The quarries of Buhl, the Appenthal alignments and the Childbirth Seat

An easy walk (except for a slightly steep initial climb) that passes through the beautiful and wild pink sandstone quarries of Buhl.
The pretty quarry trail continues to the famous Menhirs de l'Appenthal and its cyclopean wall.
The walk ends along the vineyards, offering a beautiful view of Hugstein Castle and passing by the strange birthing chair, which is said to have been used in ancient times for childbirth.

Details

5836938
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.91 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 191 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 188 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 520 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 354 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the side of the road near the intersection of Rue du Réservoir and Rue de la Carrière.

(S/E) Set off along Rue du Réservoir, following the red ring markings. After the vineyards, pass the reservoir, and the path enters the forest and climbs to the left. Keep an eye on the markings. The path winds steeply and arrives at the quarries.

(1) At the pink sandstone quarries, continue along the "Sentier des Carrières" (Quarry Trail), still marked with red rings, which reaches a large crossroads at the bend in a forest path.

(2) Take the path that descends towards "Guebwiller Direct" (marked with a red disc). After a few dozen metres, turn right onto the path marked with a red ring and then, after 200 metres, turn left onto the "Chemin des Menhirs" de l'Appenthal, marked with a green ring.

(3) Take a break at the Menhirs. Continue downhill on the path, still marked with a green ring, passing in front of the mysterious Cyclopean Wall. At the first houses, continue along the path directly to the right, above them. You will come back to the vineyards.

(4) Pass in front of the "Siège à Accoucher" (childbirth seat), located at the edge of the vineyards. Continue along the Green Belt trail.

(5) At the intersection, take the path on the left which gently leads back to Buhl, continue along a no-entry road (for bicycles) and then return to the starting point via Rue de la Carrière (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 358 m - Rue de la Carrière x Rue du Réservoir
  2. 1 : km 1.34 - alt. 500 m - Carrières de Buhl
  3. 2 : km 2.31 - alt. 495 m - Large crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.69 - alt. 428 m - Alignements d'Appenthal
  5. 4 : km 3.3 - alt. 373 m - Birthing seat. Near the - La Lauch
  6. 5 : km 3.53 - alt. 391 m - Intersection
  7. S/E : km 4.91 - alt. 358 m - Rue de la Carrière x Rue du Réservoir

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Azimut71
Azimut71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, but let's not exaggerate: the famous menhirs are quite small (are they really menhirs?), and the wall is nothing like a cyclopean structure. Regardless, the route is excellent.

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User 27384077

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for this well-designed app. I'm back in the Paris area and don't need it at the moment.
But I will definitely use it again on my next holiday.
Have a nice day

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Klonk68
Klonk68

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The megaliths are an interesting route, but the noise of the traffic below detracts from its appeal.

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NAG68
NAG68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walks between forests and vineyards are always very pleasant.
Shady circuit.

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FUCHS Claude
FUCHS Claude

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, easy to find directions and as described. The only downside was that my Garmin watch showed a distance of 8 km, almost double the distance indicated.

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Cetti
Cetti

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Hi, I didn't manage to find the red circles indicated on the map, nor the path.
I still had a good time and found a few chestnuts.
Apparently it's just me!

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Maminouxe
Maminouxe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views, no problem...

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Marc68540
Marc68540

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and not too difficult walk.
Beautiful scenery and a pleasant route.

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Brigitte68
Brigitte68

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting circuit with plenty of shade.

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Joêlle68
Joêlle68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

We set off from Guebwiller for a day's walk, but on the way back we missed the little path through the houses. When we reached a cul de sac, we turned around and everything went fine.

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Jean Marie KNECHT
Jean Marie KNECHT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

If you're looking for a fairly short hike at medium altitude with wild landscapes steeped in history, you won't be disappointed.
Be careful on the way back as you reach the top of a residential area. Take the small path that leads off to the right behind the first houses. There is no green circle at the start, but it is the right route.

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Nicole et François
Nicole et François

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant outing

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Balkan55
Balkan55

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good outing.
It was our first and we enjoyed it.
Perfect

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Clasch
Clasch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk, with a large part in the shade.
Best done in dry weather, otherwise the descent can quickly become dangerous.

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JuMBo
JuMBo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this pleasant discovery. The start is indeed quite steep, but the quarry site is well worth it!

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