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To return to the starting point, take the D919 from Ingwiller to Wimmenau. At Les Quatre Vents, take the D656 towards Weinbourg. A few metres further on, turn right into Rue de la Forêt. Park in the small car park next to the fir trees.
(S/E) From the car park, continue along the path for about 100 metres, then turn right into the forest (yellow triangle) and follow a wide path.
(1) At the intersection, take the narrow path opposite, which climbs slightly (blue cross). Signposted "Englishberg, Winger".
Be careful not to take the path on the right marked with a blue easel.
(2) You can make a round trip to the right to see the "Seven Caves". You are at an intersection of a path and a trail with a central "island" composed of several trees. To go to the Seven Caves, do not take the path that starts at "2 o'clock" and will be marked with a blue easel a little later, but take the path that starts at a right angle. After about 200 m, you will see the caves on your left. Return to the intersection.
Continue to follow the path marked with a blue cross, signposted "Englishberg"
(3). Leave the path that veers to the right and take the path that goes straight ahead, crossing a sunken path a little further on. Continue to follow the Blue Crosses.
(4) Turn left, following the red-white-red rectangle markings, to climb up towards Englishberg.
(5) When you reach the top of the rocky ridge, turn right and follow the ridge line to a pleasant viewpoint (bench). Return to the top and take the path that descends to the right until you reach a path on the right, following the red-white-red rectangular markings (do not follow the same markings that go to the left). A sign will indicate that you are heading towards Wingen.
(6) Turn left onto a path marked with a red rectangle (sign for Ochsenstall 25 min) to reach some shallow natural caves (Ochsenstall).
(7) Continue straight ahead for about 100 metres, leaving the rocks on your right, and take the first path that branches off slightly to the right (red rectangle). Head towards Erckarzwiller/
(8) When you reach a crossroads with several paths, take the one on the left (sandy). When you reach an intersection, follow the path that turns at a right angle and is marked with a red triangle to pass near the Petit Château du Meisenbach (ruins). (You can see the remains of this small castle by going around the hill on the left. A sign shows you how to climb up to the castle).
(9) Continue following the yellow cross markings on the left. After a few dozen metres, pass in front of a rock altar and continue until you reach the Sparsbach stadium. Two roads lead down to the village; take the one on the left to pass in front of a beautiful little church.
(10) At the bottom of the village, there is a restored wash house. Take the small road that branches off to the left, following the Meisenbach river (yellow triangle). Follow this river for about 4 km, passing close to some ponds (former fish farm). Don't forget to take a look at the Old Beech Tree with its many nesting boxes. The path leaves the river behind for good. After a short climb, it leads to a path that you should take on the right (you are about 50 metres from the path you took on the way there).
(11) At the forest house at the edge of the forest, take the path on the left and follow it along the edge of the forest. After a few minutes, you will return to the car park where you started
Note: Description and route updated on 20 May 2020 to take into account all the helpful comments made before that date.
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