Sélestat walks

Hiking trail from Sélestat station, easily accessible from many towns in Alsace, to Ribeauvillé, from where you can return to Sélestat station by bus. The route offers magnificent views of the Vosges mountains from the outskirts of Sélestat, with Kintzheim Castle and Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle on your left, the village of Châtenois opposite you, and Ramstein and Ortenbourg castles above Scherwiller on your right. You will pass through part of Châtenois before tackling the climb to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, a major tourist attraction in Alsace. You will finally end your journey in the middle of the vineyards, between Bergheim, a charming fortified village in the foothills of the Vosges, and Ribeauvillé, your destination.

Why not set off to explore the vineyards near Sélestat and the Villé and Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valleys by bike? Discover our brand-new cycle route starting from Sélestat! A 50-kilometre route to explore the essence of central Alsace at your own pace, taking in its beautiful landscapes and some of its most picturesque villages (Scherwiller, Thanvillé, Neuve-Église, Fouchy, Rombach-le-Franc, Lièpvre, Châtenois and Kintzheim), whilst climbing the Col de Fouchy, situated at an altitude of 608 metres halfway along the route.

This is a lovely walk in the plains of the river Ill, which will let you to escape for two hours from the bustle of this area popular with tourists. In summer you'll be nice and cool, thanks to the many streams and towering trees.

Walk through the vineyards around Scherwiller with a beautiful view of the Ortenbourg and Ramstein castles.

This lovely circular starting from Scherwiller Town Hall takes you to Ramstein and Ortenbourg castles, through vineyards and the beautiful Ortenberg forest. Stunning views over the Alsace plain, Haut Koenigsbourg and the Vosges mountains.

This route forms the first part of the fifth stage of a 7-day tour on the Alsatian side of the Vosges. The route follows mainly forest tracks in good condition. The signposting, which is excellent, consists of signs bearing an orange or red mountain bike logo accompanied by the letters TMV (Traversée du Massif Vosgien).

With this superb twelfth stage of the Vosges crossing proposed by Passion Vosges magazine, published by Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace and L’Alsace, the hiker visits a series of castles, starting with the iconic Haut-Koenigsbourg. After a lovely detour into the valley of the mountain village of Thannenkirch, a final climb leads to the steep and spectacular site of the three castles overlooking the charming wine-growing town of Ribeauvillé, the end point of this 20-kilometre route.

A circular hike starting from Châtenois, which takes us to the summit of Hahnenberg, where we can enjoy a beautiful view of the central Alsace plain. The route continues around the Montagne des Singes animal park, then returns through the vineyards above Kintzheim.

This route takes you across the Vosges in the Haut-Rhin, with moderate daily stages ranging from 15 to 20 km and an elevation gain generally between 800 and 900 m. These stages take between 6 and 7 hours, always ending near a mountain refuge, which must be booked in advance. The route follows paths marked by the Club Vosgien and passes through a wide variety of landscapes.

This first stage starts in Kintzheim, passes by Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, then crosses the pretty village of Thanenkirch before heading up alongside the ‘pagan wall’ with its beautiful rock formations to the Schelmenkopf mountain hut. It is not particularly difficult and is a good way to warm up for the rest of the journey.

A short walk to the Scherwiller orientation table, via the Hühnelmühle, starting from Rue Holzweg.

A circular hike passing by Ortenbourg Castle and the ruins of Ramstein Castle, then Bernstein Castle. Wide panoramic view from the Bernstein Tower. Return via the Bellevue summit and along the ridge with some remarkable rocks, including the Falkenstein climbing site. Forest trail with numerous viewpoints from castles and rocks (Villé valley, Haut-Koenigsbourg, Central Alsace plain).

A circular walk starting from Dieffenthal, taking us to Ortenbourg Castle, where we can enjoy a beautiful view of the Alsace plain. Then on the Villé valley side to Kasmarkt. Return via the medieval village of Dambach-La-Ville.

This circular walk will allow you to discover a botanical garden, a Celtic rock, the Wolfskirche rocks and the castles of Ortenbourg and Ramstein, while skirting a protected forest (APB)

A shaded walk (except after Ortenbourg) along forest tracks or footpaths, alternating between viewpoints (the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, the Vosges), restored castles and numerous rock formations.

Ortenbourg Castle, built in the 13th century, is one of the most spectacular castles in Alsace. Dominating the vineyards overlooking Scherwiller, with breathtaking views of the Alsace plain, the Villé valley and the Val d'Argent, it is a must-see attraction. So, whatever the season, why not discover its secrets on an easy hike starting from the charming village of Dieffenthal?