Hike around Fort Mutzig

Park in Molsheim; there are often spaces available on Rue Ettore Bugatti or in the neighbouring streets. The route starts near the intersection of Rue Ettore Bugatti and Route de Mutzig.

(S/E) Take the Chemin Leimenweg uphill, marked with a blue easel. At the top, pass under the water tank and take the tarmac path on the left at its start. The trail is still marked with a blue easel.
Pass in front of a farm garage to reach a crossroads.

(1) Take the uphill path on the right, then after about 50 metres turn left (same signposting). The slope is now less steep. This path continues for a good while through the vineyard. There are a few benches where you can rest and admire the view down to Molsheim and then Mutzig. Pass a few houses until you reach a cross on the right-hand side.

(2) Continue up the path on the right until you reach the next fork near a small meadow.

(3) Take the path on the left towards the Refuge des Amis de la Marine. After about 150 m, you will reach an intersection near a menhir.

(4) This is the starting point of a small circular loop. Turn right towards the Felsburg crossroads, then turn left towards the Refuge des Amis de la Marine.

(5) Walk past the building and head back towards the menhir. Just before you reach it, leave the path and walk about 100 metres to the left to approach a pond.

(6) Return to the path and complete the circular loop towards the menhir.

(4) Take the forest path north towards Fort de Mutzig. The trail is now marked with blue discs and green rings. Keep going in this direction until you reach the paved country road shortly after leaving the forest.

(7) This is a local service road with little traffic, but caution is still advised. Beautiful panoramic views on the left.
Turn left and continue to the next crossroads. Turn right, follow the road and pass a cross on your left.

(8) At the end of this long road, you will finally reach the village of Dangolsheim. After the first houses, you will come to a stop sign before a five-way intersection.

(9) Take the uphill path on the right. This path, which is paved at the beginning, turns left after a hundred metres. The markings are Anneau Bleu Disque Rouge (Blue Ring Red Disc). At the next fork, keep left and continue to a four-way intersection.

(10) Take the steeply ascending path on the right, which passes in front of a reservoir. Continue climbing on the left (Blue Ring). The path passes in front of a small orientation table. Continue straight ahead uphill to the first remnant of the war: a German observation post.

(11) With your back to the relic, take the first path on the right to a large infantry shelter that you can enter.

(12) Retrace your steps to the previous intersection.

(11) Turn right. The path quickly passes in front of a bunker that cannot be visited and runs along the forest on the left. Immediately after the "dead end" sign, take a shortcut to the right to climb up a short path through the woods to the ammunition shelter, which you can also enter.

(13) Continue along the Sentier des Casemates for a while until you reach a staircase. Green Cross markings.

(14) Go down and walk along the military grounds to a fountain where there is a table and benches for a short rest or picnic.

(15) Climb back up opposite on the grassy track that turns left into the forest. The path winds gently through the forest and emerges onto a small meadow with shrubs.

(16) At the first conifer, turn left towards the north. The grassy path now passes between several conifers and other shrubs. After passing an information sign, don't miss the path that branches off to the right. It is marked with a red disc.

(17) Continue straight ahead on this grassy path towards the east until you reach the highest point of Jesselsberg. Note the Molsheim industrial zone in the distance and the Black Forest beyond.
Continue downhill in this direction between vineyards and other crops, usually corn. After a bench on your right, you will reach the Finkenhof crossroads.

(18) Continue downhill towards the first houses of Molsheim via Rue des Promenades, which joins Rue Ettore Bugatti.

(19) Turn right and return to the car park (S/E).

Depending on the weather in the preceding days, some paths may be muddy, so it is advisable to wear sturdy footwear.

The Fort de Mutzig is accessible by car; enquire about visiting.

The casemate trail starts from Soultz-les-Bains and takes you to see other ruins besides those on this hike.