The Windstein Castles

The starting point is 25 km north-west of Haguenau.
From Haguenau, head towards Woerth via the D26. At Woerth, head towards Froeschwiller. Follow signs for ‘Château de Windstein’. At the Hôtel-restaurant du Windstein, turn right towards ‘Windstein’. At the fork, turn left towards the castle. 100 metres past the town hall, there is a car park on the right.

(S/E) Car park on Rue des Genêts. Return to the road leading to the castles and turn right.

(1) At the inn, turn right. Take the forest track that leads into the woods. Pass the return path on your right. At the crossroads, keep to the right, towards Vieux Windstein (Red Cross). Just before the house, climb up to the left via a stone-carved staircase, the start of which is not very clearly marked. You will reach the Château du Vieux Windstein.

(2) Walk round the outer wall on the left, following the rock face. At the end of the rock face, take a flight of steps, then go through a tunnel. After exploring the northern part of the castle, go down a flight of steps and turn right to follow the other side of the rock face along a good path. Several footbridges and staircases lead up to a viewpoint. From the viewpoint, head back the way you came and turn left to complete this first circular loop.

(1) Back at the restaurant, head straight on following the Red Rectangle signposts.

(3) Shortly afterwards, turn right onto a path which, once at the top, becomes a forest track. This forest track leads to the Château du Nouveau Windstein. (If you continue straight on, an alternative route also takes you to the castle via a wider path). A footbridge leads into the castle. Then, a series of stairs and internal walkways allow you to explore the interior of the castle. After your visit, exit through the rear door (opposite the entrance) and turn left onto a descending path (Red Rectangle).

(4) At the signpost, turn right. On the tarmac road, turn left. At the church, follow the road to the left to return to the car park (S/E).

Pleasant forest paths and trails. Steep climbs to reach the castles.
Visiting Vieux Windstein Castle requires the utmost caution, particularly with children.
Allow two hours to visit both castles.
There’s a lovely spot (without tables) at Nouveau Windstein Castle for a picnic break.

The two castles of Windstein
Probably built around 1205 to protect the road leading to Haguenau, the Old Windstein Castle occupies a rocky outcrop approximately 160 metres long. Most of the rooms were hewn out of the rock. The entrance to the castle was via a fortified gate with a double drawbridge, which can still be seen today. The outbuildings stood on the platform.
The Nouveau Windstein Castle was built around 1339 following the destruction of the Vieux Windstein. From the esplanade, one stands before a large residential tower defended by a shield wall. The great hall and the residential tower still retain some fine mullioned windows (or windows grouped in pairs). Beneath the tower, there is a room entirely hewn out of the rock.