Urbeis walks

Circular starting from Urbeis in the Villé valley, following the heritage trail on the theme of the mining past, then passing by the ruins of Bilstein Castle, the village of Climont and the Col d'Urbeis.

This walk is a round trip taking you to the ruins of Bilstein Castle.

Snowshoeing towards Climont – 965m – (Vosges Mountains).

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.

This short walk around Col de Fouchy will take you through the northern part of the Val d'Argent, passing Col du Petit Haut, Rocher de la Salière, Roche du Cheval Tombé and Col du Rougerain. A full programme of forest paths and trails accessible to all. Not suitable for pushchairs as some paths are too narrow.

This walk is primarily intended for families with young children or pushchairs. This circular is not difficult but offers truly magnificent scenery and atmosphere. You can ask for more information at the Villé Tourist Office.

Starting from Steige, this hike will take you to the summit of Climont to discover the Julius Tower and several magnificent viewpoints over the Villé Valley, as well as the Bruche Valley and the Vosges. This hike is difficult and includes sections with very steep climbs and technical passages. You will need to be in good physical condition and carry a small backpack.

A mix of magnificent cow pastures and beautiful coniferous forests with stunning views. A preserved valley with a few farms and the odd holiday home, at the foot of one of the valley’s legendary peaks, the Climont (966 m). A haven of peace – picture-postcard perfect!The route is suitable for beginner hikers, though the climb to the Refuge du Hang and on to the Belvédère de la Roche des Fées may seem challenging for those less accustomed to hiking and requires a reasonable level of fitness.

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.

The Climont is a curious conical massif which you will approach from the south face. The climb is steep, but the view from the top of the Julius Tower, at an altitude of over 960m, is well worth the effort. 21/04/2025: Five years after its first publication, I revisited this route to check that the description still matches the terrain. I took the opportunity to clarify certain sections and add a few waypoints. The descent is quite technical and difficult, and it is best to avoid it in wet weather, or else do the hike in the opposite direction. Enjoy the outing, everyone.

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.

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.

The Val de Villé tourist office publishes very well-designed hiking maps. Today, we are following trail No. 12, known as the Route de la Honel, which will take you through villages and forests with scenic views and rock formations. This hike is particularly beautiful in spring when the orchards are in bloom and the views are still unobstructed, as the forest canopy has not yet fully formed. The trail is fairly easy.

A circular walk starting from Ranrupt, taking us towards Stampoumont as far as Colroy-la-Roche, returning via Fonrupt. A route alternating between open countryside and woodland, with two viewpoints overlooking the villages. The first half is fairly gentle, the second half a little more challenging, with the Climont massif in view.

Following the course of the Haut Bois stream, set off to explore the hills above the village of Ranrupt, where you’ll enjoy unobstructed views over the Climontaine valley. On your way, stop off at the Hauts-Bois farm inn to sample some local cuisine.

Explore the trails above the village of Ranrupt and discover the hamlet of Fonrupt, a haven of tranquillity. Along the way, treat your taste buds to authentic local produce while enjoying splendid views of the Climontaine and Chiregoutte valleys.

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.

This outing will take us to an enclave of the Dukes of Lorraine in Alsace, a little-visited valley in the heart of the Vosges forest. This route through mountainous countryside, on well-marked trails, presents no difficulty other than its length and elevation, even in the depths of winter, provided that the snow cover does not hinder progress.

A short walk along some lovely paths just above Villé.

A lovely little walk covering a variety of paths. A very pretty view awaits you from the Belle-Vue gazebo. This route is ideal for trail runners wishing to explore the Villé Valley on foot.

This route is used for the running events we offer throughout the year. It can easily be done on foot or by running, and is accessible to all. You will take wide forest paths, trails, village streets and a cycle path.

This route is the one I use for a trail running event as part of my work. It’s a loop of just under 8 km that’s fairly straightforward if you run regularly. The advantage of this route is that it can also be done as a family walk. Walking, it takes around 2–2½ hours. This walk will allow you to explore the forest surrounding Villé, which overlooks the villages of Saint-Martin and Maisonsgoutte.

