Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines walks

A lovely circular walk starting from Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, alternating between open landscapes (offering views of the valley, the Taennchel massif and the Grand Brézouard) and beautiful forests; a route dotted with hamlets featuring old, isolated mountain farms.

This outing will take us to an enclave of the Dukes of Lorraine in Alsace, a little-visited valley in the heart of the Vosges forest. This route through mountainous countryside, on well-marked trails, presents no difficulty other than its length and elevation, even in the depths of winter, provided that the snow cover does not hinder progress.

This is a beautiful hike through lovely forests and magnificent meadows, offering superb views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. You will also discover a whole chapter of the history of Alsace-Moselle: the German occupation from 1870 to 1918, as well as the battles of theFirst World War that took place in the Vosges. The hike presents no difficulty other than a few hundred metres with a 15% gradient after the Col de Sainte-Marie.

This is a hike of around twelve kilometres that allows you to see most of the interesting rock formations in the magical setting of the Taennchel. The walk starts at the Club Vosgien chalet at Schelmenkopf, above Ribeauvillé. To get there from Ribeauvillé, take the road to Aubure, then at the hamlet of ‘La Pépinière’, turn off towards La Grande Verrerie. Please note: this route is inaccessible in winter as the path is unpaved.

This short walk around Col de Fouchy will take you through the northern part of the Val d'Argent, passing Col du Petit Haut, Rocher de la Salière, Roche du Cheval Tombé and Col du Rougerain. A full programme of forest paths and trails accessible to all. Not suitable for pushchairs as some paths are too narrow.

One of the most beautiful slopes in the Vosges to climb one of the highest peaks in the Vosges, with, as a reward on a clear day, a view of the Bernese Jura and its trilogy of legendary peaks: the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau, i.e. the Ogre, the Monk and the Virgin. In autumn, when the mist sets in and the days grow shorter, early morning hikers will be impressed by the bellowing of the stags. This route is far from any noise pollution.

Exploring the old mines of the village of Échery and its Clock Tower. Climb to the summit of the Grand Brézouard and enjoy its 360° panorama of the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley and the Vosges ridges.

This 12-kilometre hike will take you to the main rocks of Taennchel and the amazing Source des Corbeaux, starting from the small car park at the bottom of the Grande Verrerie.

Perched on the heights of La Vancelle, a small mountain village, Frankenbourg Castle is one of the must-see ruins in the Sélestat-Haut-Koenigsbourg region. Looking for a moderate hike to explore this remarkable site and enjoy the tranquillity of the trails in the heart of nature? Then this is the one for you! Starting from La Vancelle, whatever the season, this lovely walk will take you to the castle in an hour and a half, allowing you to spot a few points of interest along the way whilst enjoying magnificent views of the Rocher du Coucou, the Val de Villé, the Val d’Argent and the Alsace plain.

A short circular walk providing access to Frankenbourg Castle via the easiest route, starting from La Vancelle. The castle enjoyed a strategic location at the entrance to two valleys: the Val de Villé along the Giessen (the salt road) and the Val d'Argent along the Lièpvrette (the silver mines). The route takes place in the forest and offers beautiful views from the castle courtyard.

This easy circular will take you to the well-preserved Frankenbourg Castle. From there, you can enjoy views of the Alsace plain and the Black Forest in the distance.Further on, along a shaded path, you will see glimpses of the Villé valley and the superb rocks of La Roche des Fées. On the way back, the Rocher du Coucou viewpoint overlooks Frankenbourg Castle, and finally a small viewpoint offers a view of Lièpvre.

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.

Hiking route starting from Thannenkirch to visit the castles of Haut Ribeaupierre, Girsberg and Saint-Ulrich, as well as the monastery of Notre-Dame de Dusenbach.

Discover the Taennchel massif and its impressive sandstone rocks of the Vosges from the picturesque village of Thannenkirch.

A circular hike from Thannenkirch to discover the Taennchel massif, renowned for its positive telluric energy and dotted with numerous remarkable rocks. The route is mainly through forest, offering some beautiful views of the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley to the north, the Colmar plain to the south and east.

This is an unmissable hike in the Villé Valley, which takes you past some unusually shaped rocks (the Cheval Tombé, the Salière and the Roche des Fées) and leads to the Rocher du Coucou with its stunning views of the valley and the Central Alsace plain, as well as the iconic Château du Frankenbourg, which once protected the area.

