Rothau walks

Let's follow the route that prisoners took in all weathers from Rothau station to the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp. They were not equipped with hiking boots or sticks to climb this mountain.

Route with beautiful views of the Bruche valley and the Trapp quarry (Wisches), which revisits the darkest history of our time, from Schirmeck to Struthof.

Encounter the Mennonites in the Salm region. This community originated from Anabaptists who fled the Zurich region of Switzerland where they were persecuted. Many of them emigrated to the United States and created the Amish movement. Information panels are located along the route.

This balcony trail offers a pleasant walk to discover the trees and plants of the local flora overlooking the village of Natzwiller and offers beautiful views of the picturesque landscape of the Rothaine valley. A variant along the way gives you the option of a round trip to a important memorial site.

Loop connecting the various villages in the Chirgoutte valley, which were part of the former seigneury of Ban de la Roche. Circuit on the western slope of the Champ du Feu, alternating between forest, pastures and gorse heathland. Beautiful views of the Donon and Climont mountains.

This hike will take you through Ban-de-la-Roche, a place dear to Pastor Jean-Frédéric Oberlin, who served there for 60 years. The route will take you through magnificent landscapes, past a little-known castle (or what remains of it) and to the highest point in the Bas-Rhin.It is a fairly long hike with a significant elevation gain, classified as difficult, which I completed in about 7 hours of walking.

A beautiful walk with many breathtaking views of the Bruche Valley, the Donon, the Alsace plain and the Struthof memorial. A simple route in terms of length and elevation, with a mix of forest roads and woodland paths.

Hike to the Champ du Feu by climbing up the Serva

This first stage is probably the hardest day of the route. Beautiful views, pleasant trails and few forest roads. A steep climb at the end of the day explains the "Difficult" rating.

Three days of hiking and camping around the Val de Senones, passing by beautiful viewpoints. Campsites at the Tête du Coquin and the Haute Loge.

This hike follows part of the Sentier des Passeurs trail. It offers beautiful views of Haute Loge and the Hautes Chaumes, as well as picturesque surroundings around Lake Maix. This route is not difficult, except for its length.

With its 38 inhabitants, Blancherupt is the smallest commune in Alsace and has a charm all of its own. Discover this little corner of paradise.

A hike through stubble fields and forests, with superb scenery. Departure from Belmont, with the option of refreshments at Col de la Charbonnière

There is a proverb that says that everything small is cute. And it's true. With its 38 inhabitants, Blancherupt is the smallest municipality in Alsace and has a charm all of its own. In the 1990s, an award-winning advertising campaign described the commune as "In Blancherupt, there is nothing... nothing but the essentials", an invitation to discover this little corner of paradise without further delay.

This hike leads to the Chatte Pendue viewpoint and the summit of Hautes Loges, which offer a breathtaking 360° view of the neighbouring peaks: Donon, Rocher de Mutzig, Massif du Champ du Feu and Col du Hantz. The only difficulty is the climb to La Chatte Pendue. So start slowly.

A circular walk mainly through forest. Starting from the enchanting setting of the Étang du Coucou, you will discover the ruins of the Château de Salm, currently undergoing restoration. You will then climb up to the promontory of the Chatte Pendue with its orientation table, make a short stop at the Monument des Passeurs, and then follow a slightly wilder path to the Tourbière de la Maxe. July 2022 modification of the route between (8) and (9) due to poor trail maintenance: temporarily leave the blue cross markings in place.

Mainly on shaded paths through the woods, this hike offers various points of interest, including the pretty Étang du Coucou lake surrounded by fir trees, the Chatte Pendue with its magnificent view of the Bruche valley and the Champs du Feu massif, and the Romanesque ruins of Salm Castle.

Bellefosse, known as Béfoss in the local dialect, was part of the former seigneury of Ban de la Roche. This hike will take you to the heights of Bellefosse to explore the ruins of the Château de la Roche, known as "zum Stein" or "Steinschloss", then across the peaks to discover the former seigneurial farmstead of Lachamp. Finally, you will have the opportunity to eat at two farmhouse inns, Ban de la Roche or Promont.

An easy hike to Champ du Feu, the highest peak in the Bas-Rhin at 1,099 metres above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Pass by the tower, yurts and stunning viewpoints over Climont and then the Val de Villé.

