Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines walks

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.

This is a 12-kilometre hike that takes you to most of the interesting rocks in the magical Taennchel area. Start from 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 towards Grande Verrerie. Please note that this is inaccessible in winter as the road is unpaved. Addendum dated 17 June 2025: storms have badly damaged the unpaved road from the bottom of the Grande Verrerie to Schelmenkopf. It is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles or those that can handle rough terrain.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

A short walk from the village of Lapoutroie, climbing up to see the Tour du Faudé via the Roche du Chat Noir. From a height of 16.50 metres, the tower reappears at the top of the Faudé. It was inaugurated on 15 August 2002, offering visitors the opportunity to take in the superb landscapes of the Welche region and the surrounding area. To round off your day, you can visit the Haxaire cheese dairy, where Munster cheese is made.

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 loop will take you to the well-preserved Frankenbourg castle. From the top, you will enjoy views of the Alsace plain and the Black Forest in the distance. Further on, along a shaded path, you will see openings towards the Villé valley and then the superb rocks of the 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.

While the heritage of Ribeauvillé's old town is remarkable, this circular walk has a few bumps and slopes in the hills above the village. It is well worth the detour, with its three castles and the monastery of Notre-Dame de Dusenbach.

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

It's a nice walk that visits the three castles of Ribeauvillé at a slightly different angle from the traditional walk.

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.

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.

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.

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

Circular hike starting from Hunawihr, passing by the ruins of Sylo Convent, the Seelacker Pass, the ruins of Reichenstein Castle and the village of Riquewihr. The route is mainly through forest, enhanced by visits to the two very typical villages of Hunawihr and Riquewihr.

Hike through the pretty town of Kaysersberg, then into the Alsatian vineyards. The climb continues through a forest with different species of trees. The return route follows a stream that winds its way between the rocks.

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.

I suggest a fairly long hike with a significant elevation gain, classified as very difficult, which will allow you to discover the Orbey Valley with various remarkable viewpoints and several interesting sites: the Tour du Faudé, destroyed in 1915 and 1944 and rebuilt in the 1990s, the Duchesne Cemetery, a national necropolis for French soldiers who fell at Tête des Faux during theFirst World War, and the Gazon du Faing with its panoramic trail, a veritable balcony overlooking Lac Blanc and the Orbey Valley. Caution! This route includes a very technical and difficult section on the descent from the ridges to Lac Blanc, between points (14) and (15). Do not attempt in wet weather. Choose the alternative route described in the practical information.

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 memorial hike to a small peak that was the scene of violent clashes in 1914-1915, traces of which are still visible on the ground. Along the way, you will pass the very moving Duchesne Cemetery located in the middle of the forest.

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.

This easy walk through the vineyards also allows you to discover pretty villages on the Alsace Wine Route and the fortified church of Hunawihr. Suitable in all seasons. In early spring, you can enjoy the almond trees in bloom. In autumn, you can enjoy the beautiful colours of the season.

A pretty walk, alternating between rises and descents following sinuous winds and paths over ridges with magnificent views. ‘’The’’ meeting place for local chamois.

Hike in the Alsatian Vosges from Lac Blanc to Lac Vert and return via Lac des Truites and Lac Noir. These are three loops that follow on from each other so well that you can shorten the route at two points.

A magnificent hike with trails that are sometimes alpine in character.

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.

An uphill section towards Lake Noir on the slope of Orbey.

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.

Departure from Ammerschwihr, a famous village in the Alsatian vineyards, crossing the Ammerschwihr golf course and climbing to the Roche du Corbeau before crossing the Trois-Épis health resort and climbing to the Galtz monument, the Alsatian Corcovado. The return to Ammerschwihr is via the Château du Wineck (near Katzenthal) and the famous Kaefferkopf grand cru vineyard.This hike offers the chance to discover varied landscapes, from high-altitude forests to grand cru vineyards, passing by magnificent viewpoints such as the Rocher du Corbeau and the Galtz, and the ruins of the old hamlet of Meywihr near Ammerschwihr, which also has a rich historical heritage.

Looking for a varied hike with different terrain? Then look no further than the Three Lakes Hike. Rooted footpaths, forest tracks, uneven terrain, crossing the Gazon du Faing, Lac Noir, Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites (also known as Lac du Forlet) and, on a clear day, a diversion to the Belmont Rocher observatory or Rocher de Hans. A lovely hike to do in fine weather. It's better for the scenery.

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

If you enjoy panoramic views from the hillsides of Alsace, on a wide path overlooking Colmar and its surroundings, you will love this hike.

A simple loop along a forest path with the magnificent panorama of the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains from the Galtz monument as your destination. The climb to the Galtz is a little steep, but in good weather it is a beautiful viewpoint over the Alsace plain and the Black Forest.

By making a loop from the Étang des Dames, you can quickly reach the Rudlin Waterfall. This is a pretty waterfall about ten metres high, accessible via a path through the woods from the bottom of the valley.

This hike takes you to the Hautes Chaumes in the Tanet-Gazon du Faing Nature Reserve, starting on the Vosges side via the Ruhlock trail along a stream and returning via the Rudlin waterfall.There are beautiful views from the ridges over Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites or Lac du Forlet.

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.