Le Haut Barr - the Hexentisch - The Brotsch Tower - The Schaeferplatz IBP 47

Haut Barr, Hexentisch, Brotsch Tower, Schaeferplatz: a whole menu for discovering this tiny part of the Vosges.
This easy hike, suitable for the whole family, will delight you with its many viewpoints, such as the Devil's Bridge, the Brotsch Tower, the Huck Rock and many others waiting to be discovered.
What's more, the many picnic spots make this hike even more enjoyable.

Details

40421
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 358 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 356 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 541 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 283 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
  • ⚐ District: Saverne (67700)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.732791° / E 7.346439°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Saverne-(Ht-Barr).
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3715OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Starting point car park with 5 spaces: N48°43'58.1" E7°20'47.2"

(S/E) From the car park, go up the D171 for 60 m towards the south-west.

(1) Leave the road and take the path in the forest that climbs south-southwest.

(2) Follow this path until it joins theGR®5marked with a red rectangle. Continue on theGR® heading south-southwest.

(3) Walk alongside Haut-Barr Castle. Walk alongside the Chappe telegraph tower.
Go around the Grand Geroldseck on the left, then go around the Petit Geroldseck on the right.
Follow this track to the Witches' Table (Hexentisch).

(4) At the Witches' Table, follow theGR®5(red rectangle) heading west-southwest towards the Brotsch Tower.

(5) You can climb the tower (panoramic view) and there are several picnic areas.

(6) Retrace your steps.

(5) Take the Red-White-Red trail heading north-northwest.

(7) Pass by Rocher Huck (viewpoint). Continue downhill, following the red-white-red signs until you reach a forest path.

(8) Near this path, there is a viewpoint and a picnic area.

(9) Return to the path.

(8) Continue along this road heading south-southwest for about 450 m.

(10) Leave the forest path and take the track marked with a red and yellow ring on the right.
Continue along this balcony trail until you reach the intersection with theGR®5Rectangle Rouge (you are above the Grotte du Brotsch).

(11) From this intersection, follow theGR®5(red rectangle) downhill in a north-northwest direction. Pass in front of the Brotsch cave and the Cuve de Pierre.

(12) Continue following theGR®5(red rectangle) to Schaeferplatz (picnic area).

(13) Take the path on the right marked with a blue cross heading north.
Follow this path marked with a blue cross for 5 km.

(14) Leave the path marked with a blue cross on your right and stay on the path heading north, north-east. You are now 1.7 km from your destination. Continue along the path until you reach the junction with the D171 (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 283 m - Parking for 5 cars
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 288 m - Leave the road and take the path into the forest
  3. 2 : km 0.58 - alt. 356 m - Junction with the GR5
  4. 3 : km 1.3 - alt. 432 m - Château du Haut-Barr
  5. 4 : km 2.89 - alt. 423 m - Table des Sorcières
  6. 5 : km 3.68 - alt. 536 m - Fork in the road. Return to the tower
  7. 6 : km 3.72 - alt. 541 m - Panorama - Tour du Brotsch
  8. 7 : km 4.25 - alt. 475 m - Huck Rock
  9. 8 : km 4.42 - alt. 468 m - Fork in the road. Return to the viewpoint
  10. 9 : km 4.48 - alt. 452 m - Viewpoint and picnic area
  11. 10 : km 4.9 - alt. 482 m - marked trail Anneau Rouge and Anneau Jaune.
  12. 11 : km 5.99 - alt. 519 m - Intersection with the GR5 - Grotte du Brotsch
  13. 12 : km 6.7 - alt. 420 m - Cuve de Pierre
  14. 13 : km 7.2 - alt. 383 m - Schaeferplatz
  15. 14 : km 12.04 - alt. 335 m - Keep heading north
  16. S/E : km 13.75 - alt. 284 m - Parking for 5 cars

Notes

Worth a visit

Visit Haut-Barr.
Visit to the Chappe Telegraph.
Climb the Brotsch Tower.