A short family walk around Breitenbach. Beautiful views of the Val de Villé. Numerous benches line the route. Educational information boards about the flora and fauna brighten up the start of the route.

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

A lovely walk in the Bruche Valley, with the climb up to Climont offering magnificent scenery. The ascent between (2) and (3) follows a footpath and is a bit of a challenge but well worth the effort. The descent is more gradual and follows a forest track.

This walk winds through a haven of peace and tranquillity towards one of the legendary peaks of the Bruche Valley. Surrounded by green, wooded landscapes, Le Climont is the region's water tower. Three rivers originate in its vicinity: the Bruche, Giessen and Fave. This spot is marked by a stele created by sculptor Raymond Keller from a block of sandstone donated by the Champenay quarry.

Route updated in April 2026 following the completion of the Châtenois bypassA cycle route alternating between roads and cycle paths in the Villé valley, with some lovely views.Route along a departmental road with moderate traffic (from Villé to Neubois).Forest track to La Vancelle.Separate cycle path to Val de Villé, path at the foot of Ortenbourg Castle.Return to the Villé Valley via the “Route du Sel” cycle path through the forest to Saint-Pierre-Bois.Finish via the cycle path alongside the country road to Villé.

A lovely circular walk starting from Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, alternating between open landscapes (offering views of the valley, the Taennchel massif and the Grand Brézouard) and beautiful forests; a route dotted with hamlets featuring old, isolated mountain farms.

Thefirst part of the walk is mainly in the shade and not particularly difficult, apart from the fairly steep climb after Grand Rombach. Best done in hot weather to make the most of the shade. Please note that there is tarmac at the start and end of the walk.

A circular walk from Triembach-Au-Val, taking us to the heights of Albé and its vineyards. Superb views of the village of Albé from both sides. Return via Villé and Bassemberg along the Giessen river.

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.

Circular walk starting from Triembach-Au-Val, heading towards Saint-Maurice and climbing the Baerenberg in the forest, then returning via the Saint-Gilles Church, emblematic of the Villé valley, and the village of Saint-Pierre-Bois.

A short circular route starting from Triembach-au-Val, taking you to the summit of the Schrann, above Albé, for a beautiful panoramic view. On leaving the village, the route winds through the forest, then passes through the mountain vineyards of Albé, and ends in the beautiful Bachmatten valley.

Perched on the heights of La Vancelle, a small mountain village, Frankenbourg Castle is one of the must-see ruins in the Sélestat-Haut-Koenigsbourg region. Looking for a moderate hike to explore this remarkable site and enjoy the tranquillity of the trails in the heart of nature? Then this is the one for you! Starting from La Vancelle, whatever the season, this lovely walk will take you to the castle in an hour and a half, allowing you to spot a few points of interest along the way whilst enjoying magnificent views of the Rocher du Coucou, the Val de Villé, the Val d’Argent and the Alsace plain.

This walk winds through a haven of peace and tranquillity at the foot of one of the valley's legendary peaks: Climont (966 m). The Bruche river rises at an altitude of 660 m and then crosses a vast basin: the Hang clearing. This is where families of glassmakers settled in 1723. Le Hang continued to prosper thanks to the arrival of Mennonite farmers of Swiss origin. They found here a place conducive to their pastoral and community life.

This walk is one of seven heritage trails created by the Vallée de Villé. By following these routes, you will discover the secrets of the villages' heritage as well as the most beautiful places and viewpoints in the Vallée de Villé. The Albé heritage trail takes you through the most picturesque village in the valley and its vineyards, where you will discover several interesting sights in the commune.

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.

A beautiful hike with stunning views of all the surrounding valleys: the Bruche Valley, Donon, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, Val de Villé, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Haut-Koenigsbourg, etc. It is quite difficult due to its length, elevation gain and rough terrain (narrow paths on the edge of the void or muddy forest paths).

This easy circular will take you to the well-preserved Frankenbourg Castle. From there, you can enjoy views of the Alsace plain and the Black Forest in the distance.Further on, along a shaded path, you will see glimpses of the Villé valley and the superb rocks of La 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.

