Sentier des bornes trail in Altorf

Welcome to Altorf for a walk through forests, fields and villages, discovering ancient boundary stones (from the 16th to the 18th centuries).
This 6 km route is ideal for a family walk. For very young children, the route can be shortened (simply ignore the optional points). There is even a playground on the route.
Enjoy your walk!

Details

183769
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.67 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 171 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 165 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Altorf (67120)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.523545° / E 7.529675°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3716ET, 3716ETR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Cour de la Dîme car park.

(S/E) Turn immediately left to reach the cul-de-sac and leave Altorf, walking along the surrounding wall with the Abbey Church behind you. Follow the Anneau Rouge Sentier des Bornes markings. At the end of the cul-de-sac, go under the archway in the surrounding wall. Cross three bridges. For families, the playground is on the left.

(1) After the last bridge, turn right. It is from this path that you will come across the first boundary stones. As these are small stones lining the path, it is strongly recommended that you look carefully at the ground around you so as not to miss them. Walk along the forest for a long time until the current path splits in two.

(2) Keep to the left.
Just after this intersection, on the left, there is an optional detour to see the marker that is a little way off the main path (an extra 50 metres).
On your way back, continue to the left for about 500 metres. You will come to the second detour.

(3) As it allows you to see a dozen additional boundary stones, it is considered part of the main route. This is where you can "cut" when doing the route with very young children (about 1 km less). To do the full route, turn right.

After a short while, you will come to wooden "dykes" that allow you to cross the muddiest parts of the path while staying dry. Ignore the fork and continue straight ahead.

(4) The path takes you to a third optional point.
From this point, a new round trip takes you to the burial mound and then back again. (Allow for an additional 1 km).
If you wish to stay on the classic route, follow the Sentier des Bornes signs, turn left at the dykes and return to the previous crossroads.

(3) Turn right and then almost immediately left. Continue straight ahead until you reach the D127, Rue de Dachstein.

(5) Turn left and follow the road, staying on the cycle path. Please note that you are sharing the path with cyclists, so take care. Stay on the cycle path and follow the red ring markings.
You will need to cross twice to stay on the path. Then take the second street on the left, Viehweg, towards the stadium. Walk along the tennis court.

(1) Immediately after the tennis courts, turn right to head back towards the Abbey Church. Cross the bridges and keep an eye on the surrounding wall on your right so you don't miss the postern gate (small gate) that will take you to the Cour de la Dîme car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 170 m - Car park, Cour de la Dîme
  2. 1 : km 0.67 - alt. 169 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.65 - alt. 167 m - Turn left at the intersection
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 166 m - Turn right towards the dykes
  5. 4 : km 2.86 - alt. 166 m - Optional route to the burial mound
  6. 5 : km 4.16 - alt. 169 m - Rue de Dachstein D127
  7. S/E : km 5.67 - alt. 170 m - Car park, Cour de la Dîme

Notes

Nearest station: Dachstein - 2.5 km
Starting point: Cour de la Dîme car park in Altorf
Club Vosgien markings: Red Ring
Miscellaneous:
Half of the route is in the forest, the other half is open, so remember to bring a hat and sun cream in good weather.
As the route consists partly of tarmac and dirt tracks, it is not suitable for standard pushchairs.
(2) There is a picnic table just before this point on the left.

::5: Circular to the menhir (optional): as you enter the village, you can extend the walk by taking Rue de la Nachtweid on the right, then Rue de la Gansweid on the left. Follow the dirt track to the end. Pass the pond, keeping to the right. Turn right to reach the menhir, which will be on your right in a small meadow. Turn back and stay on the tarmac track, continuing straight ahead. You will return to the village of Altorf via Rue Arthur Rimbaud. Turn left at the crossroads to return to the stadium. Allow an extra 2.5 km.

Please note: the menhir is located in an area that can be dangerous, so we strongly advise against walking there alone or late at night.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Take the time to have a look at the old Grange Dimière and its sundial. Turn your back to the building to see the Abbey Church of Saint-Cyriaque on your left.

