Wissembourg Forest House on the Stiefelsberg

A route featuring numerous narrow paths that wind around the Col du Pigeonnier to the Col du Stiefelsberg, offering views over the Rhine plain, and back via the Chemin des Bornes, which passes through the Luchsenkopf and the Eslsberg.

Details

6737458
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.41 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 791 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 774 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,729 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,030 ft

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the Wissembourg Forest House.

(S/E) Take the path heading west, following the Red Cross markings, which climbs alongside the D3 to the first hairpin bend.

(1) There, cross the D3 and follow the Red Cross markings to the junction with the path coming from Eselsberg.

(2) Continue along the Red Cross-marked path until you reach another fork.

(3) Follow the Red Cross-marked path, which leads to the Stiefelsberg Pass and passes close to a grave.

(4) At the pass, turn right onto the Chemin des Bornes, marked with a Green Triangle, and continue to another fork.

(5) Turn right and continue along the path marked with a Green Triangle, which goes round the Luchsenkopf on the right. Further on, rejoin theGR®532at a junction.

(6) Follow it to the right for about 200 m, then take the path on the right, signposted with a Green Triangle, which goes round the mast on the right and leads to the Club Vosgien car park at the Col du Pigeonnier.

(7) Then take the path that descends and runs alongside the D3, marked with a Red Disc, without reaching the sharp bend in the D3 that you passed on the way there.

(8) Please note: continue left along a path that climbs towards the second hairpin bend on the D3. Cross the road and continue for a few metres until you reach a crossroads.

(9) Turn right onto theGR® 53 (Red Rectangle), which passes by the old Redoute and leads to the car park at the Wissembourg Forest House (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,030 ft - Wissembourg Forest House
  2. 1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 1,145 ft - D3 road
  3. 2 : mi 1.77 - alt. 1,329 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 2.9 - alt. 1,381 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 3.32 - alt. 1,552 ft - Col du Stiefelsberg (475m)
  6. 5 : mi 4.09 - alt. 1,644 ft - Junction
  7. 6 : mi 4.73 - alt. 1,480 ft - Junction – GR 532
  8. 7 : mi 5.42 - alt. 1,368 ft - Col du Pigeonniet (432m)
  9. 8 : mi 6.01 - alt. 1,181 ft - Junction
  10. 9 : mi 6.17 - alt. 1,178 ft - Crossroads – GR53
  11. S/E : mi 6.41 - alt. 1,030 ft - Wissembourg Forest House

Notes

(7) Club Vosgien refuge at the Col du Pigeonnier.

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
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Francine et Jack
Francine et Jack

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, entirely through the forest. The signposting is excellent. I had no trouble following it at all. The only slight downside is that there’s just one small viewpoint and nowhere to have a picnic. I sat down off the path on a tree stump. Luckily, the paths are lovely. Blueberries, magnificent Scots pines, Scots pines, stunning ferns... This walk is one to share with mountain bikers. I only came across four of them. I was on my own for the whole 11 km. There are no particular difficulties.

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mach
mach

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

walks to take when it's hot

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da67
da67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a lovely walk in the woods

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