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 55 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Djef57
Djef57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A brilliant walk – a castle, ruins, scenic views, it’s all there...
A pleasant trail; towards the end, the path runs parallel to the forest road, which is more pleasant and shaded. Signposted.
I recommend it.

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CABRERA
CABRERA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Really enjoyable; I did it on an empty stomach.
A lovely walk

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FranzvW
FranzvW

A beautiful hike without much difficulty. The last few kilometres are on a wide forest path (Le chemin du Président) with little interest. Alternatively, from point 14, you can take a parallel path on the right, slightly higher up in the forest, which is more pleasant and leads to the same place.

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User 24823958

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful trail combining forest, points of interest and beautiful views.
The trail is not particularly difficult and is well marked.
Contrary to some reviews that mentioned parking difficulties, I can confirm that the information in the description is clear. The GPS will take you there without any problems.
The Haut Barr castle is very beautiful and offers a magnificent view of the Alsace plain.
I think it's a shame to bypass the Petit and Grand Geroldseck. I didn't go there for fear of losing the trail, but I'll visit them on my next trip to the area!
The rocks and views on the second part of the route are also remarkable.
Only the last 2 km are a little monotonous, but this doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the walk.

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Leo67000
Leo67000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It was a busy day, because on the morning of Sunday 31 March there was a popular march in Saverne. <
it was a lovely walk with some great spots.

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magatra
magatra

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks to the person who recorded and commented on this route.
The directions are very clear for a novice hiker like me.
A lovely route where it's good to take your time to stop and visit, and admire the different viewpoints.
Enjoy the walk

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Doris57
Doris57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice route and not too many people on Monday! We took the time to visit the ruins, particularly the Grand Geroldseck ruin, which is currently being restored. Lots of beautiful rocks and viewpoints. We followed the tracks without any problems. It's true that the end is a bit long, but it's still a great walk!

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highlander
highlander

Nice hike 👍. The description is good.

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Hanauer
Hanauer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb, easy walk, not too steep and pleasant
Passage through Haut Barr castle
Very pleasant in warm weather, most of the walk is in the forest
Plenty of opportunities to take a break and rest on benches

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Hérisson59
Hérisson59

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Super nice hike! Do it again!

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Stéphanie3
Stéphanie3

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, especially in the first half of the route, with beautiful views and various places to put your bag down for lunch. The return may indeed seem a little monotonous (just over 6 km on a forest path), but as it was autumn, it was a good time to admire the colours of the forest. Take the time to climb to the top of the little tower, where the view is magnificent, but be careful as the interior is very dark and the steps have been damaged by time.

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Treppler
Treppler

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Good description overall.
2 observations:
- the start is not far from the Hôtel de la Garenne, and you can also start from the Bildstoeckel next to the hotel car park.
- The return journey along the forest track is a little monotonous.
Otherwise, there's nothing to say - the views and remarkable sites make this a particularly pleasant hike.

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maryse2408
maryse2408

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
I would like to do this hike, but I don't know this place. Could you be a little more precise about the starting point for this hike?
Can you be a little more precise about the starting point for this hike? Moreover, in the reviews posted, one person said that he hadn't done this hike because the starting point wasn't precise.
Thank you for your reply if possible:

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biache.pascal@orange .fr
biache.pascal@orange .fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk with many points of interest concentrated in one part of the route.
A visit to the telegraph tower is well worthwhile.
The only downside is the long section on the President's forest road.
You can set off from Reinhardsmunster (car park in Rue du Geroldseck).

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KB
KB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk through the mountains surrounding Saverne.
The trails maintained by Le Club Vosgien are numerous, and the proposed route is full of options for following GR or forest paths at your convenience. What counts on this walk is exploring the various châteaux and the diverse viewpoints along the way, from the panoramas of the valleys to the rock formations.
Picnics are an optional extra. Lunch at the Là-Haut restaurant in the ruins of Haut-Barr castle is the icing on the cake before or after the walk.

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