Sandweg Oberhaslach trail

This relatively short circuit is ideal for family walks with children (please note that it does have a significant elevation gain).
It takes you to the Oberhaslach Forest, where you can see the strange sculptures that are part of the Sandweg Symposium. It is a walk that combines art and nature for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy your hike!

Details

183735
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.38 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 166 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 166 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 471 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 304 m

Photos

Description of the walk

If travelling by car from the D218, take care not to miss the exit for the Sandweg trail on the right and take the gravel road to the car park.

The circuit starts on your right when you arrive at the car park from the Nideck road (D218).

(S/E) Follow the yellow ring, heading south-east.

(1) After about 300 metres, in a hairpin bend to the left, look to your right to see the first sculpture: "Éléphant Comb" by Ivan Bon.

Stay on the same path to pass sculptures nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5, which are respectively: "549" by François Weil, "Le dialogue des géants" (The dialogue of giants) by Tomasz Domanski, "Le royaume du laboureur" (The kingdom of the ploughman) by Bénédicte Weber and Sylvain Chartier, and "Existe-t-il ou n'existe-t-il pas ?" (Does it exist or does it not exist?) by Christian Fuchs.

(2) Leave the Sandweg forest road by taking the path on the left. At the next fork, turn right to reach the ruins of Hohenstein Castle and admire the valley from the panoramic viewpoint.

(3) Then retrace your steps and keep right at the fork to continue the walk to the next sculptures.

(4) Take a good look around so you don't miss sculptures 6 and 7, respectively "Le portique des géants" (The Giants' Portico) by Alfi Vivern and "Sans titre" (Untitled) by Kim de Ruysscher.

Further on, turn left and follow the yellow ring markings. About 400 metres further on, you will come across the last work: "The Egyptian Castle of the Giant's Daughter's Doll" by Gerardo Arribas.

The path then takes you directly back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 305 m - D 218 towards car park. Near the - Hasel (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 344 m - First sculpture
  3. 2 : km 2.42 - alt. 471 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.63 - alt. 466 m - Ruines du château du Hohenstein
  5. 4 : km 3.38 - alt. 369 m - Sculptures 6 and 7
  6. S/E : km 4.38 - alt. 305 m - D 218 towards car park

Notes

Departure from the Sandweg car park, Route du Nideck D218 in Oberhaslach.
Nearest station: Urmatt - 5 km
Yellow ring markings.

The circuit is classified as "Easy" because it is very short. However, it presents a significant difficulty in terms of elevation gain, which should be taken into account when preparing for your hike, especially if you are bringing children. In the mountains, storms can arise quickly, so we recommend checking the weather forecast before setting off.

Worth a visit

During the hike:
- The various works of art on the Alsace Contemporary Sculpture Trail No. 3.
- The ruins of Hohenstein Castle and the panoramic view of the valley (please note that the site is very steep).

Nearby:
- The waterfall and ruins of Nideck.
- The ruins of Ringelsberg.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Chamagnon
Chamagnon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful circuit I make it once a year always with the same pleasure

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Aloyse Quimper
Aloyse Quimper

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A fairly straightforward route despite a continuous slope to the tipping point for the
the way back!
Several beautiful sculptures along the way, including a ruin of Hohenstein Castle!

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Arthur Julié
Arthur Julié

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy access from the road to the car park. Easy path to follow, following the yellow ring. My two children enjoyed the walk, even though they're not quite used to walking yet! They were delighted by the sculptures along the way!

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bernard_dorli
bernard_dorli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice little walk.
Before reaching point 4, the path passes through some lovely brambles, so if you're wearing shorts, it can sting a bit...
And you have to backtrack a little on the forest road to make sure you don't miss the "untitled" sculpture.

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Emilienne
Emilienne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk for all the family, with beautiful sculptures to discover along the way.

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Lynx67710
Lynx67710

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk, with a fine view of Hohenstein Castle and some meditative sandstone sculptures...

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lolo46
lolo46

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Major difficulties accessing the ruined Hohenstein castle due to forestry work

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Barabaste
Barabaste

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little walk with a beautiful view from the castle

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Wisigoth
Wisigoth

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

nice little walk with good signposting and original sights

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JEAN PAUL BAEHR
JEAN PAUL BAEHR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very fine walk - very well signposted.
The descent after the HOHENSTEIN castle requires careful attention for around 500 m.
Otherwise this short circuit has the merit of highlighting 7 very beautiful monumental works sculpted in huge blocks of sandstone.
blocks of sandstone. I did this tour on a Tuesday and there was only one car in the car park.
But it's possible that there will be more visitors on Sundays.

Jean Paul BAEHR

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muller Catherine
muller Catherine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, cool walk despite the heat. If you push on to the ruins of the Petit Ringelberg, there is an additional climb to make a little extra effort. The astonishing works of art sculpted from huge blocks of sandstone dot the route, to the delight of young and old alike.

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pasmacho
pasmacho

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Road signs very difficult to see, if you are not careful you will miss the entrance to the car park. This tour was completed without children, but it is advisable to wear good walking shoes. It is a pleasant walk and the path is very practicable, except on the right as you leave the château, which is very steep for 50 metres and slippery in wet weather.

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HélèneBann
HélèneBann

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Tour done with 3 children aged between 5 and 9 and a baby in tow.
Quite accessible, just be careful of the part of the castle where the stones slip a little in wet weather.
The sculptures are a real bonus for motivating the children!

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Jmarchal
Jmarchal

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

easy and very pleasant tour

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