A route starting from the heights of La Vancelle, offering the chance to discover interesting and often impressive rock formations. A steady climb for an hour and a half; the rest of the route is easy. Numerous stops possible

This circular loop, which runs mostly through the woods, offers a pleasant variety of points of interest. Villages and landscapes, nature and habitat, crafts, history and places of worship (ornate chapels, sandstone crosses) all contribute to the appeal of this still little-known region of Alsace.

An easy walk to the hamlet of Stampoumont through a beautiful forest, then beautiful views of the pastures, the Donon and the Climont, not to mention the pretty chapel of Stampoumont with its minimalist stained glass windows. A calm and peaceful walk.

Bellefosse, known as Béfoss in the local dialect, was part of the former seigneury of Ban de la Roche. This hike will take you to the heights of Bellefosse to explore the ruins of the Château de la Roche, known as "zum Stein" or "Steinschloss", then across the peaks to discover the former seigneurial farmstead of Lachamp. Finally, you will have the opportunity to eat at two farmhouse inns, Ban de la Roche or Promont.

Below the Champ du Feu, this pleasant route descends almost to the entrance of the village of Breitenbach. It is of moderate difficulty with some steep climbs nonetheless, especially the challenging one that ends the hike, but also some lovely descents.Forest tracks and narrow paths, beautiful trees and stunning views, plus a lovely shelter for a mid-route lunch break, feature throughout this route.

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.

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.

Set in the centre of a two-kilometre-long plateau, surrounded by mountains, the village of Saâles was built on the Via Salinaria at a convenient crossing point over the Vosges. The village has maintained its role as a market town throughout history. As early as 1743, it was granted the privilege of holding a fair and a market. In 1924, the rebuilt town hall housed the market halls on its ground floor.

Climont rises to an altitude of 965 metres. The Julius Tower stands atop its summit, offering a 360-degree view of Alsace and the Black Forest. This walk takes you to the summit starting from Saales. Half of the walk is on flat ground. A further quarter is uphill, and another quarter is downhill. The climbs aren’t very long, but they are quite steep, technical and stony. Most of the walk takes place in the forest. The return route takes you past the Voyemont and the Roche des Fées, offering views of the Bruche Valley and the Bas-Rhin on one side, and the Vosges department on the other.

In Alsatian, Ungersberg means the ‘Mountain of the Hungarians’: the highest sandstone massif in the Val de Villé, situated between the mountains and the Alsatian plain. The ascent and descent of the Ungersberg, along rocky paths, is quite steep; walking poles and good footwear will be a great help. The Club Vosgien has erected the Héring Tower at its summit, offering a sweeping view of the Alsace plain and the neighbouring peaks.

Discover this accessible and charming route at Champ du Feu, in the heart of the Vosges. Covering 10.22 km, this moderate walk takes you through varied landscapes, combining lush forests, shaded paths and unobstructed views. You’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the plain – ideal for lovers of nature and tranquillity.

A hike through stubble fields and forests, with superb scenery. Departure from Belmont, with the option of refreshments at Col de la Charbonnière

There is a proverb that says that everything small is cute. And it's true. With its 38 inhabitants, Blancherupt is the smallest municipality in Alsace and has a charm all of its own. In the 1990s, an award-winning advertising campaign described the commune as "In Blancherupt, there is nothing... nothing but the essentials", an invitation to discover this little corner of paradise without further delay.

Champ du Feu is the highest point in the Bas-Rhin at 1,099 m. At the summit, the viewing tower was erected in 1898 by the Club Vosgien. It is the symbol of Champ du Feu. There are many theories about the origin of the name Champ du Feu. It may derive from Vehfeld or ‘cattle field’, a corruption of the name Champ des Fées or Champ du Faîte (the summit), or even the charcoal burners’ fires...

Le Champ du Feu, one of the highest points in the Bas-Rhin at an altitude of 1,098 m, a winter sports resort ideal for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing, an icon for all generations of Alsatians.This lovely circular route is an extension of the Champ du Feu circular route (hike No. 43137315 of 11 Dec. 2023); the first 5 kilometres are similar to the original route, but the rest changes and extends the circular route by 2 km.Eighty per cent of the route is through woodland, intended for walkers and, in snowy weather, for snowshoe hikers, and mainly follows footpaths and a few forest tracks. It crosses a few marked cross-country ski trails on groomed snow; please walk alongside these so as not to disturb the skiers or damage the trails.Beautiful rocks and trees, with lovely views, can be found throughout this fairly varied route.There is a lovely shelter near the end of the route, with refreshments available in the first third and at the start/finish.