A beautiful historical hike near the Wisembach National Forest.A reminder of the facts:1871 - Alsace/Moselle are annexed by Germany, which modernises many areas.1914 - The heir to the Austrian throne is assassinated / Germany declares war on Russia, France and Belgium. Soldiers occupy villages and mountains.November 1918: the trenches are filled in, the blockhouses and other structures destroyed, but around a hundred remain visible in the heights of the Val d'Argent.

This circular hike links the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines to Chaume de Lusse, through typical Vosges forests of beech, fir, blueberry and high-altitude meadows. The forest paths and roads offer beautiful panoramic views of the Val d'Argent and Meurthe valleys. This is a fairly dynamic route that leads to Chaume de Lusse via a varied course, including sustained climbs (which is why we rate it as difficult), forest passages and open ridges. Part of the route runs between Alsace and Lorraine on paths and trails marked by the GR®531, the former border from 1871 to 1918, with boundary stones marked D (Deutschland), often hammered, and F, marking the historic border and named "Chemins de la Grande Guerre" (Paths of the Great War).

A short circular walk from the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, offering the chance to explore the remains of theFirst World War (1914–1918), including the German army’s installations below the Tête du Violu front line.

Ascent to the Tête du Violu from the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines via the Carrefour des Biches and the Labyrinth.

This moderately difficult route passes through beautiful, diverse forests with several points of interest. You can rest or eat at the Clausmatt inn, run by the Espoir association.

Loop hike starting from Fouchy, through beautiful pine and deciduous forests. Gradual climb to Col du Petit Haut, alternating between paths and trails. Return via pleasant trails on the slopes of Rougerain and Guichat, with the Rocher de la Salière and the Roche du Cheval Tombé. The walk ends with part of the heritage trail "Une forêt en pays welsche" (A forest in Welsh country) and the viewpoint at the Fouchy reservoir.

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.

Located in the heart of Alsace, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle dominates the entire plain at an altitude of 755 metres. It is impossible to miss this iconic monument, one of the most visited in the region! This landmark is also the starting and finishing point for many hikes. If you prefer short routes, this one is for you. Starting from the Col du Schaentzel, it will take you past several points of interest and allow you to reach the castle in just 1 hour.

A short, shaded hike through a beautiful pine forest, surrounded by ferns and blueberry bushes and above Aubure, to Roche du Tétras.

A pleasant hike above the village of Aubure to discover the Refuge de la Pierre des Trois Bans and enjoy beautiful landscapes over Fréland, Lapoutroie, the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley and Aubure.

This hike starts in the hills above Aubure, offering beautiful views of northern Alsace. When you reach the "Pierre des Trois Bans" chalet, there are a few tables where you can stop for a break. Continuing along the ridge path, you can admire the Sainte Marie-Aux-Mines valley. On the way back, there are beautiful views of the Orbey valley and the mountains to the south of Alsace. On a clear day, if you look carefully, you can see the Grand Ballon, the Petit Ballon and even the Hohneck in the distance.

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

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

This short hike in the hills above Villé takes us from the River Giessen to theGR®532trail along the ridges, with beautiful views of the Champ du Feu massif on one side and the Col de Fouchy on the other the other.

Muttergottesbrennel is a mystical place that could have become famous, but history decided otherwise. On the side of Frankenberg and near Neubois, this hike will take you to castles, forests and fabulous rocks.

A short two-hour walk, starting from the crossroads above the Saint-Alexis inn. You will walk around the Koenigsstuhl and reach the highest point via the easiest route.

A short hike around the three castles of Ribeauvillé, which runs alongside several pleasant little streams and passes by two fountains.

This short hike takes you up to Taennchel from Ribeauvillé via the most direct route. There are two variants that allow you to visit Château Haut Ribeaupierre or the Notre-Dame de Dusenbach monastery along the way. It is only 11 km long, but has an elevation gain of over 600 m. Only suitable for walkers in good physical condition.

Discover the three castles of Ribeauvillé by climbing via Fontaine du Chevreuil. The descent follows theGR®5.

It’s a lovely walk that allows you to see the three castles of Ribeauvillé from a slightly different angle to the traditional route. The GPS track takes the shortest route. To see the three castles, follow the route description. Avoid at all costs during the Christmas market or on Pfifferday. Ribeauvillé has recently become extremely touristy.

This short hike will take you to the amazing Schluesselstein Rock, then to the foot of the Taennchel and finally to the Dusenbach Monastery. Return via the famous Maria Raydt trail.

This is a pleasant hike that will take you through vineyards and woods to the amazing Rocher du Schlüsselstein, then to the foot of the Taennchel and finally to two of the three castles of Ribeauvillé. There are a few climbs, but overall it is an easy route.

