The ruins of Geroldseck Castle (Schonberg)

An hour from Strasbourg, in the heart of the Black Forest (Germany), discover the ruins of Géroldseck Castle. A route along small country lanes, which can be completed on foot or by bike (between 4 and 5 hours on foot). After an initial uphill section, you’ll discover a superb 360-degree panoramic view of the Black Forest at the top of the ruins.

Details

265785
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 366 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 361 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 519 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 197 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) The route starts from the car park of the small supermarket at the entrance to Seelbach. Cross Road 102 and the roundabout to take Reichenbacher Weg for just under 100 metres, then turn left at the junction onto Hocherichtstrasse and follow it for 150 metres.

(1) Take the first right onto Am Wachtbühl and continue along this road, passing four junctions.

(2) At the fifth junction, turn left and leave the village, continuing straight on along the small road Steinbächle.

(3) At the end of this road, continue straight on along Alte Landstrasse and follow it to the large junction with the main road (415) situated on a small pass.

(4) Cross carefully towards the small Rebberg road, passing a car park on your right.

(5) At the three-way junction, turn right onto Schlossberg road, which goes round the ruins on the right and leads to a crossroads.

(6) Turn left and continue uphill to the hamlet of Burg Hohengeroldseck. In the hamlet, turn left and follow the signposted path to reach the castle and its enclosure. The visit can begin with a short walk around the grassy moat, followed by a climb up through the secured ruins (please observe the posted instructions and regulations).

After the visit, head back down the same path towards the hamlet and then the crossroads.

(6) Turn left and follow the road that winds down the other side, skirting the ruins.

(5) Continue straight down towards the pass you crossed on the way up.

(4) From the pass, the return journey follows the same route, all downhill to the village of Seelbach.
Follow the same streets as on the way out in turn: Steinbächle, Am Wachtbuhl, Hocherichtstrasse and Reichenbacher Weg, to return to the roundabout at the start and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 197 m - Car park at the small supermarket in Seelbach
  2. 1 : km 0.23 - alt. 202 m - Am Wachtbuhl Street
  3. 2 : km 0.65 - alt. 251 m - Leaving the village
  4. 3 : km 1.48 - alt. 262 m - Straight ahead on Alte Landstrasse
  5. 4 : km 3.83 - alt. 363 m - Pass
  6. 5 : km 4.01 - alt. 371 m - Junction
  7. 6 : km 5 - alt. 456 m - Junction
  8. S/E : km 11.1 - alt. 197 m - Car park at the small supermarket in Seelbach

Notes

- Basic hiking kit (provisions: water, cereal bars).
- Guesthouses at the foot of the castle and in the starting village (Seelbach).
- Car park at the starting point.
- Easy route on small roads but all uphill to the ruins, so rated as moderate.
Suitable route for cycling.

Worth a visit

- Typical Black Forest farmhouses.
- Unique landscape.
- Seelbach village centre and the town of Larh: worth a visit, for example, after the hike.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Alexo90
Alexo90

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I dropped some people off at Europapark and went on this tour. Beautiful enclosed areas, pastures, beautiful forest. There are variants to make it longer. There is a second castle (Lutzelhardweg) in less good condition but there is a kiosk next to it where you can take shelter to eat (it was raining).

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CyrilleR
CyrilleR

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant little walk, not very difficult, all uphill.
3/4 on tarmac road, a road frequented by cars (hike on a Sunday) but very respectful.
Landscapes of meadows and black forest, with a 360° view at the top of the castle.

I took a different route on the way back, following the yellow diamond markings (blue dotted lines on the visio rando map) through the forest (which took me to point 3 on the map). Much nicer than going back up the same way.

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tchequemat
tchequemat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A great way to start the year.
The description of the route is impeccable.
The view from the castle towards the Vosges is superb.

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Julienawal
Julienawal
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The walk is easy, although it is all uphill (downhill on the way back).
The paths are paved for 3/4 of the route, but there is very little vehicular traffic.
The scenery is beautiful along the way.
This walk is ideal for families with children.

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