Vieux-Thann walks

Vieux-Thann is best known for its industrial heritage. However, there are green spaces that allow you to escape this atmosphere entirely. This route takes you to discover them all. The walk passes by Saint-Dominique Church and Place Bernard Thierry-Mieg, as well as the Espace Rammersweier. Other points of interest along the route include the town hall and Place Scherrer.

This walk takes you through deciduous forests and a rocky landscape, which is unusual in the Vosges mountains, where one is more accustomed to fir and spruce trees. The variety of landscapes is another highlight: forest, meadows, orchards and vineyards.

An easy hike that can be done with children.

Le Molkenrain from Thann, via Camp de Turenne and the pyramids, with a superb view from the summit.

Hike offering beautiful views.

Thann is the starting point of the Wine Route. It is therefore a very large wine-growing region. Its history is closely linked to this industry. Situated at the entrance to the Thur Valley, this route allows you to visit the town, which is well worth a stop. Among the monuments you’ll encounter are the Saint-Thiébaut Collegiate Church and the Witches’ Tower. There are several squares and parks, such as Parc Albert1er and Place de Lattre de Tassigny... There is every reason, therefore, to stop off in this town before heading for Lorraine or Alsace.

Starting from Thann, a pleasant climb through the forest towards the Wotan Oak viewpoint (Rehbrunnel shelter) via the greenway, passing at the foot of the Drachenfells then through Heida Platzala and the Waldkapelle. Return via the Col de Grumbach, the ruins of Engelbourg Castle (Witch’s Eye), and a climb to the Croix du Rangen and its viewpoint before a pleasant descent winding through the vineyards, whilst enjoying the magnificent panoramic view over Thann and the Thur Valley.

A short hike to discover the Rangen vineyard and religious buildings.

Discover the Rangen vineyard and Thann’s medieval past.

Start from Thann Kattenbach, climb to Camp Turenne via the Croix du Rangen overlooking the grand cru of the same name. Pass by the Waldkapelle and the Rehbrunnel shelters, near the Wotan Oak and Becherkopf, to the Camp Turenne monument, then a round trip to Rocher Ostein, offering magnificent views over the Thur valley and the neighbouring Vosges peaks. Descent via Camp des Pyramides, Place des Canaris and the Roche Albert viewpoint, followed by the Greenway along the Thur and a climb to Engelbourg (Œil de la Sorcière) to enjoy the view over Thann.

The Wotan Oak stands on a rocky outcrop; five main branches emerge from the trunk at a height of 2.50m. It was given its name after 1873, drawing a parallel with the horse of the god Wotan, named Sleipnir, which had eight legs, just like this oak with its exposed roots.

A beautiful, shaded hike in a stunning forest that will take you to the heights of Thann.From there, an impressive panorama stretches towards the Alsace plain and the Swiss Jura.

The Ostein farmhouse inn, located along this hike, is a great place to quench your thirst before continuing on to Steimbach. A stop at the Ostein rock offers breathtaking views of the entire valley and the Grand Ballon.

Ascent to the summit of Molkenrain, situated opposite the Grand Ballon and next to the Hartmannswillerkopf, starting from Steinbach and passing through the viewpoints at Rehbrunnel and Rocher d’Ostein, as well as the Pyramides and Turenne camps, then returning via the Molkenrain ridge and the Col d’Herrenfluh, An accessible hike enjoying pleasant forest paths and high-altitude stubble fields that offer remarkable views and panoramas whilst passing through historic sites.

Accessible walk with two magnificent viewpoints from the Rehbrunnel rock (Wotan Oak shelter) and the Hirlenstein rock.

This beautiful, short hike is based directly on the guide of the same name published by the Cernay Tourist Office.

We did this hike in winter. There are a few difficulties, but overall it's a pleasant hike.

This hike, which presents no major difficulties, allows you to explore the immediate surroundings of Cernay and then, after crossing the vineyards and the Loh plateau, to enter the oak forest above Steinbach. A number of vantage points offer sweeping views across much of the Alsace plain as far as the Black Forest. On a clear day, certain spots also provide breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps.

A beautiful hike through forests and fields with, depending on the weather, a beautiful view of the Alps as a bonus.

This is a relatively accessible hike, taking you from viewpoint to viewpoint to Engelbourg and the Œil de la Sorcière from Bitschwiller, then gently back up along the river on the cycle path.

Starting from Bitschwiller-lès-Thann, climb to Camp Turenne via the Wickenbaechle path, the Ostein Farm Inn, the Triade shelter and Rocher d’Ostein, then climb to Molkenrain via the Friends of Nature refuge. Return via Camp Turenne, Baerenthal, Camp des Pyramides, Place des Canaris and Roche Albert. This loop walk passes numerous vantage points overlooking the Thur Valley and the surrounding peaks, such as Thanner Hubel and the Grand Ballon, as well as iconic historical sites on theFirst World War front.

Cernay is a small town with a population of 11,000. It is situated at the entrance to the Thur Valley. This route allows you to discover much of Cernay’s heritage, starting from the town’s historic centre. The walk begins near Saint-Étienne Church and then heads towards the suburbs, which bear witness to the town’s industrial past. The route then winds back and forth between the suburbs and the town centre, allowing you to discover as many historical and cultural sites as possible.

A hike in the heart of the Alsatian Vosges, combining nature and history. The trail leads to the Sielbaechlé Waterfall, nestled in the forest, then on to the Hartmannswillerkopf (Vieil-Armand), a key site of the First World War. With its waterfalls, historical remains and panoramic views over the Alsace plain, this circular route offers a complete immersion in a wild and history-steeped environment.

