The Dwarves' Cave

A beautiful hike to discover Ferrette, a beautiful medieval town with its castle and the Grotte des Nains (Dwarves' Cave) with its famous legend known to everyone in Alsace.

Details

314700
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 372 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 369 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 672 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 490 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Departure from the car park opposite Saint-Bernard Church in Ferrette.
Go up Rue du Château and after 100 metres take the path via the steps on the left (blue circle) which leads to the Virgin's cave and the foot of the castle. Turn right to arrive at the lower entrance with its beautiful porch.
You are now at the lower part of the castle. Continue on to discover the upper part and the tower with its beautiful view of the town.

(1) Exit through an underground passage at the rear of the castle, then take the path towards Heidenfluh (blue circle).
Cross the small road at the bottom of the castle and continue along the impressive Loechlefelsen rocks.

(2) Head east towards Heidenfluh, where you will find benches and tables with a superb view.

(3) Continue towards the Grotte des Nains cliff, still following the blue circle, until you reach Erdwiebelenfelsen.

(4) Take the path on the left that descends to the foot of the cliff and the Three Countries Trail (yellow rectangle). Pass at the foot of the impressive cliff of the Gorges des Loups and then see the entrance to the Grotte des Nains.

(5) Continue on the path marked with a blue disc towards Ferrette. At the intersection at the car park, cross the path (red diamond) from Winkel and, after the Don Bosco centre, you will reach the D432.

(6) Cross it and continue straight ahead until you reach the first reservoir. Turn left (blue circle, yellow rectangle) and then quickly right onto the path towards Rossberg (yellow triangle).

(7) Take the path towards Ferrette (blue circle) which leads to Rue Léon Lehmann. Follow it down to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 493 m - Parking near the church in Ferrette
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 581 m - The castle
  3. 2 : km 1.5 - alt. 525 m - Loechlenfelsen
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 635 m - Heidenfluh
  5. 4 : km 2.78 - alt. 601 m - Erdwiebenfelsen
  6. 5 : km 3.1 - alt. 572 m - The Dwarves' Cave
  7. 6 : km 5.41 - alt. 563 m - Crossing the D432
  8. 7 : km 7.37 - alt. 672 m - Rossberg viewpoint
  9. S/E : km 8.65 - alt. 493 m - Parking near the church in Ferrette

Notes

Wear good walking shoes and bring walking sticks.
There is no shelter on this route, but there are benches and tables at Heidenfluh.

Worth a visit

Add to the walking time:

50 minutes at the castle
30 minutes at the Grotte des Nains (Dwarves' Cave) – don't forget to bring a torch.
20 minutes at the Rossberg viewpoint.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
BALANDIER88
BALANDIER88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with autumn colours and sunshine
Beautiful landscapes from the castle overlooking the Vosges mountain range

Machine-translated

Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A moment of inattention on the climb confused us a little, but we quickly got back on track. Given the heat, we also retraced our steps towards Ferrette/Eglise. Walking sticks, good shoes and a little care on the stony paths are recommended.

Machine-translated

Charry
Charry

Hello Thanks for your feedback, it's a lovely walk to do when it's hot in summer. @ + Charry

Machine-translated

User 16972808

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful walk under the trees, enjoying the cool air in front of the entrance to the dwarf cave

Machine-translated

Charry
Charry
• Edited:

Hello Michel,
This is a walk that children really enjoy, and the views are magnificent.
see you soon
Charry

Machine-translated

Michelr2168
Michelr2168

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I thought the estimated time was pessimistic, but it was accurate (we didn't end up returning via Rossberg but went straight through the town after the cave).
The children were delighted.
The Club Vosgien's well-maintained signposting is essential at the castle, especially after the visit

Machine-translated

Charry
Charry

Hello
Thanks for your feedback. Yes, it's a nice hike to do when the weather is nice and warm.
Best regards
Charry

Machine-translated

danone88
danone88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike in this hot weather, with much of the route in the shade.

Machine-translated

Charry
Charry

Hello,
It's a pleasant walk in the sunshine and very popular with children.
Thank you for your feedback.
Charry

Machine-translated

longe cossie
longe cossie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk.
Highlights include Ferrette Castle, plus the little underground passageway, the narrow gorge leading to the Dwarves' Cave, the viewpoint and then Rossberg Tower.
We spotted a chamois, which wasn't at all shy, right at the start of the trail
I think this little hike would appeal to many children.
The weather was superb on this hot, sunny day on 9 July 2024

Machine-translated

Charry
Charry

I'm glad you enjoyed the hike. It's very pleasant in the sunshine.
see you soon!
Charry

Machine-translated

chat
chat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to do in the sunshine. Beautiful views. The description and route map were very useful.

Machine-translated

fredmotard
fredmotard

Overall rating : 2.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

A route to avoid at the moment due to tree felling in the area after the Grotte des Nains cave, with around fifteen trees lying across the path

Machine-translated

Charry
Charry

Thanks for your feedback. With the sun shining, it's a really nice ride.
Charry

Machine-translated

JM Schmitt
JM Schmitt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and varied route with points of interest (Ferrette Castle, the Dwarves' Cave and canyon, Rossberg viewpoint, etc.). Completed on a Sunday in fine weather in September 2023. Few other hikers encountered.

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.