During the hike:
- Benedictine abbey with its 12th-13th century Romanesque nave, 18th century Baroque transept and choir. Cloister garden and Renaissance well, herb garden, hortus and pomarium. Open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day, extended hours in summer, gardens accessible depending on the season.
- The old Grange Dimière and its sundial
- Children's playground at the start of the route, after the third bridge.

Nearby:
- The tumulus: third optional return trip. This is an ancient tomb visible only from the outside, resembling a mound of earth.
- The menhir located between Molsheim and Altorf (Nachtweid Street).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Pivoine6as
Pivoine6as

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The time indicated to get to the burial mound is not correct: it's at least 15 to 20 minutes, not 10.

Machine-translated

AndCol
AndCol

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Short, easy walk on flat ground. Beautiful, open forest.
The milestones serve as landmarks. Shame the church is closed to the public.
Do it on a fine winter's day.

Machine-translated

gregdiam
gregdiam

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk for families with children, very well prepared and presented.

Machine-translated

Leahkim
Leahkim

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A quiet, completely flat walk. Easily done by bike, the optional section between 3 and 4 being the narrowest, it's a real "path" in the forest unlike the rest of the walk which is on wide, often tarmac, roads.
Add 30 minutes to see the menhir at the end of the loop (5).

Machine-translated

didier schmitt
didier schmitt

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

FOR RELAXING FUN

Machine-translated

Dany M.
Dany M.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An excellent loop if you don't feel like straining your body... a completely flat route through meadows and forest. It's also interesting because there are many landmarks to see, as well as St Cyriaque Abbey and its garden.

Machine-translated

Maminouxe
Maminouxe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Short hike for all levels... Beware of mosquitoes . Information: These markers date from the 16th and 18th centuries and still have inscriptions, dates, symbols such as the bishop's crozier and even coats of arms. Some of them were damaged during the Revolution. Thank you Mr Google...

Machine-translated

linoupi
linoupi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Altorf is a very pretty village that should be visited before or after walking the "sentier des bornes". The church of Saint-Cyriaque and the cloister garden are well worth a visit. The "sentier des bornes" is very easy. However, most of the milestones have been erased and would benefit from some explanation.

Machine-translated

JOG67
JOG67

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

- Bollards not very visible (fortunately there was no vegetation at the time)
- no explanation of the origin or history of these markers
- optional "return" circuit loops poorly signposted
- A visit to the abbey of St Cyriaque should be added at the end of the tour, as it is more than worthwhile (as is a visit to the old village).

Nice walk, to be repeated at a better time of year.

Machine-translated

PaNaya
PaNaya

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

It's a short walk with no difficulties, but it's worthwhile discovering the milestones and the burial mound. The only downside was the final section on the road and in the village...
I'm sorry I didn't get to see the abbey.

Machine-translated

Office de tourisme de Molsheim
Office de tourisme de Molsheim

Thank you for your feedback. The village of Altorf also has a town tour to discover the most beautiful buildings and the remains of the abbey church. This summer, there will be a guided tour. Please contact us for more details.

Machine-translated

Helmut67
Helmut67
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A great walk for children. Don't hesitate to find out more about the history of the abbey and take a stroll in its garden at the end of the walk.

Machine-translated

ofohrer
ofohrer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very nice surprise right from the start: the abbey church and its surroundings are very well laid out, even the car park is beautifully decorated with flowers.
we did park in the car park next to the abbey church, as mentioned in a previous comment, but that didn't pose any problem in finding the start of the walk

the walk is easy and varied: meadows, forest, houses along the road

it corresponds well to the description

Machine-translated

Sébastien 67870
Sébastien 67870

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Super easy walk. Ideal for walking with children.

Machine-translated

Office de tourisme de Molsheim
Office de tourisme de Molsheim

Hello sab67,

Thank you for your feedback. You're quite right, it would be a shame to stop in Altorf without taking the time to visit the abbey church. During the summer, you can also visit the gardens, which have been restored by volunteers and are also very pretty!

Have a nice day,
Emilie Raynaud for the Molsheim-Mutzig Region Tourist Office

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.