The Champ du Feu is one of the highest points in the Bas-Rhin at an altitude of 1,098 metres. As the only winter sports resort in the Bas-Rhin, the area is ideal for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing, and is an icon for all generations of Alsatians.This beautiful circular route, 70% of which is in woodland, is designed for walkers and, in snowy weather, for snowshoe hikers. It mainly follows marked trails and a few forest paths on groomed snow.Two striking rock formations, beautiful trees and lovely views can be found throughout this fairly varied route.There is a lovely shelter almost at the end of the route, as well as refreshment facilities at both ends.

An easy hike to Champ du Feu, the highest peak in the Bas-Rhin at 1,099 metres above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Pass by the tower, yurts and stunning viewpoints over Climont and then the Val de Villé.

A short hike with steep climbs, taking you to the Serva Waterfall, directly from the Champ du Feu. The trail runs alongside this pretty waterfall, which originates in the high pastures of the Champ du Feu, at an altitude of 1,000 metres. It then joins the Rothaine, a stream crossing the valley of the same name, 350 metres below, through the forest, until it reaches the Bruche.

With its 38 inhabitants, Blancherupt is the smallest commune in Alsace and has a charm all of its own. Discover this little corner of paradise.

A walk from Champ du Feu to the Andlau Waterfall (also known as the Hohwald Waterfall) via Chaume des Veaux, with views of the Ungersberg, Val de Villé and Haut-Koenigsbourg

This walk along the western slopes of the Champs du Feu takes you through splendid scenery towards the village of Hohwald. During this route, you’ll discover the source of the Andlau, the Chaume des Veaux, the village of Hohwald and, of course, the waterfall of the same name. Particularly popular for its cool waters in summer, it takes on a magical quality in winter, when, in the bitter cold, it transforms into a majestic ice sculpture.

This is a beautiful hike through lovely forests and magnificent meadows, offering superb views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. You will also discover a whole chapter of the history of Alsace-Moselle: the German occupation from 1870 to 1918, as well as the battles of theFirst World War that took place in the Vosges. The hike presents no difficulty other than a few hundred metres with a 15% gradient after the Col de Sainte-Marie.

A very beautiful hike featuring two magnificent waterfalls (Andlau and Serva) and passing through Champ du Feu and Chaume des Veaux.The hike is accessible in all seasons. Most of it is in the forest, except for the section at the top of Champ du Feu. Magnificent in autumn and winter.I have rated the difficulty as "difficult" due to the elevation gain, but the hike does not present any technical difficulties.

A pleasant walk around Saulxures, much of it in the shade. Beautiful views along the route.

This hike will take you through Ban-de-la-Roche, a place dear to Pastor Jean-Frédéric Oberlin, who served there for 60 years. The route will take you through magnificent landscapes, past a little-known castle (or what remains of it) and to the highest point in the Bas-Rhin.It is a fairly long hike with a significant elevation gain, classified as difficult, which I completed in about 7 hours of walking.

Loop connecting the various villages in the Chirgoutte valley, which were part of the former seigneury of Ban de la Roche. Circuit on the western slope of the Champ du Feu, alternating between forest, pastures and gorse heathland. Beautiful views of the Donon and Climont mountains.

Large circular above Le Hohwald: Neuntelstein Rock, Col de la Rotlach, Champ du Feu, Chaume des Veaux, Col du Kreutzweg, Grande Bellevue, the footbath, etc. Classified as difficult due to its length, mainly shaded and ideal for hot weather. Numerous viewpoints and pleasant forest passages.

This superb walk in the heart of the Vosges mountains is, in itself, an open-air history book. From Foudray, the route climbs towards Solbach and the legendary Col de la Perheux, reaching the green landscapes around Belmont before descending towards Waldersbach and then Foudray. Its church, with its 13th-century Romanesque bell tower, is now a temple, beside which lies the tomb of Pastor Oberlin.

