The Virgin of Alsace in Niederbruck

From the top of the rocky promontory of Eichstein, the Virgin of Alsace watches over Niederbruck and the Doller Valley. Access to the Virgin is only possible on foot via a medium-difficulty hiking trail.

Details

153703
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 208 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 209 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 557 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 417 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on Rue Joseph Vogt.

(S/E) Continue straight ahead for about 100 metres, then turn right onto Rue de la Vierge d'Alsace.

(1) Cross the road at the edge of the cycle path where the trail enters the forest. Follow the blue disc markings.

(2) When you reach an intersection, turn left and climb up to the Virgin Mary statue. You will have a view of the village and the Triebelskopf and Heindenkopf mountains.

(3) Return along the same path to the intersection.

(2) Head east, following the blue ring markings.

(4) Leave the path and take Rue de Eichwald, then Rue de la Chapelle opposite, until you reach the Kutzakapala oratory, also known as the Owl Chapel. There is a bench where you can take a short break and admire the landscape.

(5) Take the path on the left marked with a yellow, white and yellow rectangle. Follow this path, which turns right.

(6) Continue north-east then east.

(7) Turn right onto a fairly steep path towards Masevaux, marked with a yellow rectangle on theGR® 532. At the end of this zigzag path, cross the Willerbach river via a small bridge to reach a wider path on the right, the Chemin du Willerbach, which will take you to the entrance of the village.

(8) At the entrance to the hamlet of Zollenbourg, take the cycle path on the right and follow it to the cross at the junction where the path enters the forest. Cross the D466 road on the left to reach Rue de la Vierge d'Alsace and, on the left, the car park on Rue Joseph Vogt (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 430 m - Parking Rue Joseph Vogt - Source de la Doller
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 435 m - Route D146
  3. 2 : km 0.51 - alt. 456 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 0.9 - alt. 530 m - The Virgin of Alsace
  5. 4 : km 1.7 - alt. 458 m - Rue de Eichwald then Rue de la Chapelle
  6. 5 : km 2.59 - alt. 458 m - Chapel of the Owls
  7. 6 : km 2.74 - alt. 465 m - Turn right
  8. 7 : km 4.84 - alt. 528 m - Steep zigzag path
  9. 8 : km 6.8 - alt. 418 m - Zollebourg: cycle path
  10. S/E : km 9.08 - alt. 430 m - Parking Rue Joseph Vogt

Worth a visit

(3) The Virgin of Alsace in Niederbruck. Sculpted by Antoine Bourdelle in 1923, it is made of grey Chauvigny stone (limestone). Before its inauguration on 7 October 1923, the sculpture was exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in Paris.

(5) S'Kutzakapala, also known as the Chapel of the Owls.
Built after the 1870 war, the Owl Chapel is known in Sickert as "S'Kutzakapala". The name is said to come from a family in the village whose nickname was "Les Kutzas", meaning "the dishevelled ones". The elders say that the statue of the Virgin Mary inside the small building is the work of a farm labourer. He wanted to thank the villagers who had taken him in during the winter.

 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.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
danlutterrando
danlutterrando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is best enjoyed in good weather, as the return journey after visiting the Virgin of Alsace is slippery, but the view over the Masevaux valley is superb.

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mac ak
mac ak

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike, we did it backwards so we wouldn't end up on the cycle path, which is also quite nice for finishing off. In short, a nice, easy little hike for a Sunday with the family.

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yvienne
yvienne
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice walk, even though I did it on a grey day. Beautiful views at the start (you reach La Vierge very quickly). The walk around the valley is perhaps a little less interesting but still pleasant (and allows you to escape the noise of traffic): it's forest...

Unlike others, I found the last part on the cycle path quite pleasant.

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ajvoyage
ajvoyage

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

No particular problems, interesting hike (very beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary in Niederbruck)
However, the end of the hike is on a cycle path... but not too close to the road
Beautiful scenery

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vessedeloup68
vessedeloup68

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A rather pleasant hike with superb views of the Alps on a clear day from La Vierge d'Alsace. The route is varied, taking in forest, river, countryside and narrow lanes. It's a shame that the hike ends on tarmac (cycle path).

Superb walk.

Worth doing again

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marcheursAPA
marcheursAPA

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful hike, I walked alone.
I made a mistake on the route between 4 and 5,

didn't look at the signs properly, night was falling, so I went home. I'll do the rest another time.

It's only a postponement.

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verrerie
verrerie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I really enjoyed this route, which combines a bit of urban scenery with wide paths and, of course, steeper, fairly shaded sections. It's an easy hike with beautiful views, and I highly recommend it.

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Sicarius
Sicarius

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk, except for the return trip along the cycle path, which does spoil it a little.

Paradoxically, you can't really see the statue of the Virgin Mary from the front: when you're at the bottom, you're too far away, and when you're close, you can't stand in front of it (empty space).
In any case, the path leading there is worth the detour: I could walk for hours in a forest like this!

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ROBYSON
ROBYSON

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant walk, with the statue of the Virgin Mary worth seeing.
However, for hiking purists, there is a bit too much tarmac (crossing the streets of SICKERT and returning on the cycle path from MASEVAUX to NIEDERBRUCK).

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kty 90
kty 90

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A little put off by the long return trip on the cycle path, we didn't follow the trail exactly as marked, but we took inspiration from it and extended it. The trail is well marked, so if you know the area a little, it's fine. Thank you.

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Attilab
Attilab

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

very beautiful route, not difficult

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renard.mo-ma@orange.FR
renard.mo-ma@orange.FR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful day from La Vierge with a great view of the valley and the village.
As usual, nothing to say about how the walk went.
Best regards
Mimi

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marwan
marwan

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Apart from at the start and in the middle of the route, there are no steep slopes. It is a beautiful walk that combines forest, countryside and a few streets lined with pretty houses. The long section of cycle path allows you to unwind on the way back.

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