Viewpoint
  5. 4 : mi 1 - alt. 1,604 ft - Bridge over the Nideckbaechel
  6. 5 : mi 1.3 - alt. 1,824 ft - Château du Nideck (ruine)
  7. 6 : mi 2.02 - alt. 1,749 ft - Rock - Hirschfels
  8. S/E : mi 2.95 - alt. 1,112 ft - Inn on the D218

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Nideck Waterfall and Castle

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A classic hike in the Bas-Rhin region. There are dozens of marked trails in the area, but I opted for a (very) cool late winter version. It's an easy hike that's accessible for families. Be careful on the steps leading up to the ruins of the Nideck Castles, which offer a magnificent view at an altitude of just under 500 metres. The steps are narrow, but you don't have to climb them to enjoy the view. Children may prefer to stay at the foot of the castle to admire the surroundings. Then there's the waterfall, which is very pretty at the end of winter when the flow is stronger.

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Visorando Member
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⚑Departure from Oberhaslach (Bas-Rhin)
This hike first climbs to the Wilberg Pass along the Grand Weinbaechel. We then cross to the other side of the Hasel valley to climb up to the iconic Nideck waterfall, nestled in its wild and wooded setting, passing the Hirschfels promontory. Next, we discover the unusual elliptical enclosure of Petit Ringelsberg and the ruins of Hohenstein Castle.

Walking Sandweg Oberhaslach trail

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↔2.72 mi ↗+545 ft ↘-545 ft ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Oberhaslach (Bas-Rhin)
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