The Big Oak Tree via the Raedersdorf Discovery Trail

This family hike takes you to the majestic Gros Chêne de Sondersdorf. Entirely in the forest, it passes through the Raedersdorf Discovery Trail, decorated with around fifty (or more) wooden sculptures and dotted with educational panels that are sure to interest children. Best done in dry weather in any season.
If you only want to do the discovery trail and see the sculptures, see Practical Information.

Details

22155009
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.77 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 499 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 472 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,913 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,470 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start in Raedesdorf: Sentier de Découverte car park, at the end of Rue des Pins.
Start in Sondersdorf: see Practical Information.

Red Ring markings

(S/E) From the car park, enter the forest path to the left of a goblin armed with a spear. Thefirst sculptures already catch the eye. You’ll reach a four-way junction.

(1) Leave the return path on your right and continue straight ahead. Shortly afterwards, turn right; the path leads gently uphill to a five-way junction, where a table and benches are located on the left at the edge of the woods.

(2) Leave the Yellow Ring path (a short, incomplete version of the discovery trail) to your right and the Blue Triangle path, which leads directly to the Gros Chêne, diagonally to your right. Continue straight ahead and, after a few hundred metres, the magnificent sculpture of a red kite, next to a bench, dominates the path.

(3) You now have two options:

1) To follow only the discovery trail, turn right and head uphill (a bit steep at first). See Practical Information.

2) The option shown on the map and described below.

Red Triangle markings

(3) Leave the discovery trail temporarily and take the path marked with a Red Triangle. No more sculptures, but some remarkable trees, including a large beech, about 350 m further on to the right (4), which has an exceptional burl (a woody growth). The path continues slightly uphill and then descends towards a junction.

(5) Pass an unmarked path on your right which climbs up to the Gros Chêne. You’ll reach a car park and then, about 150 m further on, the end of Rue de la Montagne near a bench (beautiful view of Sondersdorf).

Blue Triangle signposting

(6) Head up the wide, carriage-accessible path on the right, which continues from Rue de la Montagne. Ignore a path on the left. When the slope levels out, you’ll reach a junction. Turn right towards the Gros Chêne, clearly visible in the distance.

(7) Two tables with benches provide a spot for a picnic at the foot of the majestic tree. A sign tells its story, dating back to the Peasants’ War (1525) – see Practical Information.
The return route heads due east. Ignore a path on the left, then, at the junction of five paths, continue straight ahead (Blue Triangle marker on a tree on the left). After 150 m you will rejoin the discovery trail, which crosses the wide Blue Triangle path.

Red Ring markings

(8) Head right at the bottom for a round trip of a few hundred metres. Admire the sculptures, and, except in winter, make the most of a picnic table and a two-person deckchair with a view.
Retrace your steps to the previous junction.

(8) Cross the Blue Triangle path and head straight ahead. The nature trail continues; in addition to the sculptures and botanical information boards, quotes from authors adorn the path.
Further on, the Yellow Ring path joins yours. Continue straight ahead. At the next junction, leave the start of the Interregio path (Yellow Triangle) on your left and head straight ahead (slightly to the right) until you reach the junction marking the end of the circular path.

(1) Turn left, heading in the opposite direction to the path you took on the way out, and you will return to the car park at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,470 ft - Car park for the Discovery Trail. Near the - Ill (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.32 - alt. 1,529 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.67 - alt. 1,588 ft - Five-way junction – Table and benches
  4. 3 : mi 0.86 - alt. 1,608 ft - Eagle sculpture - Bench
  5. 4 : mi 1.08 - alt. 1,670 ft - Beech tree with an exceptional burl
  6. 5 : mi 1.44 - alt. 1,722 ft - Crossroads
  7. 6 : mi 1.62 - alt. 1,772 ft - Bench - View of Sonderdorf
  8. 7 : mi 2.02 - alt. 1,903 ft - Le Gros Chêne de Sondersdorf
  9. 8 : mi 2.88 - alt. 1,739 ft - Crossroads - Red Ring
  10. S/E : mi 3.77 - alt. 1,470 ft - Car park

Notes

You can also start from Sondersdorf at the end of Rue de la Montagne, at the Fork in the road (6). Turn right; there is a car park 150 m away.