A short hike with steep climbs, taking you to the Serva Waterfall, directly from the Champ du Feu. The trail runs alongside this pretty waterfall, which originates in the high pastures of the Champ du Feu, at an altitude of 1,000 metres. It then joins the Rothaine, a stream crossing the valley of the same name, 350 metres below, through the forest, until it reaches the Bruche.

A walk from Champ du Feu to the Andlau Waterfall (also known as the Hohwald Waterfall) via Chaume des Veaux, with views of the Ungersberg, Val de Villé and Haut-Koenigsbourg

From the Col de Prayé to the Lac de la Maix via La Corbeille, walk along the peaks to discover some interesting sights: cup-marked stones, remains from the First World War, views of Alsace and Donon. 16/09/2024: Starting point changed. The access road and car park at Lac de la Maix are inaccessible for an indefinite period.

Circuit passing through the peaks of Grand and Petit Donon, using the marked trails of the Club Vosgiens and theGR®5. Forestry work is taking place for one month until May 2024 between (10) and (11).

This hike is not particularly difficult and offers magnificent views of the valleys and the Donon. It combines a forest path with a balcony view and a forest crossing.

A short hike up one of the most famous peaks in the Vosges du Nord, famous for its Gallo-Roman remains and from where you can enjoy a wide panorama. The ascent is more gradual and less busy than the descent.

This is a legendary site, as rich in history as it is in legends. A magnificent place where you can let your body and mind wander. The Donon massif is a unique site, steeped in mystery, whose role as a link between the Rhine plain and the Lorraine plateau has been steadily growing since prehistoric times.

This circular loop, which runs mostly through the woods, offers a pleasant variety of points of interest. Villages and landscapes, nature and habitat, crafts, history and places of worship (ornate chapels, sandstone crosses) all contribute to the appeal of this still little-known region of Alsace.

A hike along the Donon fortified positions trail. From September 1914, the Vosges front stabilised on the ridges and the Donon became a defensive position of prime importance. In 1915, the Germans embarked on a colossal construction project.

An easy walk to the hamlet of Stampoumont through a beautiful forest, then beautiful views of the pastures, the Donon and the Climont, not to mention the pretty chapel of Stampoumont with its minimalist stained glass windows. A calm and peaceful walk.

Walk at 1,000 metres in the forests around Rothlach. Curiosities, places of remembrance and breathtaking views make this hike a successful outing.

A beautiful hike with magnificent views of the Bruche Valley, the Langenberg, the Donon and the Champs du Feu. A circuit encompassing magical places such as the Jardin des Fées (Fairy Garden) and the Porte de Pierre (Stone Gate), with its highest point at 1,008 metres, the Rocher de Mutzig. The signposting is a little sparse in places, so the IGN 3716ET map is essential.

Hike through no man's land to an altitude of over 1,000 metres from Lutzelhouse in the Schirmeck valley.

This hike is not technically difficult but is very long and requires good stamina. There are several beautiful viewpoints and sites along the way.

A very pretty hike on the western side of the Bruche Valley. The Mutzig Rock, rising to 1,010 metres, offers remarkable views of the valley and the surrounding mountains, such as the Donon, the Schneeberg and the Champ du Feu. The Porte de Pierre is a natural monument of pink sandstone sculpted by erosion. It is an astonishing discovery, this block perched there as if it came from nowhere, plunging you into a half-dream.

A beautiful walk through the forest and meadows, taking you from a small village to the old castle of La Roche with a splendid view of the valley. The first hill you see is the Col de la Perheux. Behind this pass, you will see the Donon. Along the way, you will have several views of the Climont.

Starting from Lutzelhouse; beautiful hike with several viewpoints over the Bruche Valley and the Alsace plain. Best done in spring/summer/autumn. In winter, you will need snowshoes for the higher ground.

A pleasant short hike with varied landscapes that will introduce you to the Champ du Feu.

Starting from the village hall in Muhlbach-sur-Bruche, this circular hike follows the Muhlbach stream, climbing towards the Falkenstein peak near Grendelbruch. With several viewpoints and the gentle sound of running water, this is an ideal hike for discovering or rediscovering the Bruche Valley.

Hike that goes around Grendelbruch on its southern side. Passes through several mountain passes and offers magnificent views at Schelmeck and Falkenstein peak. A little bit of tarmac at the start (crossing Grendelbruch) then a mix of forest paths, trails through woods and meadows.

