On the heights of Lake Kruth

This short family hike takes you up to the ruins of Wildenstein Castle along a discovery trail dotted with information panels. On the way back down, you can walk around the lake and, once you arrive, enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a trip on a pedalo or, for the more energetic, a walk among the trees in the tree-top adventure park right next to the car park.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 589 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 588 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 778 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 537 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) On the D13bis road connecting Kruth to Col de Bramont, park in the car park of the site's reception building.

(1) After going around this building on the left, turn left onto the D144 and continue for about 100 metres.

(2) Leave the road and take the path indicated on the left. The path is quite slippery in wet weather as it is carved into the rock. After climbing about 100 metres, you will arrive at the site of Wildenstein Castle.

(3) Discover the tunnel carved into the rock, the ancient ramparts and magnificent views of the valley and lake.

The descent is via a path that looks tricky but is actually easy, thanks to the handrails positioned here and there. When you reach the road, cross over to the observatory opposite and enjoy views of the entire lake and the dam.

(4) Take the road on your right and follow it, turning clockwise. The road is currently closed to all vehicles; a grassy path has been created and sometimes descends to the banks. Continue to the end of the lake.

(5) After the dam (under construction but accessible on foot), take the road on the right for about 100 metres and take the Chemin du Bourbach on the left.
Continue for 100 metres and take the path on the right marked with a red triangle towards Col du Bockloch.

(6) When you reach a crossroads sheltered by the Tal, take the path on the right that descends. Then, at a hairpin bend on the right, take the Chemin du Hasenloch on the left to reach the upper part of the Bockloch waterfalls on your left. The waterfall is visible from the lake shore.

(7) Continue along the path to the next crossroads.

(8) At the sign for the Grand Ventron nature reserve, take the blue triangle trail on the right that descends to Wildenstein.

(9) Then cross the road at the church to join a red circular trail towards Neufeld.

(10) At Neufeld, take a yellow cross path on the right towards the Kruth-Wildenstein lake junction, until you reach the car park at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 537 m - Parking at the visitor centre
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 550 m - Turn left onto the D144
  3. 2 : km 0.45 - alt. 552 m - The path to the castle is signposted on the left
  4. 3 : km 1.24 - alt. 662 m - Château de Wildenstein
  5. 4 : km 2 - alt. 550 m - Observatory - Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein
  6. 5 : km 2.7 - alt. 549 m - Dam on the - La Thur
  7. 6 : km 4.59 - alt. 721 m - Tal shelter
  8. 7 : km 5.34 - alt. 700 m - Cascade du Bockloch
  9. 8 : km 6.21 - alt. 778 m - On the right, follow the blue triangle signs
  10. 9 : km 7.25 - alt. 571 m - Wildenstein Town Hall
  11. 10 : km 8.24 - alt. 750 m - Neufeld. Follow the yellow cross signs on the right
  12. S/E : km 11.3 - alt. 537 m - Parking at the visitor centre

Notes

For the climb up to the castle, you will need sturdy footwear and a walking stick is recommended.
The walk around the lake (not described here) is easy and can be done by people with reduced mobility.

Drinking water and shelter are available at Wildenstein town hall square.

Table and benches near the cemetery.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

To end the day, you can choose between pedal boats, tree climbing and a refreshing drink.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 40 reviews

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

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, varied walk. One minor downside: it was a bit noisy when we did it (construction work by the lake and traffic noise from the main road in some places).

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christophebr
christophebr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with castle ruins, a lake, waterfalls and a challenging side with ascents and descents

Recommended

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Bronner
Bronner

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
This hike is mainly under trees, so it is well suited for hot days.
Wildenstein Castle is very well documented with numerous information panels along the route. The geological features and glacial history of the valley are also clearly visible.

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soppelsa.marc
soppelsa.marc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk around the lake, waterfall and castle ruins. Well-marked trail. Most of the route is in the forest. Ideal for staying cool.

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Youkis
Youkis

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty route, with beautiful viewpoints, waterfalls and very pleasant paths, often in the forest. Some sections can be technical.

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GERARD Sonia
GERARD Sonia

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 very beautiful hike with stunning scenery and views, complete with information about the history of the site. The elevation gain was just right for my husband and me. The trails were well maintained. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone who hasn't done it yet. 🥾

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DDJ
DDJ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with stunning views and a visit to an extraordinary castle

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Magali_J88
Magali_J88

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note that the path between points 2 and 3 was temporarily closed. I went via point 4 to admire the scenery and ruins, which are well worth seeing. There are lots of waterfalls along the way, which are very pleasant as they are quite abundant. The route is mainly through forest, so I recommend doing it when it's hot so you can enjoy the coolness.

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Sabrina BONNARD
Sabrina BONNARD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views from the ruins of Wildenstein Castle and beautiful waterfalls

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danywalker
danywalker

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A charming, peaceful hike with sunshine – what more could you ask for?

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jean-marie.baur
jean-marie.baur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I completed the hike by passing through a section of the Wild Stone Trail and the Heidenbad waterfall.
The waterfalls were flowing everywhere.

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Gégé d'alsace
Gégé d'alsace

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk with magnificent views of the castle and the village.
A few nice climbs, very pleasant forest trail.

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Delphine de Geishouse
Delphine de Geishouse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I didn't do the whole walk, but came back down along the Bockloch waterfall. Great for a short hike of about 3 hours (including breaks, photos, etc.)

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Emma03121995
Emma03121995

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I discovered this hike on 1 November. I was a little disappointed, as I was expecting beautiful views of the lake, but there aren't really any. The hike has an elevation gain of nearly 600 metres in three stages.

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mijocavi
mijocavi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very interesting route, but not suitable for families. Some of the signposts are a little unclear.
But overall an interesting route, particularly because much of it is shaded.

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