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).