Zorn Valley and three castles

This hike starts in the valley and climbs into the forest, passing several viewpoints over the Alsace plain. The Brotsch Tower and three castles are worth visiting if you have time, as is the tower of the old Chappe telegraph.
The entire walk takes place in the forest. Beautiful sandstone and puddingstone rocks line the route.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 412 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 408 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 539 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 204 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Saverne, head towards Lutzelbourg - Dabo (D132) until you reach the hamlet of Stambach. Turn left onto the Baerembach forest road for 200 m and park near the drinking water plant.

(S/E) Set off on the path behind the drinking water plant. Then follow the railway line for about 100 metres.

(1) Take the first path on the right towards Zimmereck. Follow this path marked with red-white-red rectangles and climb the winding path, heading south-east then south.

(2) At the crossroads (cross), turn right onto Chemin du Président towards Schaeferplatz. Follow this wide path marked with a blue cross, winding along the mountainside and ignoring the paths branching off to the sides.

(3) At the Schaeferplatz forest house, turn left twice and climb towards the Grotte and Tour du Brotsch (marked with a red rectangle). Pass by the Cuve de Pierre, a large reservoir carved into the sandstone.

(4) Shortly afterwards, turn left, still following the red rectangle. After a right-hand bend, you will reach a fork.

(5) Take the left-hand path (yellow ring). Pass in front of the Brotsch Cave, under a magnificent rock (climbing site). Then follow a few hairpin bends.

(6) Take the right-hand branch (north-northeast) of the Red Ring marked trail. Then turn left and reach the Brotsch Tower (beautiful viewpoint).

(7) Descend to the right (Red Rectangle) towards the Table des Sorcières. Join a wider path and follow it to the right.

(8) At the Table des Sorcières, cross the road and head north towards the Petit Geroldsek (Red Chevalet). Pass the Petit Geroldsek, continue north and reach the Grand Geroldsek.

(9) Continue north-east towards Haut Barr. You will come out onto the D171 road.

(10) Turn right onto the path leading to Château du Haut Barr (red horse). Return to the D171 and follow it to the right until you reach the castle.

(11) Retrace your steps.

(10) Cross the D171 and take the path opposite that leads back to Stambach (Red Ring then Red Triangle). Cross the D171 again and take a wide forest path. Head south and then make a sharp right-hand turn.

(12) At a fork, veer left (Red Triangle).

(1) Continue straight ahead, then turn quickly left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 204 m - Stambach (drinking water plant)
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 214 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.2 - alt. 373 m - Zimmereck
  4. 3 : km 3.81 - alt. 383 m - Maison forestière Schaeferplatz
  5. 4 : km 4.27 - alt. 410 m - Fork
  6. 5 : km 4.58 - alt. 447 m - Fork
  7. 6 : km 5.08 - alt. 518 m - Junction
  8. 7 : km 5.6 - alt. 537 m - Tour du Brotsch
  9. 8 : km 6.43 - alt. 422 m - Table des sorcières
  10. 9 : km 7.31 - alt. 463 m - Grand Geroldseck
  11. 10 : km 7.71 - alt. 423 m - Route D171 - Access to Haut-Barr
  12. 11 : km 8.18 - alt. 441 m - Château du Haut-Barr
  13. 12 : km 10.37 - alt. 237 m - Fork
  14. S/E : km 11.33 - alt. 204 m - Stambach (drinking water plant)

Notes

A shelter, ideal for a picnic, is located at the Brotsch tower at the highest point of the route (3).

Worth a visit

Historic town of Saverne with the magnificent Rohan Castle.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
ThéoP
ThéoP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike in May was really great.
Beautiful weather, superb views, lots of places to eat with a very nice panorama.
However, the trail is quite busy between the climbing spots and the castles accessible by car, so if you want some peace and quiet, it's best to go during the week.

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1956 didi nepal
1956 didi nepal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb, very varied hike, complemented by the discovery of beautiful sites and stunning views. The route is very straightforward.

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xerocrete
xerocrete

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk and route as described.
Details:
At the starting point in Stambach, the access road on the left is the one marked "ferme équestre" (equestrian farm).
At point 9: from Grand Geroldseck Castle, you can also take the red-marked trail that leads directly to Haut Barr.
At point 11, "retrace your steps", the landmark is a car park with the Centenary fir tree. The descent to Stambach is very pleasant except at the end, where the RF is completely ruined due to logging work.

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dalapin
dalapin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very varied walk. At the start, on the climb, the path disappears under the felled trees. You climb straight up the track and then it gets steep! You come to a very pleasant forest path. Then you meet the crowds at the Brotsch tower. Now the view is largely blocked by a recently planted fir forest. For example, you can no longer see the Dabo rock from above. Don't miss the round trip, two kilometres from the finish, to the remarkable Haut-Barr castle. There is an inn and toilets. Take the opportunity to visit the restored Chappe telegraph tower next door.

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chery-serge@
chery-serge@

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We started in Stambach; the route is very well signposted and is a must-do for discovering some beautiful sites and viewpoints.
Allow at least 5½ hours to see everything (and we are good walkers!).

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minidominik
minidominik

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, best done in fine weather as most of the route is shaded.
Several interesting stops, including castles, towers and other sites.
Busy in the final section near the Château du Haut Bar.
Technical data:
12.06 km
3 hours 12 minutes, including 2 hours 13 minutes of walking at a steady pace.
Elevation gain: 499 m
Minimum altitude 202
Maximum altitude 559

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GrosNounours67
GrosNounours67

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with lots to see... even in foggy weather! (Return trip to Haut Barr Castle not completed)
Photography enthusiasts will not be disappointed (even, or especially, in foggy weather), nor will castle enthusiasts if they take the tour...
No problem following the route with a GPS and a map.
Not many people out on Wednesday, no visitors at the two Geroldseck castles.

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hdesp
hdesp

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route through the forest, with varied and peaceful paths. Beautiful views and remarkable sites. Only the area around the three castles is very busy (close to a car park!!!).

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dany2073
dany2073
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Far too many people on the route following the first Sunday after lockdown restrictions were lifted.
At point 8, the great Geroldsek, continuing north-east, I had trouble finding the direction of Haut Barr, no compass.
At point 11, take a wide forest path? then head south. This explanation needs to be revised.

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sophiemanu
sophiemanu
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, accessible to most people, family-friendly, ideal for a pleasant return to hiking, but very crowded (on weekends).
I agree with the previous comment at the end of the description, but as there is no mention of changing the markings, you should keep the red triangle.

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Sebs14
Sebs14
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

From point 11 onwards, it is not precise enough to find the starting point, so it is recommended to quickly find a wider path, but this only really happens in the last few metres and at the hairpin bend.

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