Mont Ste-Odile Sud, from Birkenfels to Landsberg via Kienberg, Bloss, Jadelot

Parking at the Carrefour de la Bloss car park, located at the intersection of the D426 and D854.

^1st circular loop.

(S/E) Walk towards Birkenfels Castle via the path that runs alongside the D426 departmental road, marked with a yellow cross and blue ring.
Pass the Charles Kommer sandstone monument and the Club Vosgien kiosk.

(1) Further on, at the Birkenfels Club Vosgien kiosk, turn right towards Birkenfels Castle (visit the castle, which dates from the^mid-12th century).

(2) Retrace your steps and take the forest road on the right towards the Breitmatt crossroads for about 50 metres, then turn left onto a forest path towards Breitmatt, marked with a blue and green ring. You will arrive at the D426 near a car park and picnic area.

(3) Cross the D426 and take a small shaded forest path opposite, towards Kienberg hill, marked with a green ring. At the first intersection, continue on the^GR®5forest path (marked with a red rectangle). After about 1 km, it reaches a fork in the road.

(4) Turn left, leave the^GR® and follow the forest path that climbs up to Kienberg, south side, marked with a yellow triangle. Reach the Kienberg viewpoint.

(5) Enjoy the view and the benches, then descend the north side towards the pass of the same name, marked with a blue ring and yellow triangle. At the pass, rejoin the D426.

(1) Cross the road and join the path running alongside it, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, passing by the monument and the Charles Kommer shelter to reach the Bloss crossroads (S/E).

^2nd circular loop.

(S/E) Cross opposite, towards Kiosque Jadelot, marked with a red ring and disc (tables and benches on the left). The forest path leads to Kiosque Jadelot (beautiful view of the castles of Andlau and Spesbourg).

(6) Go past the kiosk and head towards Landsberg Castle and Barr via the^GR®5until you reach the junction with the D109 departmental road; cross it to reach the place known as "La Handschab" opposite.

(7) Take the uneven, sloping forest path towards "Landsberg" Landsberg Castle, marked with a red rectangle (^GR®5), via the geological trail (marked with a green disc) to the Landsberg crossroads.

(8) Leave the^GR®5and head towards Landsberg Castle, marked with a red triangle. Pass close to the forest house and climb up to the castle site via the shaded forest path and a few steps. Visit the^12th-century castle and the beautiful oriel window of the chapel.

(9) Continue along a sloping path that leads to Rocher Herrade, a sort of chaos of sandstone blocks (marked with a red triangle).

(10) Turn right onto the path to rejoin the Sentier des Chameaux, marked with a blue triangle, which runs alongside a forest road. It is joined by a path coming from the left. Continue and keep left to reach the exit of the first bend in the forest road.
Continue along this forest road until the end of the second bend and take the path uphill to the right towards the D854 departmental road.

(11) Cross the road and take the stairs opposite up the forest path, marked with a yellow triangle, blue triangle and yellow cross. Continue along this path until you reach the junction with the Mont Sainte-Odile Carrefour de la Bloss path, marked with a red rectangle on the right.

(12) Climb this path to Carrefour de la Bloss and the car park (S/E).

The route includes three Club Vosgien shelters: the Charles Kommer shelter, the Birkenfels shelter and the Jadelot kiosk.

Understanding the Club Vosgien's trail markings.

The castles of Birkenfels and Landsberg, the Kienberg and Kiosque Jadelot viewpoints.