(3) Shortcut to do only the discovery trail: follow the Red Ring markings along the path ascending from (3) to (8), then cross the Blue Triangle path and continue straight ahead, following the Red Ring markings.
Allow 2 hours, taking your time over the 3.4 km and 100 m elevation gain; the trail is fully marked with Red Ring signs.

New sculptures are added regularly; some, worn down by time, eventually disappear, whilst others are brought indoors for the winter. Thanks to Mr Patrick Ruetsch for this information.
Follow the latest news about the Discovery Trail on Facebook.

(7) Between 1524 and 1526, the Peasants’ War arose from opposition to the ecclesiastical and aristocratic hierarchy. Wikipedia.
See also the uncertain history of the Gros Chêne (by Christophe Mattern, ONF technician).

The area around the Gros Chêne is equipped for picnics, but groups of more than ten people wishing to stay there must notify the Sonderdorf town hall.

Understanding the Club Vosgien trail markings.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Mariejean.MUNCK
Mariejean.MUNCK

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike. We were blessed with blue skies and sunshine.
A pleasant family outing.

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mchoze
mchoze
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

This route is hampered by relatively sparse signposting, particularly at the start. It consists of two loops, a short one (educational trail) and a long one that leads to the old oak tree. Otherwise, it is a very interesting and varied walk with no difficulty, and well done to Raedersdorf for this route.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Hello

A new version incorporating VR Patrick Ruetsch's comments is now available on the website and in the app.
(@Patrick, more details in a personal message dated 11/08/23).

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Patrick Ruetsch
Patrick Ruetsch
• Edited:

Hello François,
Between (3) and (8) there is a cheese with two mice, a few metres further on a cat watching the scene, then a magpie, a cat that would like to catch a bird, a snake and a hedgehog, a deckchair for two people, a snail, a table and bench set, the bee you mention in 6 and finally a woodpecker. But this list is not set in stone. There are currently 62 sculptures on the trail and new ones are added regularly. Some of them, worn down by time, eventually disappear. The deckchair and the table and bench set are removed at the beginning of winter and put back in the spring.
Best regards, Patrick

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Hello and thank you for your letter.

It is indeed a shame not to take advantage of the path between points 3 and 6. However, at point (6), I suggest making a round trip to the picnic table via the beautiful bee sculpture, which may encourage visitors to go further.

I will modify the text, however, to indicate in the introduction that it is possible to do only the short version (Anneau Rouge exclusively) to see all the sculptures, and to mention this possibility again in the description at point (3).
I can also mention at point (6) that there are other sculptures in this section beyond the picnic table.

As soon as I have the opportunity, I will return to do this route. In the meantime, could you give me the list of sculptures between (3) and (6) that are not visible on the itinerary, so that I can mention them in the Practical Information section.

Best regards
François

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Patrick Ruetsch
Patrick Ruetsch

Hello,
i am one of the people who look after the Raedersdorf discovery trail. I often meet hikers who are doing the walk you suggest, and I would like to thank you for this hiking suggestion. However, these people are often a little disappointed when they learn that there were sculptures between points 3 and 6, which they therefore did not see. There are currently six sculptures and a deckchair that they miss. But this may change. I would therefore suggest adding this information to your description, or even suggesting this "shortcut" between points 3 and 6 as an alternative to your current suggestion.
Best regards, Patrick
PS: There is a Facebook page with updates on the trail.

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XavierZ
XavierZ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

great outing, the kids loved it
however, as usual, it took us more than two hours...

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23011939
23011939

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
as always, the hike discoverers have some
some great ideas.
This hike came at just the right time, as the temperature was
was showing 30°C and the walkers appreciated the shade of the forest.
thanks to whoever suggested this route
Best regards
Michel

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