Uffholtz is a small village with 1,700 inhabitants. Located near Cernay, it is known to cyclists as the starting point for the ascent of the Hartmannswillerkopf and the Grand Ballon. This short route, which can be extended to include a visit to the neighbouring village of Wattwiller, allows you to discover all its heritage: Saint Erasmus Church, the 1914–1918 Shelter and its park, Schaecher Chapel and the Plague Cross, dating from 1565.

This short, pleasant walk through the woods and fields of the Alsatian countryside will introduce you to one of Bourbach-le-bas’s ‘technical’ curiosities: the ‘Petit Jardin d’Éole’, consisting of machines built by a local resident from recycled parts and powered by the wind. Along the way, you’ll also come across a botanical trail, and at the start of the walk, you’ll be treated to some lovely views of the Alsatian plain.

A lovely walk starting from the centre of the charming village of Uffholtz. It circles the bucolic Loh plateau, where orchards, vineyards, meadows and farmland alternate. It ventures into the Uffholtz communal forest to climb up to the Schletzenburg promontory with its magnificent old oak tree. On the way back, the walk follows the Egelbach stream.

A lovely walk starting from the centre of the charming village of Uffholtz. It circles the bucolic Loh plateau, where orchards, vineyards, meadows and crops alternate. It ventures into the Uffholtz communal forest to enjoy a refreshing shaded passage halfway along a very open route where the sun can be intense. On the way back, the walk follows the Egelbach stream.

Starting from the village of Uffholtz, you will walk to Wattwiller, passing through the vineyards on the hill overlooking the two villages.

Set off to meet the storks of Cernay from the charming little village of Uffholtz, passing by numerous points of interest and beautiful views of the region. In good weather, you will also be able to see the Alps!

A very accessible circuit starting from the Rammersmatt farm towards Bourbach-le-Haut, passing by the Hochburg chalet. A hike that everyone can follow at their own pace.

Between unspoilt nature and the pretty villages of Roderen and Rammersmatt, enjoy the beautiful panoramic views and wide open spaces offered by this part of Alsace. A varied walk through fields, orchards, farm animals, etc.

A magnificent walk through the forest on the hills above Wattwiller. The route starts along the Siehlbaechle stream, leading to the waterfall of the same name. A climb up to the Pointe Superbe offers a breathtaking view of the plain before you begin the descent down the trench known as the ‘Suisse Lippique’, where you’ll discover numerous First World War bunkers – a real treat for young adventurers with all the exploring it offers. The route ends with a botanical trail where you can discover the region’s flora.

A cool forest walk on the southern slopes of the Hartmannswillerkopf massif, a major site of remembrance of the Great War. Forest trail along a steep ravine, waterfall, drier conditions at higher altitudes, passage at the Hirtzenstein rock and return to the starting point. The route is punctuated with remnants of the fighting that raged in 1915.

A circular walk around Michelbach dam with views over the Swiss Alps and 'Le Grand Ballon d'Alsace' on a clear day. Perfect spot for wildlife spotting. Along the way there are many signs giving some information about what to see and the history.

A lovely family walk through forests and along riverbanks. Discover this dam, built between 1979 and 1982, which regulates the water table and ensures the supply of drinking water to the Mulhouse conurbation and its surroundings. It is a protected area; come and spot the birds in its nature reserve.

The existence of the Cantine is directly linked to the Great War of 1914–18. German and French troops fought for control of the summit of the Hartmannswillerkopf, known locally by the abbreviation HWK, which offered a breathtaking view of the Rhine plain. The German sector 2 headquarters was established in casemates.

Located above the village of Wattwiller, nestled against the slopes of the southern Vosges, this hike is ideal if you want to enjoy views overlooking the village, walk through vineyards or enjoy the coolness of the forest. The start and end points are at the car park in front of the François Schneider Foundation. The route is not difficult and the paths are very well marked.

Located in the south of the Haut-Rhin, Wattwiller has long been known for its thermal springs. Today, its water is still used in our bottles. This route allows you to discover much of its heritage, notably its four fountains, the Church of Saint John the Baptist and the François Schneider Foundation museum. This route includes a short detour that gives you an overview of the village. To round off the route, we recommend combining it with a visit to neighbouring villages such as Uffolthz or Berrwiller.

A beautiful hike from Wattwiller to Hartmannswillerkopf, then Molkenrain, Freundstein with the remains of the castle, and back through the bunkers and trenches of the First World War. There are many places to eat along the hike. Just under 7 hours of walking, not counting long breaks.

A very beautiful walk around a lake with views of the Vosges mountains and a bird observation post.

Enjoy a beautiful unobstructed view of the Thann valley from the Blaufels shelter. The route is shaded as it is mainly in the forest, ideal for hot summer days.

The Hartmannswillerkopf (Viel Armand in French) was the scene of fierce fighting throughout 1915. Losses amounted to 50,000 dead, evenly divided between the two sides. This hike pays tribute to these soldiers by following part of their trenches. It begins with the ascent of the massif, following the German fortified trenches to the summit where the necropolis is located. The return route descends via the French side, the "Chemin des Dames".

The Grand Ballon is the highest peak in the Vosges. Most people reach the Grand Ballon by road. This peak is also accessible on foot from Florival or from Markstein. This route involves ascending from the Étang de la Griedelmatt. It is a route best suited to fit and active walkers, as it involves climbing over 1,000 metres in elevation. The ascent takes place through woodland for 85% of the route. Only the final few kilometres are exposed. From its height of 1,424 metres, the Grand Ballon offers a splendid view that stretches as far as the Alps on a clear day. The descent takes place in two stages: the first part alternates between woodland and meadows down to the pretty village of Goldbach. The rest of the route, and the end of the hike, is entirely through the forest.