A beautiful hike that is not too long but includes a few steep hills. While the old town's heritage is remarkable, the route on the heights of Ribeauvillé is also worth a detour with its three castles and the monastery of Notre-Dame de Dusenbach.

A fairly demanding hike, as there is a long climb right from the start, but one that offers numerous incredible views.You start by climbing up to the three castles via paths through the vineyards, then ascend the Taennechel via its fairly steep south-eastern peak, known as the Rocher de la Paix d’Udine, which also offers a rather striking view over the Alsace plain. Next, we explore the numerous sandstone outcrops dotting the ridge before descending back to Ribeauvillé.

This short walk takes you up to the Dusenbach, avoiding the dangerous road to Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. From the Dusenbach, you can climb up to the Taennchel or the castles.

An easy walk through the Alsace vineyards, with pretty landscapes of vine-covered hills and villages such as Bergheim.

A lovely day trip through woods, mountains, vineyards and Alsatian villages, with visits to Hunawihr and Riquewihr. Magnificent landscapes and superb villages.

Climb up the Three Castles Trail, superb view of the region, visit the ruins of two castles (the third is closed to the public), then walk through the forest to reach the N.D. de Dusenbach monastery, descend via the original Way of the Cross.

This is a long hike that will take you through vineyards and woods to three castles: Reichenstein, Bilstein and Saint-Ulrich. Pass by the magnificent Notre-Dame de Dusenbach monastery.

The Val de Villé tourist office publishes very well-designed hiking maps. Today, we are following trail No. 12, known as the Route de la Honel, which will take you through villages and forests with scenic views and rock formations. This hike is particularly beautiful in spring when the orchards are in bloom and the views are still unobstructed, as the forest canopy has not yet fully formed. The trail is fairly easy.

Stage thirteen, from Ribeauvillé to Le Bonhomme, is very long and involves a significant elevation gain. It marks the hiker’s entry into the Hautes-Vosges and its first major peaks: Hirzberg and Brézouard, via the Lapoutroie valley. With a mountain atmosphere and superb views in store.

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

A lovely little walk covering a variety of paths. A very pretty view awaits you from the Belle-Vue gazebo. This route is ideal for trail runners wishing to explore the Villé Valley on foot.

This route is used for the running events we offer throughout the year. It can easily be done on foot or by running, and is accessible to all. You will take wide forest paths, trails, village streets and a cycle path.

This route is the one I use for a trail running event as part of my work. It’s a loop of just under 8 km that’s fairly straightforward if you run regularly. The advantage of this route is that it can also be done as a family walk. Walking, it takes around 2–2½ hours. This walk will allow you to explore the forest surrounding Villé, which overlooks the villages of Saint-Martin and Maisonsgoutte.

Route updated in April 2026 following the completion of the Châtenois bypassA cycle route alternating between roads and cycle paths in the Villé valley, with some lovely views.Route along a departmental road with moderate traffic (from Villé to Neubois).Forest track to La Vancelle.Separate cycle path to Val de Villé, path at the foot of Ortenbourg Castle.Return to the Villé Valley via the “Route du Sel” cycle path through the forest to Saint-Pierre-Bois.Finish via the cycle path alongside the country road to Villé.

Route allowing you to visit the three castles of Ribeauvillé (Giersberg Castle, Saint-Ulrich Castle and Ribeaupierre Castle) with superb views over the Alsace plain. Then climb and cross the Taennchel Massif with its rocks, its pagan wall and its views of Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.

In spring, there is nothing more pleasant than this circular starting from Fréland and passing through the Col de Chamont. Lovely panoramic views of the Pays Welche, the Fréland and Lapoutroie valleys, the magnificent Mont Kalblin and beautiful forest passages.

Circular hike in the Villé valley, starting from Saint-Martin, going around Breitenbach and returning via Maisonsgoutte. The route is mainly open, winding through meadows, offering some beautiful views of the valley, and ending in the forest.

The start of this walk, suggested by Passion Vosges magazine as part of its ‘gourmet walks’ series, begins at the car park of the Maison du Pays Welche, which is next to the museum restaurant, the gourmet stop on this outing.

A circular hike starting from Ribeauvillé, winding through vineyards and then forest (two-thirds of the route).Discover the listed Schlusselstein rock, then descend towards Langrain to follow the Bergenbach stream to the Witzigfelsen rock and Reichenberg Castle. The return journey takes you through the vineyards on the Way of St James. Hike accessible via Ribeauville-Gare-Routiè station.

A circular walk from Triembach-Au-Val, taking us to the heights of Albé and its vineyards. Superb views of the village of Albé from both sides. Return via Villé and Bassemberg along the Giessen river.