A lovely, easy walk with many breathtaking views of the Bruche Valley, the Donon, the Wisches quarry, the Alsace plain and the Château du Guirabden. This is a simple circuit in terms of length and elevation, with a mix of forest paths and trails through either forest or pastureland.

A very beautiful hike featuring two magnificent waterfalls (Andlau and Serva) and passing through Champ du Feu and Chaume des Veaux.The hike is accessible in all seasons. Most of it is in the forest, except for the section at the top of Champ du Feu. Magnificent in autumn and winter.I have rated the difficulty as "difficult" due to the elevation gain, but the hike does not present any technical difficulties.

From the mountain village of Grendelbruch, this loop, mainly located south of this village of 1,250 inhabitants, sets off to explore the Piton du Falkenstein, a magnificent rocky outcrop offering a beautiful view of the Bruche Valley. This hike continues via the Col du Bruchberg, the climb through the stubble fields to the Signal de Grendelbruch and its 360° view, then follows the climb to Hohbuhl through the forest. Next, pleasant trails take you to the Col du Beyerlager and then to the Col de la Franzur. You will make some magnificent discoveries, alternating between village streets, forest, undergrowth, thatched roofs, forest roads and pretty little trails. And there are plenty of viewpoints!

This hike, which takes place entirely in the woods, offers magnificent views of Urmatt, Niederhaslach, Oberhaslach, Grendelbruch, Luzelhouse, as well as the Langenberg, Rocher de Mutzig and Donon peaks.

Beautiful snowshoe trek beneath the Champ du Feu from the Col du Kreuzweg. Pass through the Pelage site, a paragliding centre offering a superb view, then through the Chaume des Beaux, a beautiful open space in which to enjoy the sun. Some "off-track" sections for the sake of fun in the snow but with the option to stay on the marked trails for those who want it.

A beautiful hike passing through the pass and the Charbonnière inn, where you can recharge your batteries with some good food, before reaching the highest point of the Champ du Feu. On the way back, you will pass by the paragliding launch site with a magnificent view of the Villé valley.

Large circular above Le Hohwald: Neuntelstein Rock, Col de la Rotlach, Champ du Feu, Chaume des Veaux, Col du Kreutzweg, Grande Bellevue, the footbath, etc. Classified as difficult due to its length, mainly shaded and ideal for hot weather. Numerous viewpoints and pleasant forest passages.

In a beautiful forest setting, you will cross numerous streams and arrive at the waterfall formed by the Andlau river in the middle of the rocks. A short hike with moderate slopes and a pretty destination, ideal for young children or occasional walkers.

Climont is a curious conical massif that you will approach from the south. The climb is steep, but the view from the top of the Julius Tower, at an altitude of over 960 metres, is well worth the effort.  21/04/2025: Five years after its first publication, I revisited this route to check that the description still corresponds to the terrain. I took the opportunity to clarify certain passages and add a few waypoints. The descent is quite technical and difficult, and it is best to avoid it in rainy weather, or to hike in the opposite direction. Enjoy your outing, everyone.

This hike will take you from Hohwald to Champ du Feu and Col de la Charbonnière. There are beautiful views of the Vosges from Crête des Myrtilles.

A beautiful hike through the Vosges forests, on the border of three departments (Bas-Rhin, Moselle and Meurthe-et-Moselle). Pass along the Roman road and the former border from 1871 to 1918, then on to Grand Rougimont (622m), the highest point in Meurthe-et-Moselle. Descend to the ruins of Moises and return along the Saussenrupt stream via the Trou Marmot.

This is an easy walk through the woods from Molsheim to Urmatt. The main attractions are the Rosinel Felse rock and the Soultzbach waterfall.

A beautiful hike with stunning views of all the surrounding valleys: the Bruche Valley, Donon, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, Val de Villé, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Haut-Koenigsbourg, etc. It is quite difficult due to its length, elevation gain and rough terrain (narrow paths on the edge of the void or muddy forest paths).

This walk is one of seven heritage trails created by the Vallée de Villé. By following these routes, you will discover the secrets of the villages' heritage as well as the most beautiful places and viewpoints in the Vallée de Villé. The Albé heritage trail takes you through the most picturesque village in the valley and its vineyards, where you will discover several interesting sights in the commune.

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

This is a pleasant and easy forest route that does not require a high level of fitness, as most of the route is on forest roads.Please follow the practical information regarding the markings.