The castles of Ribeauvillé and Notre-Dame de Dusenbach

This route links the famous castles of Ribeauvillé, which majestically overlook the town, and leads to the Notre-Dame de Dusenbach monastery, an important place of pilgrimage in Alsace. Magnificent views of the vineyards, the plain and the Black Forest can be admired from the fortified castles, the highest points of the walk.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.38 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 955 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 948 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,759 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 860 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available at the Lutzelbach car park, right next to a sports ground.

(S/E) Leave the car park heading towards the secondary school.

(1) Turn right, heading west, onto the steep path marked with a Red Rectangle.

(2) After a fairly steep climb, at the crossroads in the middle of the forest, take the path on the right marked with a Red Rectangle crossed by a White Rectangle (GR®5) towards Saint-Ulrich Castle.

(3) Once you reach Girsberg, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of the plain, the Alsatian vineyards, the Black Forest and Château de Saint-Ulrich. After visiting the ruins, continue along the path to reach the castle.

(4) After visiting the famous ruins of Saint-Ulrich Castle, take the path marked with a Yellow Cross.

(5) Carry on straight ahead along the Red Triangle-marked path towards the Notre-Dame de Dusenbach Monastery. Cut across the access road to avoid the hairpin bend and reach the site.

(6) After visiting the church, do not follow the path downhill (Red Triangle) but head slightly uphill and take the path marked with a Blue Triangle. Continue for about 150 m.

(7) Turn left, staying on the Blue Triangle path, which is known as the “Sentier Maria Raydt” at this point. This path leads onto the RD416.

(8) Turn left towards Ribeauvillé. At the roundabout, continue left towards the town centre.

(9) When you reach Place de la République, turn immediately left onto the steep path signposted “Accès lycée”, which runs alongside the ramparts of the medieval town. Continue straight on at the junction.

(1) Carry on straight ahead to reach the car park at the sports ground (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 935 ft - Lutzelbach car park/sports ground
  2. 1 : mi 0.05 - alt. 968 ft - Ribeaupierre secondary school junction
  3. 2 : mi 0.45 - alt. 1,319 ft - Junction leading to Girsberg Castle
  4. 3 : mi 0.83 - alt. 1,726 ft - Château de Girsberg (Ribeauvillé)
  5. 4 : mi 0.94 - alt. 1,706 ft - Château de Saint-Ulrich
  6. 5 : mi 1.47 - alt. 1,752 ft - Junction, go straight on
  7. 6 : mi 1.94 - alt. 1,309 ft - Notre-Dame de Dusenbach - Le Monastère de Dusenbach
  8. 7 : mi 2.16 - alt. 1,309 ft - The Maria Raydt Trail
  9. 8 : mi 2.94 - alt. 919 ft - RD416. Passes close to the - Strengbach (rivière)
  10. 9 : mi 3.21 - alt. 860 ft - Place de la République
  11. S/E : mi 3.38 - alt. 935 ft - Lutzelbach car park/sports ground

Notes

Lutzelbach car park.

Plenty of places to eat and drink in the charming medieval town of Ribeauvillé.

Worth a visit

Places to visit:

  • Ribeauvillé.
  • The beautiful ruins of the fortified castles of Saint-Ulrich (11th to 16th centuries) and Girsberg (13th to 17th centuries).
  • Magnificent views over the vineyards, the Alsace plain and the Black Forest.
  • The shrine of Notre-Dame de Dusenbach, whose pilgrimage dates back to the 13th century.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
cajoba
cajoba

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There is a significant elevation gain at the start, but the view of the castles and Haut de Saint Ullrich is well worth the effort.

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User 8015707

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike. We didn't see the right path on the way back and ended up walking an extra 1.5 km.
From the car park, the climb up to St Ulrich Castle is quite difficult and the terrain is very uneven in places. But the view is worth the effort...
Then it's all downhill to Notre Dame de Dusenbach.

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User 26473619

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike with beautiful views! Accessible to most people.

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