Œil de la Sorcière (Witch's Eye) from Bitschwiller

There is a car park just east of the bridge, on the other side of the Thur from Bitschwiller. If there are no spaces available, you can walk up Rue de la Carrière along the Thur towards the north and park 500 m further up in a car park opposite the quarry (where you may be able to spot some chamois).

(S/E) Head east along Rue des Vignes, which climbs up to the forest.

(1) Turn left at the bend in the track and climb gradually at first, then more steeply towards the end, to a viewpoint.

(2) Two picnic tables and a bench allow you to rest after the climb, with a beautiful view of the Thur valley and the Thanner Hubel. Continue along the path that branches off to the left and reach a crossroads.

(3) When you reach the forest road, turn left onto the path, then immediately right above the hairpin bend, leaving a staircase leading up to a hunting cabin on your left. Follow the red triangle markings.

(4) Here, there are a few rocky passages that may pose some difficulties. Take care not to misstep when crossing the scree via the well-maintained path. Reach Place des Canaris, very close to the Grumbachkopf summit.

(5) You can descend to see the Berthold monument, or take the path directly, leaving the memorial on your right, to La Roche Albert, which offers a beautiful view of the Thur valley.

(6) Turn left onto the path that descends to the forest road, which you follow straight ahead to the Col du Grumbach (red-white-red rectangle markings).

(7) At the Col du Grumbach, leave the red-white-red rectangle markings and rejoin the GR®5, heading south.

(8) Take a shortcut to go around Rosenbourg on its south-east side and turn left onto the Blue Ring marked trail.

(9) Be careful here: turn left onto the small path, following the sign for Engelbourg, and head for the ruins of Engelbourg, a site known as the Witch's Eye.

(10) After exploring the ruins, cross them and descend through the old castle gardens and the staircase leading to Thann.

(11) Be careful here to continue straight ahead, leaving the old path on your right (even if it seems quicker, it is almost impassable and access from below is prohibited for good reasons). Then follow Rue Marsilly.

(12) At the bridge, follow the street along the houses built on the mountainside, where some remarkable rocks protrude from the foot of the walls.

(13) Continue straight ahead towards the cycle path, after admiring the beautifully decorated house opposite the footbridge (decorated according to the season, from garden gnomes to Father Christmas). The rest of the route follows this tarmac cycle path along the river.

(14) Pass thepicnic tables and easy access to the river for a refreshing dip. Continue along the cycle path, past the abandoned industrial buildings, then the Bitschwiller industrial estate, and return to the car park (S/E).

There are plenty of places to picnic at the various viewpoints.
You can take a short detour to Thann town centre to admire the collegiate church or relax with your feet in the Thur river.