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Windstein walks
The castles of Windstein, Wittschloessel and Wineck
Visorando Member
8.81 mi
+1,677 ft
-1,667 ft
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Windstein (Bas-Rhin)
The village of Windstein, nestled in a valley in the Northern Vosges, is the ideal starting point for visiting the many ruined castles in the surrounding area.
The hike takes in the two castles of Wittschloessel and Wineck. It is possible to add Schoeneck Castle by temporarily deviating from the route.
The Windstein Castles
1.64 mi
+407 ft
-427 ft
1h 05
Easy
Departure from Windstein (Bas-Rhin)
Set in a magnificent natural setting, this walk takes you to discover two remarkable castles in ruins that will appeal to children and adults alike: Vieux Windstein, an ancient structure built into the rock with its staircases and underground chambers, and Nouveau Windstein with its impressive shield walls, residential towers and pointed-arch gates.
Route des cinq châteaux vers Windstein
14.69 mi
+2,746 ft
-2,740 ft
9h 10
Very difficult
Departure from Windstein (Bas-Rhin)
Northern Alsace is renowned for its castles. This route allows you to explore five of them: Nouveau and Vieux Windstein, Wittschloessel, Wineck and Schoeneck. A detour also allows you to see the ‘Man’s Rock’ and ‘Woman’s Rock’, as well as a magnificent view over Dambach and Neunhoffen. This is a walk that constantly alternates between ascents and descents through the forest, some easier than others. Only the section towards Dambach is flat.
The Jaegerthal Forges and the Castles of Windstein
6.45 mi
+988 ft
-988 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Windstein (Bas-Rhin)
A pleasant, easy walk, mainly along wide forest paths, offering the chance to discover the Jaegerthal Forges, the castles of Nouveau and Vieux Windstein, and a few blockhouses.
Castles, rocks and remains of the Maginot Line in the Northern Vosges
16.39 mi
+3,150 ft
-3,163 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Windstein (Bas-Rhin)
This is a large circular hike starting from Jaegerthal, the birthplace of the De Dietrich family, with its castle, park and the remains of the first forge near the car park. It is a long but peaceful hike, with a succession of small "bumps" and dotted with numerous fortified castles and remarkable rocks. The first part follows the "Sentier de la Ligne Maginot" (Maginot Line Trail) with a succession of bunkers in a surprisingly good state of preservation.
Loop of the 5 castles
10.28 mi
+2,165 ft
-2,136 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Bas-Rhin
This hike in the Northern Vosges will allow you to discover five castles which, although less well known than Fleckenstein, are just as worthy of a visit! Much of the walk takes place on small forest paths, making it very pleasant in hot weather.
From Hohenfels to Grand Wintersberg
7.26 mi
+1,263 ft
-1,260 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Bas-Rhin
Hike between a semi-troglodytic castle and the highest point in the Northern Vosges.
Circuit, rocks and castles around Obersteinbach
7.34 mi
+1,460 ft
-1,430 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Obersteinbach (Bas-Rhin)
This trail takes you to rocks and castles with magnificent, unobstructed views of the valley and Obersteinbach.
You can visit the Bohemian Rock or "Tziganes", Wasigenstein Castle, Petit Arnsberg Castle and Wachtfels Rock with its breathtaking view.
There is a short stretch of tarmac at the start and end of the hike.
This is a fairly easy hike, but I have rated it as moderately difficult due to its length.
The Wolfartshoffen lake in Reichshoffen
3.06 mi
+217 ft
-210 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from Reichshoffen (Bas-Rhin)
A pleasant little walk near Reichshoffen in a quiet part of the Neuwald Forest, ending with a view overlooking the Wolfartshoffen lake.
Franco-German trail from castle to castle - Part 2
9.96 mi
+2,310 ft
-2,310 ft
6h 35
Difficult
Departure from Obersteinbach (Bas-Rhin)
The trail marked with the "Premiumweg" label is a meeting point between Alsace and the Palatinate, between
The Northern Vosges and the Wasgau: two of the most beautiful natural sites in Europe thanks to their landscape of endless forests, pink sandstone rocks rising towards the sky and remarkable castle ruins. This 33 km trail was originally divided into two circular loops. Here is the second part, covering 16 km.
Wolfartshoffen lake, Windstein and Jaegerthal castles
12.93 mi
+1,759 ft
-1,752 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Reichshoffen (Bas-Rhin)
A pleasant walk that mainly follows wide forest tracks. The paths present no major difficulty, apart from the access to the Windstein ruins.
You will pass, in particular, the magnificent ruins of the Jaegerthal Forge, the birthplace of the De Dietrich factory, which was founded on 5 April 1685.
Le Grand Wintersberg
7.11 mi
+1,394 ft
-1,371 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Niederbronn-les-Bains (Bas-Rhin)
Circular hike starting from the Celtic spring with ascent of the Grand Wintersberg, 581 m, the highest point in the Northern Vosges, and return via the Col de la Liese chalet (belonging to the Club Vosgien) and the Heidenkopf shelter.
Ascent and tour of Grand Wintersberg
8.77 mi
+1,362 ft
-1,339 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Niederbronn-les-Bains (Bas-Rhin)
Ascent of the Grand Wintersberg, the highest point in the Northern Vosges, via a steep path. Return via a different, equally narrow path. Take care in wet weather or when the paths are snow-covered.
From La Wasenbourg to the Grand Wintersberg
11.57 mi
+2,182 ft
-2,169 ft
7h 15
Difficult
Departure from Niederbronn-les-Bains (Bas-Rhin)
A very beautiful, challenging hike that takes us from the Source du Lichteneck to the ruins of Wasenbourg Castle and on to the Grand Wintersberg, passing through the hamlet of Breitenwasen. The climb up to Wintersberg is steep and requires good stamina. Walking poles will prove particularly useful here. For the more motivated, this route is perfect for a trail running training session as it combines ascents, descents and technical sections.
Wasenbourg Castle - Col de l'Ungerthal
7.76 mi
+1,394 ft
-1,371 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Niederbronn-les-Bains (Bas-Rhin)
Hike in the forest of Niederbronn-les-Bains to discover Wasenbourg Castle and then the Col de l'Ungerthal.
The castles of Wasenbourg and Grand Arnsbourg and Notre-Dame de Wasenberg
9.36 mi
+1,378 ft
-1,368 ft
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Niederbronn-les-Bains (Bas-Rhin)
A lovely forest walk in the hills above Niederbronn-les-Bains, taking in the Reisberg hill, the archaeological and historical sites of Wasenbourg, the Charles Mathis discovery trail, and continuing along theGR® 53 to the ruined castle of Grand Arnsbourg. The return route takes you over the Schlangenthal Pass, alongside the Falkensteinbach stream and past the Notre-Dame du Wasenberg Chapel.
More walks in Windstein
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