In a beautiful forest setting, you will cross numerous streams and arrive at the waterfall formed by the Andlau river in the middle of the rocks. A short hike with moderate slopes and a pretty destination, ideal for young children or occasional walkers.

This hike will take you from Hohwald to Champ du Feu and Col de la Charbonnière. There are beautiful views of the Vosges from Crête des Myrtilles.

Hohwald is a bit like our own “Little Switzerland of Alsace”. A distinctly Swiss calm and a sense of tranquillity. The hike takes place mainly on forest roads, paths and trails (around 4 hours, excluding breaks), suitable for families, with lovely views of the village and some nearby peaks such as the Neuntelstein (970 m) and the Ungersberg (901 m). On a clear day, you can see the Haut-Koenigsbourg (757 m) and the Rocher du Coucou (856 m).

A pleasant circular route starting from Hohwald, passing by the Andlau Waterfall and the Kreuzweg.Suitable for an afternoon walk or for part of the day, including lunch at the Kreuzweg farmhouse inn.

A beautiful historical hike near the Wisembach National Forest.A reminder of the facts:1871 - Alsace/Moselle are annexed by Germany, which modernises many areas.1914 - The heir to the Austrian throne is assassinated / Germany declares war on Russia, France and Belgium. Soldiers occupy villages and mountains.November 1918: the trenches are filled in, the blockhouses and other structures destroyed, but around a hundred remain visible in the heights of the Val d'Argent.

This circular hike links the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines to Chaume de Lusse, through typical Vosges forests of beech, fir, blueberry and high-altitude meadows. The forest paths and roads offer beautiful panoramic views of the Val d'Argent and Meurthe valleys. This is a fairly dynamic route that leads to Chaume de Lusse via a varied course, including sustained climbs (which is why we rate it as difficult), forest passages and open ridges. Part of the route runs between Alsace and Lorraine on paths and trails marked by the GR®531, the former border from 1871 to 1918, with boundary stones marked D (Deutschland), often hammered, and F, marking the historic border and named "Chemins de la Grande Guerre" (Paths of the Great War).

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.

Exploring the old mines of the village of Échery and its Clock Tower. Climb to the summit of the Grand Brézouard and enjoy its 360° panorama of the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley and the Vosges ridges.

A short circular walk from the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, offering the chance to explore the remains of theFirst World War (1914–1918), including the German army’s installations below the Tête du Violu front line.

A lovely walk starting from Hohwald, heading towards the Source de l'Andlau via the Champ du Feu. Then a return route via the beautiful Cascade de l'Andlau and the Lindenhof, where a farmhouse inn offers refreshments. This walk is refreshing in summer; during the heat of the day, you will mostly walk in the shade and be accompanied at times by the murmur of the small stream flowing below.

This route is the first part of thefourth stage of a seven-day tour of the Alsatian side of the Vosges mountains. Most of the route is on forest roads in good condition. The signage is excellent, consisting of signs with an orange or red mountain bike logo and the letters TMV (Traversée du Massif Vosgien).

Ascent to the Tête du Violu from the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines via the Carrefour des Biches and the Labyrinth.

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful route up to Champ du Feu from Hohwald, as it runs through the heart of the forest and there are no busy roads to cross. If you set off early, you might be lucky enough to spot some wildlife. The route passes by the old dairy farm, a peaceful and quiet spot, before descending via the magnificent Chaume des Veaux. Then, enjoy the stunning viewpoint at Breitenbach, where you might just see paragliders in flight. Finish your hike by returning via Grande Bellevue.

Located in the heart of Alsace, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle dominates the entire plain at an altitude of 755 metres. It is impossible to miss this iconic monument, one of the most visited in the region! This landmark is also the starting and finishing point for many hikes. If you prefer short routes, this one is for you. Starting from the Col du Schaentzel, it will take you past several points of interest and allow you to reach the castle in just 1 hour.

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.

Hiking route starting from Thannenkirch to visit the castles of Haut Ribeaupierre, Girsberg and Saint-Ulrich, as well as the monastery of Notre-Dame de Dusenbach.