Cascade du Nideck (Nideck Waterfall) walks

Nideck Waterfall, Ruins of Nideck Castle, Schneeberg, Ruins of Petit Ringelsberg, Ruins of Grand Rengelsberg.

Le Nideck is well known and quite popular. This circuit takes you past several points of interest and has a few pleasant surprises in store. It has the advantage of passing through some uncrowded areas and along a slightly exposed path with beautiful views. The hike does not include the bottom of the waterfall, which can however be easily reached by adding a 50m climb.

This route allows you to discover the iconic Nideck Waterfall and two streams: the Luttenbach and the Weinbaechel. All three flow into the Hasel stream, which gave its name to this valley. During this walk along the water, you will also pass close to the Hirschfels Rock and the ruins of the Nideck and Hohenstein castles.

A classic hike in the Bas-Rhin region. There are dozens of marked trails in the area, but I opted for a (very) cool late winter version. It's an easy hike that's accessible for families. Be careful on the steps leading up to the ruins of the Nideck Castles, which offer a magnificent view at an altitude of just under 500 metres. The steps are narrow, but you don't have to climb them to enjoy the view. Children may prefer to stay at the foot of the castle to admire the surroundings. Then there's the waterfall, which is very pretty at the end of winter when the flow is stronger.

A lovely hike in the forest around the Ringelsberg and Nideck castles, passing by the monumental Vosges sandstone sculptures on the Sandweg and the beautiful Nideck waterfall. Several beautiful views of the region from Hohenstein, Haut Nideck and Hirschfels Rock.

This hike will take you to a fantastic viewpoint over the steep valley where the Nideck waterfall is nestled (Hirschfels viewpoint). The rest of the hike takes you a little higher up to the Schneeberg, one of the highest peaks in the Northern Vosges, which rises to 961 metres. The return journey takes you back to the Nideck waterfall, which will provide a welcome cool respite after climbing 700 metres!

This hike first climbs to the Wilberg Pass along the Grand Weinbaechel. We then cross to the other side of the Hasel valley to climb up to the iconic Nideck waterfall, nestled in its wild and wooded setting, passing the Hirschfels promontory. Next, we discover the unusual elliptical enclosure of Petit Ringelsberg and the ruins of Hohenstein Castle.

Landscapes of the Northern Vosges, combining unspoilt nature, medieval ruins and forgotten legends. Passing by Hohenstein Castle and its belvedere, the hike crosses the Petit Ringeslberg and offers a return trip to the Rocher du Pfaffenlapp, a spectacular rock formation. Then head for the Kasperlehepp Pond, nestled in a small clearing, a peaceful body of water surrounded by reeds and ferns. Continuing the climb, you reach the ruins of Nideck Castle, perched on a rocky promontory. Further on, below, a path accessible by steps allows you to approach the Nideck Waterfall, some twenty metres high, which cascades down a basalt wall, forming a circular loop rich in discoveries. Legend has it that a young giantess, while walking here, discovered a tiny man in a field. Intrigued, she took him back to her father, giving rise to the legend of the Giants of Nideck, immortalised by the Brothers Grimm.

This hike starting from the valley takes you to discover one of the most iconic sites in the Vosges sandstone mountains, between the spectacular waterfall and the medieval ruins of Nideck. A condensed history and raw nature for a total immersion.