Haut-Koenigsbourg via La Wick

Starting point: From Kintzheim, head to the Wick car park, next to the Montagne des Singes animal park. You can get there using the Haut-Koenigsbourg shuttle bus (line 500). Please note: this shuttle bus only runs for part of the year.

Red Rectangle markings on^{the GR®5}

(S/E) From the Wick car park (Montagne des Singes), take the footpath near the bus stop, heading towards the castle (see the Club Vosgien sign). After about 400 m, you’ll reach a junction.

(1) Turn left heading due south. The path reaches a junction just before the tarmac road (D159).

(2) Ignore the paths branching off to the right, head towards the road and, just before reaching it, turn right onto the^GR®5, which runs alongside the road. After 200 m, you’ll pass a small picnic area and then a car park, before reaching the spot known as “Borne hexagonale” with its few benches.

(3) Continue straight on, staying close to the D159, until you reach a junction of numerous paths and tracks at the spot known as "Kreuzweg".

(4) Take the central path to the right of the wooden bench. Continue to follow the^GR® and its Red Rectangle markers. After the sharp right-hand bend, the climb becomes steeper. After a wide left-hand bend and a junction of paths, the^GR® reaches the road. Cross it with care. The path climbs up opposite to reach a junction about thirty metres further on.

Yellow Diamond Markings

(5) Leave the^GR®5and turn right; the Yellow Diamond trail soon joins the road. Cross it carefully and continue for a few hundred metres. Pass an old sandstone fountain dating from 1901.
There isan interesting viewpoint on your right, looking towards the Val d'Argent, the Rocher du Coucou and the ruins of Frankenbourg. The path joins a wide forest track.

(6) Cross the forest track; on the left, continue along the narrower path and climb up to the castle via the steps at the top, next to the pavilion.

(7) Arrival at Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. Enjoy the panoramic view over the vineyards and the Alsace plain. You can visit the castle (check opening times in advance).
Retrace your steps back to the forest path.

Unmarked

(6) Turn left onto this wide, unmarked path. After a few hundred metres, it rejoins the Yellow Diamond markings at the junction with the Schaentzel Forest Path.

Yellow Diamond markings

(8) At the junction, turn right and head down the forest path. It joins another path after a barrier. Cross over and continue down the slope to the large crossroads at Abri Pain d’Épices.

Red Cross markings

(9) Several picnic tables and a wooden shelter are available to take refuge in if the weather turns bad. Continue straight on, following the Red Cross markings. At the Fork in the road, turn right; the path now remains level. After a wide right-hand bend, the final 500 m lead to the “Totermann” junction, where the forest road curves to the left.

(10) When you reach the large rock engraved with the inscription “Koenigs-burg”, turn right, then after 30 m, turn left, following the same markings. Keep to the right to reach a junction of several paths.

(11) At the junction, continue following the same markings, heading north towards La Wick. The path turns east and, after several hundred metres and several junctions, reaches the junction before the D159 encountered on the way out.

Red Rectangle Markings

(2) Retrace your steps along the paths taken on the way there, following the^GR®5to the La Wick car park (S/E).

Names and meanings of the Club Vosgien trail markers.

Visit to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle after reaching the summit of the hike.

Visit to the Montagne des Singes, next to the start/finish point, during the park’s opening period (late March to early November).