Frankenbourg Castle from La Vancelle

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A short circular walk providing access to Frankenbourg Castle via the easiest route, starting from La Vancelle.

The castle enjoyed a strategic location at the entrance to two valleys: the Val de Villé along the Giessen (the salt road) and the Val d'Argent along the Lièpvrette (the silver mines).

The route takes place in the forest and offers beautiful views from the castle courtyard.

Details

n°2031734
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.89 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 252 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 251 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 713 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 461 m
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Photos

View of the castle
Frankenbourg Castle
Frankenbourg Castle
View of the Villé valley

Description of the walk

Departure from the heights of La Vancelle. Go up the main road, after the Elisabeth restaurant turn right onto Rue des Chalets, then left onto Rue de l'Altenberg, then right onto Rue du Frankenbourg. Park at the entrance to the forest, at the top of Rue Himmelsleiter.

Red disc markings

(S/E) Follow the Route Rorestière Himmelsleiter towards Frankenbourg Castle (marked Route des Châteaux). Climb steadily to the Col du Frankenbourg.

(1) Leave the path on the right, which will be the return route.

(2) At the pass, climb to the right up to the castle. Enter the castle courtyard for views of the two valleys and the Central Alsace plain.

(3) Retrace your steps to the pass and take the Himmelsleiter forest road.

Yellow diamond markings

(1) After about 100 metres, leave the forest road and take a path downhill to the left towards Hurst.

Blue ring markings

(4) At an intersection, do not continue downhill, but go straight ahead on a flat path towards La Vancelle Village. Return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 461 m - Parking at the top of Rue Himmelsleiter
  2. 1 : km 1.31 - alt. 634 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.44 - alt. 648 m - Col du Frankenbourg (648m)
  4. 3 : km 1.91 - alt. 712 m - Courtyard - Schlossberg (Neubois)
  5. 4 : km 3.23 - alt. 521 m - Straight path, marked with the Anneau Bleu trail
  6. S/E : km 3.89 - alt. 462 m - Parking at the top of Rue Himmelsleiter

Notes

Shelter at the Frankenbourg Pass.

No water source.

Worth a visit

The aim of the hike is to visit the ruins of Frankenbourg Castle, which are open to the public.

Beautiful views of the Villé valley and Saint Gilles on one side, the entrance to the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley on the other, with Haut Koenigsbourg in the distance, and more generally the Central Alsace plain with Sélestat, Scherwiller and Ortenbourg Castle.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
BrigitteST
BrigitteST
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is not particularly difficult, but the climb to the castle is quite steep, gradual but steep nonetheless, and we had to do it in persistent rain. There was no view of the valley due to heavy fog/rain. Since spring, it has been impossible to see the castle, or at least impossible to get close to it due to the risk of falling rocks and parts of the structure that could be dangerous for visitors. The descent, along a small path through the forest, is not difficult, and the forest landscape is pleasant, even in the rain. Good walking shoes and walking sticks are useful on the very wet and muddy bends.

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User 1154545

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Your directions are helpful, but the Club Vosgien signage is very useful

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Jacques R
Jacques R

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike with lovely panoramic views over both valleys
picnic bench at the summit
pleasant forest in summer and sunshine at the summit

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clairetellier
clairetellier

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the explanations etc. are very good, but access to the castle has been prohibited since 30 April due to safety issues related to falling rocks

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Sabatinia
Sabatinia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great walk! We went all the way up to the castle and the view is just amazing! It's a kilometre longer. There's a picnic table and shelter on this route.

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HugoKolb
HugoKolb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Super fun hike! Be careful, it's a bit of a climb at the start, but I'd say it's more medium than easy.

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Hersoso
Hersoso
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes


The climb up to the castle is best avoided until after lunch.
Magnificent views over the two valleys!

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lukyelvis
lukyelvis

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We couldn't take a path back to La Vancelle because we couldn't find it.
It seemed to start at a right angle, but in reality it was really sideways. So we didn't take the risk and took the path back to the start.

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oceane9399
oceane9399

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

the route is not very difficult but you should know that it climbs right from the start - the path is correct and there is a beautiful viewpoint.
on arrival

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Christine67600
Christine67600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short family walk, with a dog (on a lead) and a 7-year-old child (who walks from time to time). No particular difficulties.
Very pretty scenery. We'll be happy to do this mini walk again.

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Phygénie
Phygénie

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I wouldn't say this is an easy route. It does have a nice difference in altitude. We did it with my 10-year-old daughter. She didn't suffer much.

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Nokai
Nokai

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy hike, despite the change in altitude that begins at the car park.
Beautiful views of the two valleys and the plain from the castle.

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tenax54
tenax54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice easy walk to Frankenbourg castle, lots of families on a warm and sunny February day, nice view from the top!!!!

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Nini67
Nini67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty little tour for the whole family, with a slight difference in altitude: uphill on the way out and downhill on the way back.
Very pretty castle and beautiful view from the castle.

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Michel JOLY
Michel JOLY

Yes, indeed, straight to heaven, or rather hell for my clutch, even though I'm used to mountain roads and tracks!

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