Philippsbourg walks

A pleasant forest trail that leads without much effort to the highest point in the Northern Vosges, where a tower built at the end of the 19th century offers extensive panoramic views. Less popular, the Celtic camp site is not without charm.

A superb hike through the forest, mainly starting from the Étang de Hanau, passing by the Étang de Lieschbach, Falkenstein Castle, Waldeck Castle and the peat bogs.

Magnificent hike on the forest paths around Hanau Pond. Visit the ruins of Falkenstein, Rothenburg and Waldeck Castles, passing by the splendid sandstone arch of Erbsenfelsen.

Ramstein Castle dates back to the 13th century. It stands on a rocky sandstone outcrop. At the summit, there is a panoramic view of Baerenthal and its valley. The two lakes, Ramstein and Baerenthal, are full of charm and make an ideal spot for a refreshing break.

A very beautiful and pleasant walk in warm weather as it is mostly shaded. Discover Ramstein Castle, Baerenthal Pond and the lake where the more motivated can take a dip at the end of the walk!

Ascent of the Grand Wintersberg, the highest point in the Northern Vosges, via a steep path. Return via a different, equally narrow path. Take care in wet weather or when the paths are snow-covered.

A very beautiful, challenging hike that takes us from the Source du Lichteneck to the ruins of Wasenbourg Castle and on to the Grand Wintersberg, passing through the hamlet of Breitenwasen. The climb up to Wintersberg is steep and requires good stamina. Walking poles will prove particularly useful here. For the more motivated, this route is perfect for a trail running training session as it combines ascents, descents and technical sections.

Circular hike starting from the Celtic spring with ascent of the Grand Wintersberg, 581 m, the highest point in the Northern Vosges, and return via the Col de la Liese chalet (belonging to the Club Vosgien) and the Heidenkopf shelter.

A lovely forest walk in the hills above Niederbronn-les-Bains, taking in the Reisberg hill, the archaeological and historical sites of Wasenbourg, the Charles Mathis discovery trail, and continuing along theGR® 53 to the ruined castle of Grand Arnsbourg. The return route takes you over the Schlangenthal Pass, alongside the Falkensteinbach stream and past the Notre-Dame du Wasenberg Chapel.

Hike in the forest of Niederbronn-les-Bains to discover Wasenbourg Castle and then the Col de l'Ungerthal.

Hike between a semi-troglodytic castle and the highest point in the Northern Vosges.

The castles of Hanau - The Erbsenfels arch.

Circular in the forest on the heights of Oberbronn and Zinswiller. Passing through Immenkopf, Ungerthal, Grunschaft, Michelskopf and Linsenthal Pond from the Sonnenberg area.

This hike in the Northern Vosges will allow you to discover five castles which, although less well known than Fleckenstein, are just as worthy of a visit! Much of the walk takes place on small forest paths, making it very pleasant in hot weather.

A fairly long hike, as some people like, with no significant elevation gain. It is nice in spring because the vegetation still lets the first rays of sunshine through, but it is accessible in all seasons and has a well-placed shelter for a dry lunch.There are no difficulties on the route except for the length!

Northern Alsace is renowned for its castles. This route allows you to explore five of them: Nouveau and Vieux Windstein, Wittschloessel, Wineck and Schoeneck. A detour also allows you to see the ‘Man’s Rock’ and ‘Woman’s Rock’, as well as a magnificent view over Dambach and Neunhoffen. This is a walk that constantly alternates between ascents and descents through the forest, some easier than others. Only the section towards Dambach is flat.

The village of Windstein, nestled in a valley in the Northern Vosges, is the ideal starting point for visiting the many ruined castles in the surrounding area. The hike takes in the two castles of Wittschloessel and Wineck. It is possible to add Schoeneck Castle by temporarily deviating from the route.

A pleasant walk that mainly follows wide forest tracks. The paths present no major difficulty, apart from the access to the Windstein ruins. You will pass, in particular, the magnificent ruins of the Jaegerthal Forge, the birthplace of the De Dietrich factory, which was founded on 5 April 1685.

A pleasant, easy walk, mainly along wide forest paths, offering the chance to discover the Jaegerthal Forges, the castles of Nouveau and Vieux Windstein, and a few blockhouses.

This is a large circular hike starting from Jaegerthal, the birthplace of the De Dietrich family, with its castle, park and the remains of the first forge near the car park. It is a long but peaceful hike, with a succession of small "bumps" and dotted with numerous fortified castles and remarkable rocks. The first part follows the "Sentier de la Ligne Maginot" (Maginot Line Trail) with a succession of bunkers in a surprisingly good state of preservation.

A pleasant little hike in the Mouterhouse National Forest and along the banks of the Grand Étang lake in the same locality. After enjoying the calm of the forest with its beautiful straight trees and good quality paths, the end of the hike takes place along the Grand Étang lake, where you can admire the spectacle of numerous fishermen on their pontoons.

Starting from the quiet little hamlet of Bremendell, this easy walk takes you through the forests of the Bitche region, taking in several notable sites, including the village of Sturzelbronn and its abbey, as well as the Luchsfelsen.

The trail marked with the "Premiumweg" label is a meeting point between Alsace and the Palatinate, between The Northern Vosges and the Wasgau: two of the most beautiful natural sites in Europe thanks to their landscape of endless forests, pink sandstone rocks rising towards the sky and remarkable castle ruins. This 33 km trail was originally divided into two circular loops. Here is the second part, covering 16 km.

This trail takes you to rocks and castles with magnificent, unobstructed views of the valley and Obersteinbach. You can visit the Bohemian Rock or "Tziganes", Wasigenstein Castle, Petit Arnsberg Castle and Wachtfels Rock with its breathtaking view. There is a short stretch of tarmac at the start and end of the hike. This is a fairly easy hike, but I have rated it as moderately difficult due to its length.

A pleasant hike of moderate difficulty, culminating in the magnificent Lichtenberg Castle. You will walk mainly on paths and through a deciduous forest, enjoying the early spring sunshine but staying in the shade in summer.

A pleasant hike to stretch your legs. Ideal in early May when nature is waking up. Passes by an impressive rocky outcrop (beautiful view) and caves. Most of the walk is in the shade and the hike follows a river on the last part of the route. Also pleasant in the height of summer. (updated May 2020)