Circular walk starting from Triembach-Au-Val, heading towards Saint-Maurice and climbing the Baerenberg in the forest, then returning via the Saint-Gilles Church, emblematic of the Villé valley, and the village of Saint-Pierre-Bois.

A pleasant circular walk around Villé, passing through Triembach-au-Val, Albé, a village renowned for its Pinot Noir and beautiful winegrowers' houses, Breitenbach and its orchards, Saint-Martin, the beautiful Honcourt forest, and ending along the Giessen in Villé.

A short circular route starting from Triembach-au-Val, taking you to the summit of the Schrann, above Albé, for a beautiful panoramic view. On leaving the village, the route winds through the forest, then passes through the mountain vineyards of Albé, and ends in the beautiful Bachmatten valley.

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 walk starting from Hunawihr, passing by the ruins of Sylo Convent, the Col de Seelacker, the ruins of Reichenstein Castle and the village of Riquewihr.The route is mainly through woodland, enhanced by a visit to the two very typical villages of Hunawihr and Riquewihr. The walk is accessible via Riquewihr Poste station.

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 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.

If you want to go on a beautiful hike starting from the Col des Bagenelles, between the valleys of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines and Kaysersberg, the Petit and Grand Brezouard tour is for you. Here is the Tour des Petit and Grand Brezouard, which offers views of these two valleys, the Alsace plain and, in the distance, the Black Forest. Very well marked by the Club Vosgien, it is suitable for all types of hikers, including children. 20/08/2024: Hike modified to avoid the Grand Brézouard, which has been unmarked to reinforce the quiet zone.

Here is a walk that will allow you to explore the hills of Riquewihr with its castles, the Reichenstein and the Bilstein, as well as the ruins of Sylo Abbey above Hunawihr.You might also take the opportunity to visit the village of Riquewihr and sample its wines.Enjoy your walk.

Beautiful hike in the Val d'Argent, via the Tree of Liberty, to discover the old mines of the village of Échery and its clock tower. Climb to the summit of Grand Brézouard and enjoy a 360° panorama of the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley and the Vosges mountain ranges.

By following Géovino in Riquewihr, you will learn about the fundamental importance of rocks for vines. You will understand why the soils of the southern slopes of the Vosges mountains are so special, but also the relationship between rocks, soils and vines, and even their influence on the aroma of wines!

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.

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 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.

This easy circular route, on small mountain roads and very passable paths, will take you to the heights of Le Bonhomme towards the Col des Bagenelles, offering you beautiful postcard views of the Vosges mountain pastures. Taken in May, this walk can also be done in summer to escape the heatwave in the Alsace plain. The Club Vosgien markings are provided for information purposes only, as they may change over time.

A hike that circles the Grand Brézouard, one of the peaks over 1,200 m located furthest north in the Vosges massif. A fairly demanding route with the main ascent taking place right from the start. Varied terrain and landscapes (woodland, rocky ridge, high-altitude meadows).Please note: at (6) => The quiet zone, in force from 1 December to 1 July, is primarily aimed at preserving habitats favourable to the wildlife of old-growth forests. Furthermore, conditions of silence and tranquillity must be strictly maintained, particularly during the winter and breeding seasons. (INPN - ZNIEFF). 20/08/2024: Route modified to avoid the Grand Brézouard, which has been cleared of signposts to reinforce the quiet zone.

A very beautiful circular hike from Le Bonhomme, which is not too busy. We were lucky enough to pass through areas filled with flowering foxgloves... magnificent.A varied route through forests and pastures.

A circular hike starting from Le Bonhomme. It takes us through the forest to Lac Blanc. The return journey crosses a small section of the battlefields of theFirst World War. There are numerous military structures, as well as a national necropolis and a German military cemetery. An important place of remembrance in the history of the Alsace region.

This circular hike starts in the village of Le Bonhomme and follows the "Circuit de la Grande Guerre sur le massif de la Tête des Faux" (Great War Trail on the Tête des Faux massif), which was a fierce battlefield between 1914 and 1915. Here you will find remnants of the 1914-18 war, two imposing cemeteries, as well as fortifications and technical installations erected by the Germans. The Étang du Devin and its bucolic setting offer a place to rest.

This hike will take you from Le Bonhomme to the 1914-1918 battlefields of Tête des Faux, then to the three passes of Calvaire, Louschbach and Bonhomme. Along the way, depending on the season, you can enjoy the abundance of blueberry bushes along the path.

A lovely snowshoe walk in a place steeped in legends and the history of the 1914-1918 war.