Saales walks

Set in the centre of a two-kilometre-long plateau, surrounded by mountains, the village of Saâles was built on the Via Salinaria at a convenient crossing point over the Vosges. The village has maintained its role as a market town throughout history. As early as 1743, it was granted the privilege of holding a fair and a market. In 1924, the rebuilt town hall housed the market halls on its ground floor.

Climont rises to an altitude of 965 metres. The Julius Tower stands atop its summit, offering a 360-degree view of Alsace and the Black Forest. This walk takes you to the summit starting from Saales. Half of the walk is on flat ground. A further quarter is uphill, and another quarter is downhill. The climbs aren’t very long, but they are quite steep, technical and stony. Most of the walk takes place in the forest. The return route takes you past the Voyemont and the Roche des Fées, offering views of the Bruche Valley and the Bas-Rhin on one side, and the Vosges department on the other.

This walk winds through a haven of peace and tranquillity towards one of the legendary peaks of the Bruche Valley. Surrounded by green, wooded landscapes, Le Climont is the region's water tower. Three rivers originate in its vicinity: the Bruche, Giessen and Fave. This spot is marked by a stele created by sculptor Raymond Keller from a block of sandstone donated by the Champenay quarry.

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).

A lovely walk in the Bruche Valley, with the climb up to Climont offering magnificent scenery. The ascent between (2) and (3) follows a footpath and is a bit of a challenge but well worth the effort. The descent is more gradual and follows a forest track.

This walk winds through a haven of peace and tranquillity at the foot of one of the valley's legendary peaks: Climont (966 m). The Bruche river rises at an altitude of 660 m and then crosses a vast basin: the Hang clearing. This is where families of glassmakers settled in 1723. Le Hang continued to prosper thanks to the arrival of Mennonite farmers of Swiss origin. They found here a place conducive to their pastoral and community life.

A walk offering a close-up view of the wind turbines at Bois de Belfays. In this longer version, you reach the wind farm via Pré Leroy (La Grande Fosse) and return via Pré Lannequin (Châtas).

A pleasant walk around Saulxures, much of it in the shade. Beautiful views along the route.

A mix of magnificent cow pastures and beautiful coniferous forests with stunning views. A preserved valley with a few farms and the odd holiday home, at the foot of one of the valley’s legendary peaks, the Climont (966 m). A haven of peace – picture-postcard perfect!The route is suitable for beginner hikers, though the climb to the Refuge du Hang and on to the Belvédère de la Roche des Fées may seem challenging for those less accustomed to hiking and requires a reasonable level of fitness.

This walk is primarily intended for families with young children or pushchairs. This circular is not difficult but offers truly magnificent scenery and atmosphere. You can ask for more information at the Villé Tourist Office.

Snowshoeing towards Climont – 965m – (Vosges Mountains).

This walk is a round trip taking you to the ruins of Bilstein Castle.

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

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.

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.

The Fontenelle National War Memorial is a major site commemorating the Vosges Front during the First World War. This route passes through hamlets that no longer exist, of which only a sign remains today to indicate their former existence.

Following the course of the Haut Bois stream, set off to explore the hills above the village of Ranrupt, where you’ll enjoy unobstructed views over the Climontaine valley. On your way, stop off at the Hauts-Bois farm inn to sample some local cuisine.

Explore the trails above the village of Ranrupt and discover the hamlet of Fonrupt, a haven of tranquillity. Along the way, treat your taste buds to authentic local produce while enjoying splendid views of the Climontaine and Chiregoutte valleys.

A circular walk starting from Ranrupt, taking us towards Stampoumont as far as Colroy-la-Roche, returning via Fonrupt. A route alternating between open countryside and woodland, with two viewpoints overlooking the villages. The first half is fairly gentle, the second half a little more challenging, with the Climont massif in view.

The walk takes you through the Fontenelle site and its surroundings, which were the scene of fighting during the First World War.

At the Col du Hantz, we cross into Lorraine; then, after a fairly long stretch along a quiet road, we follow a stream along an impressive medieval cobbled path, adorned with installations by ‘art student’ from the University of Nancy; a little further up, the tranquillity of a secluded peat bog is disturbed only by birdsong. The Chemin des Passeurs then takes us to La Haute-Loge and La Chatte Pendue. A journey for lovers of nature and history.

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 Steige, this hike will take you to the summit of Climont to discover the Julius Tower and several magnificent viewpoints over the Villé Valley, as well as the Bruche Valley and the Vosges. This hike is difficult and includes sections with very steep climbs and technical passages. You will need to be in good physical condition and carry a small backpack.

Circular starting from Urbeis in the Villé valley, following the heritage trail on the theme of the mining past, then passing by the ruins of Bilstein Castle, the village of Climont and the Col d'Urbeis.

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.

A fun hiking trail where around forty very diverse works produced during previous biennials remain in place. From the start, the ascent runs alongside the Grand Goutte stream and leads to stubble fields halfway along the route, offering a 360° view of breathtaking horizons. We reach the highest point at an altitude of 933 metres. The descent is just as interesting, with many surprises along the way.

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.

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.

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.

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 superb walk in the heart of the Vosges mountains is, in itself, an open-air history book. From Foudray, the route climbs towards Solbach and the legendary Col de la Perheux, reaching the green landscapes around Belmont before descending towards Waldersbach and then Foudray. Its church, with its 13th-century Romanesque bell tower, is now a temple, beside which lies the tomb of Pastor Oberlin.

From Moussey (Vosges), a circular hike that passes through the Rouges Terres to climb the Hautes Chaumes and then the Haute Loge: 360° view. Return to the starting point via the Sentier des Passeurs. This section of the historic trail is the Vosges part, with the French part starting at the Maison Forestière de Salm in Alsace. From 1940 onwards, this trail was used by smugglers to guide escapees, those refusing to participate in the STO (compulsory labour service) and all kinds of people who wanted to flee Nazi barbarism to free France. Most of the elevation gain is concentrated in the first part of the hike, up to Haute Loge.

Thefirst part of the walk is mainly in the shade and not particularly difficult, apart from the fairly steep climb after Grand Rombach. Best done in hot weather to make the most of the shade. Please note that there is tarmac at the start and end of the walk.

A circular loop starting from Wildersbach, leading gently up to the ridge-side paths and the Col de la Perheux. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (a few minor challenges)