The walk starts from the car park at Gimbelhof Farm (after Lembach, head north towards Fleckenstein Pond, then turn right towards Gimbelhof-Wingen).
After enjoying the playground, follow the red circles to the pass (1). Turn right and follow the red triangles to Krappenfels (2). Retrace your steps. Approximately two-thirds of the way between Krappenfels and the pass, turn right onto the path that climbs up to Loewenstein Castle (red, white, red rectangle).
After visiting both sides of the castle (3), continue towards Hohenbourg Castle (4) and enjoy the panoramic view and orientation table.
Continue north and, at elevation 501 (5), turn southwest and return to the pass following the red rectangles (you can see another beautiful castle when you cross the border after 500 metres). From the pass (1), there are two possible routes
- Either along the ridge with the red triangles (a beautiful walk with great views, but a slightly more difficult route)
- Or take a forest path marked with red rectangles.
Before Fleckenstein Castle, you will arrive at Petit Fleck, which has a souvenir shop and a small restaurant in summer.
There is an admission charge for visiting the castle, but children can visit the Château des Défis (Challenge Castle).
The return journey is via the Sentier des Charbonniers (yellow circles) with information boards explaining how charcoal kilns were built, then follow the red and white rectangles to Gimbelhof.
Lembach and the 3 Castles
A walk made for children.
The walk starts and ends at a superb medieval playground, with a splendid view of the Krappenfels. There are two partially renovated castle ruins and the fully renovated Fleckenstein Castle (entrance fee).
Details
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 5.85 km -
Average duration: 2h 25 -
Difficulty: Easy -
-
Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 262 m -
Descent: - 269 m -
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Highest point: 547 m -
Lowest point: 300 m
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Country:
France
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Area: Vosges du Nord -
District:
Lembach (67510) -
Start/End: N 49.047485° / E 7.787079° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 3814ET -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 348 m
- 1 : km 1.1 - alt. 474 m - Col
- 2 : km 1.72 - alt. 468 m - Krappenfels
- 3 : km 2.37 - alt. 530 m - Loewenstein Castle
- 4 : km 2.66 - alt. 547 m - Hohenbourg Castle
- 5 : km 2.91 - alt. 499 m - Marker at point 501
- 6 : km 4.28 - alt. 336 m - Fleckenstein
- S/E : km 5.85 - alt. 345 m
Notes
The three hours do not include time spent visiting the castles and playing in the playground, which can take longer than the walk itself.
You can count on a full day when you do this walk with children, as picnics in the castles are part of the charm.
Worth a visit
Château des Défis: ( http://www.fleckenstein.fr/visites/le-ch... ) allow an extra two hours for the challenges and the tour of the castle.
Gimbelhof Farm: You can quench your thirst with a good beer and a tarte flambée.
Reviews and comments
4.9 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Very pleasant walk along shady paths in the forest. Interesting ruins.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
A very nice little hike, just right for us 
The woods are beautiful and pleasant.
The Loewenstein is in a sorry state, but the Fleckenstein is worth the €5 entrance fee - we loved it.
We loved it. Thank you!
P.S. I have the impression that the degrees of difficulty are based more on duration than on the terrain...
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes
This comment concerns the Colorado alsacien hike.
I think that describing this hike as easy is unrealistic.
It should be made clear that the route is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. The start of the route is doable but then there are rocks to climb, no ramps, steps or other safety devices.
Some adaptations would be welcome.
Thank you for taking my message on board and for your work.
A small comment on the accessibility of the circuits would be useful.
Sincerely
As far as Falkenstein Castle is concerned, the information was realistic and the tour could be done with a little help.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A very nice walk, the ruins of Loewenstein and especially Hoenbourh are impressive.
I highly recommend it.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes
.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Done today and no regrets!
Beautiful scenery and not many hikers, so we really had a great time.
Our 6-year-old daughter went with us and she loved it!
However, if you want to finish the day with a visit to Fleckenstein Castle, you'll need to plan ahead.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Superb hike, only downside: after the col, the return via the ridge is rather tricky and it's difficult to follow the red triangle.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Reliable
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Attention....be sure to check the Fleckenstein opening times!
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Superb hike with some very fine views, particularly the one at Krappenfels which we almost missed and therefore doubly appreciated (green sign slightly hidden in the tree): at the first (?) bend in the wide path, turn right onto a passage that leads to overhanging rocks and a view of Fleckenstein castle and the mountains.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Nice easy walk with beautiful views
Machine-translated
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Feb 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Be careful with children when visiting the castle ruins, as they are not safe enough.
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