The Wegelnburg via the Fleckenstein

To reach the car park from Haguenau, take the D27 via Woerth towards Lembach. Then take the D3 and the D925 towards Schönau / Fleckenstein Castle. Do not take the D525, which branches off to the right towards the castle; instead, carry on straight ahead. After a few hundred metres, when the road is no longer suitable for cyclists, the car park is on the left, on the opposite bank of the Sauer.

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the Sauer, then cross the main road to join the^GR®5opposite, signposted with a Red Rectangle. The climb is quite steep. You’ll reach a fork where you should go straight on, following the Red Triangle, to reach Fleckenstein. You can visit the castle (admission fee applies).
Continue along the route, passing the Forest Ranger’s House.

(1) There are two options:
1) Take the^GR®5, marked with a Red Rectangle, which climbs gently.
2) Follow the path marked with the Red Triangle, which climbs steeply – the option chosen on the map and in the description.
Pass to the left of a climbing rock. Continue along the ridge, skirting a series of striking rocks, to reach the junction of several hiking trails at the Col du Hohenbourg

(2) Ignore the paths to the right (we’ll take them on the way back). Carry on straight ahead, following the ‘Wegelnburg’ signs along a wide forest track. You’ll reach the Maidenbrunnen crossroads.

(3) Keep slightly to the left to cross the border and take the middle path (signposted), which leads you, after about 500 m, to the ruins of Wegelnburg Castle , which is due to be restored in 2024 but is open to visitors.

(4) Enjoy a magnificent view of the forests of the Palatinate, the Northern Vosges and part of the Alsace Plain. In good weather, and with binoculars, you can see Strasbourg Cathedral.
Retrace your steps and head back down towards the Maidenbrunnen crossroads.

(3) Take the middle path (signposted ‘Château du Hohenbourg’), which passes to the right of the Maidenbrunnen spring before climbing up towards the castle. The beautiful ruins can be visited before continuing along the same path to reach Loewenstein Castle very quickly.

(5) A little way down and a few metres past the second wooden staircase, take the path that branches off at a hairpin bend. It gradually turns westwards before crossing a path marked with a Red Triangle. Ignore this and keep going in the same direction to join the^GR®5and a path marked with a Red Disc as you reach the Col du Hohenbourg.

(2) Turn sharply left onto the path marked with a Red Disc heading south-east (sign for Gimbelhof). It descends from the Schlossberg, crosses another path near a huge boulder and leads to a T-junction near a lovely playground.

(6) Turn right, head for the Gimbelhof car park and make your way to the restaurant of the same name.

(7) Walk through the Gimbelhof housing estate and, at the junction of three paths, take the one on the right marked with a Blue Disc. Follow this path and its markings; some 500 m further on, another path joins it from the right; continue to the next junction with the^GR®531(Blue Rectangle).

(8) Turn right onto the small path marked with a Red Triangle, which runs close to the county road (small wooden bridge). Cross the road leading to Gimbelhof and take a path that climbs slightly to the right opposite. After a few dozen metres, you’ll reach a junction.

(9) Leave the Red Triangle markings and turn left onto the path marked with a Blue Rectangle. This rejoins the path you took on the way out, crosses the departmental road in the opposite direction and then the bridge to return to the car park (S/E).

Plenty of benches (and sometimes tables) for picnics along the route.
No water points for dogs (apart from the two refreshment stops).

Understanding the Club Vosgien’s signposting.

A visit to Fleckenstein is a must. There’s an admission charge to enter the site, but it’s well worth it.
You can explore the castle at your own pace or take part in a fun-filled tour called ‘Le Château des Défis’.
Catering facilities near the forest ranger’s house.

A lovely playground near the Gimbelhof.
Food and drink available at the Gimbelhof farm.