Wisches walks

Starting from Lutzelhouse; beautiful hike with several viewpoints over the Bruche Valley and the Alsace plain. Best done in spring/summer/autumn. In winter, you will need snowshoes for the higher ground.

A beautiful hike with magnificent views of the Bruche Valley, the Langenberg, the Donon and the Champs du Feu. A circuit encompassing magical places such as the Jardin des Fées (Fairy Garden) and the Porte de Pierre (Stone Gate), with its highest point at 1,008 metres, the Rocher de Mutzig. The signposting is a little sparse in places, so the IGN 3716ET map is essential.

A very pretty hike on the western side of the Bruche Valley. The Mutzig Rock, rising to 1,010 metres, offers remarkable views of the valley and the surrounding mountains, such as the Donon, the Schneeberg and the Champ du Feu. The Porte de Pierre is a natural monument of pink sandstone sculpted by erosion. It is an astonishing discovery, this block perched there as if it came from nowhere, plunging you into a half-dream.

Hike that goes around Grendelbruch on its southern side. Passes through several mountain passes and offers magnificent views at Schelmeck and Falkenstein peak. A little bit of tarmac at the start (crossing Grendelbruch) then a mix of forest paths, trails through woods and meadows.

A lovely, easy walk with many breathtaking views of the Bruche Valley, the Donon, the Wisches quarry, the Alsace plain and the Château du Guirabden. This is a simple circuit in terms of length and elevation, with a mix of forest paths and trails through either forest or pastureland.

This hike is not particularly difficult and offers magnificent views of the valleys and the Donon. It combines a forest path with a balcony view and a forest crossing.

From the mountain village of Grendelbruch, this loop, mainly located south of this village of 1,250 inhabitants, sets off to explore the Piton du Falkenstein, a magnificent rocky outcrop offering a beautiful view of the Bruche Valley. This hike continues via the Col du Bruchberg, the climb through the stubble fields to the Signal de Grendelbruch and its 360° view, then follows the climb to Hohbuhl through the forest. Next, pleasant trails take you to the Col du Beyerlager and then to the Col de la Franzur. You will make some magnificent discoveries, alternating between village streets, forest, undergrowth, thatched roofs, forest roads and pretty little trails. And there are plenty of viewpoints!

Rediscover the largest fortified castle in Alsace, currently undergoing restoration.

This hike takes you past the Grendelbruch Rock and the Breitsteige Rocks. Unfortunately, the latter are increasingly hidden by vegetation. There are other rocks that are more easily accessible: see § Practical information. In the description, however, I will indicate a way to avoid the most difficult parts.

Here is a short hike to quickly and easily discover Purpurkopf. Recent archaeological excavations suggest that it is the oldest castle in Alsace and not a Celtic camp. There is a lot of information and videos on the internet. It is located in the commune of Rosheim, not far from Grendelbruch.

A short, easy hike passing through places with evocative names: Goldbrunnen (golden fountain), Carrières d'Or (golden quarries) and Purpurkopf, an ancient Celtic and Roman site.

Nideck Waterfall, Ruins of Nideck Castle, Schneeberg, Ruins of Petit Ringelsberg, Ruins of Grand Rengelsberg.

This is a pleasant and easy walk in the forest, requiring no great physical fitness as most of the route is on forest roads. Please follow the practical information regarding the signposting.

This relatively short circuit is ideal for family walks with children (please note that it does have a significant elevation gain). It takes you to the Oberhaslach Forest, where you can see the strange sculptures that are part of the Sandweg Symposium. It is a walk that combines art and nature for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy your hike!

Le Nideck is well known and quite popular. This circuit takes you past several points of interest and has a few pleasant surprises in store. It has the advantage of passing through some uncrowded areas and along a slightly exposed path with beautiful views. The hike does not include the bottom of the waterfall, which can however be easily reached by adding a 50m climb.

A short, unpretentious route passing by the ruins of the Grand and Petit Ringelstein castles. Small viewpoint of the valley at Grand Ringelstein Castle. Route circuit, but steep in places.

Landscapes of the Northern Vosges, combining unspoilt nature, medieval ruins and forgotten legends. Passing by Hohenstein Castle and its belvedere, the hike crosses the Petit Ringeslberg and offers a return trip to the Rocher du Pfaffenlapp, a spectacular rock formation. Then head for the Kasperlehepp Pond, nestled in a small clearing, a peaceful body of water surrounded by reeds and ferns. Continuing the climb, you reach the ruins of Nideck Castle, perched on a rocky promontory. Further on, below, a path accessible by steps allows you to approach the Nideck Waterfall, some twenty metres high, which cascades down a basalt wall, forming a circular loop rich in discoveries. Legend has it that a young giantess, while walking here, discovered a tiny man in a field. Intrigued, she took him back to her father, giving rise to the legend of the Giants of Nideck, immortalised by the Brothers Grimm.

A short, easy hike offering a beautiful waterfall in both summer and winter, as well as stunning views.

Let's follow the route that prisoners took in all weathers from Rothau station to the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp. They were not equipped with hiking boots or sticks to climb this mountain.

The climb from the Ringelstahl Forest House to the Fallenlapp rock (altitude 650m) through a beautiful beech forest will take you to a magnificent viewpoint over the entrance to the Bruche Valley. The place is enchanting, ideal for meditation or a picnic. A little further on, the Breitberg rock also offers an interesting viewpoint.The elevation gain to Fallenlapp is significant (approximately 170m) but remains reasonable.

This balcony trail offers a pleasant walk to discover the trees and plants of the local flora overlooking the village of Natzwiller and offers beautiful views of the picturesque landscape of the Rothaine valley. A variant along the way gives you the option of a round trip to a important memorial site.

Hike to the Champ du Feu by climbing up the Serva

A short hike up one of the most famous peaks in the Vosges du Nord, famous for its Gallo-Roman remains and from where you can enjoy a wide panorama. The ascent is more gradual and less busy than the descent.

Guirbaden is a ruined castle built on the Mollberg hill above Mollkirch. Its ruins are considered the most important in Alsace.

This circular walk takes you from the pastures of the Grendelbruch heights to Schirmeck and the Donon, returning via the Bruche valley. It takes in roads, forest roads, forest paths and cycle routes.

This is a legendary site, as rich in history as it is in legends. A magnificent place where you can let your body and mind wander. The Donon massif is a unique site, steeped in mystery, whose role as a link between the Rhine plain and the Lorraine plateau has been steadily growing since prehistoric times.

On a steep hillside above the village of Mollkirch, this trail invites you to discover the mysteries of the forest. Druids, elves, dolmens and stones dot the trail, along with a dozen information panels. The walk also includes a visit to one of the largest fortresses in Alsace: Guirbaden Castle.

Circuit passing through the peaks of Grand and Petit Donon, using the marked trails of the Club Vosgiens and theGR®5. Forestry work is taking place for one month until May 2024 between (10) and (11).

Walk at 1,000 metres in the forests around Rothlach. Curiosities, places of remembrance and breathtaking views make this hike a successful outing.

This first stage is probably the hardest day of the route. Beautiful views, pleasant trails and few forest roads. A steep climb at the end of the day explains the "Difficult" rating.

Three days of hiking and camping around the Val de Senones, passing by beautiful viewpoints. Campsites at the Tête du Coquin and the Haute Loge.

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.

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.

Nice walk into the woodlands with a viewpoint over the Rocher du Hohwalsch. The viewpoint at the rocher du Hohwalschplatz gives you a nice view of the surroundings, even until the lake of Gondrexange.

A pleasant short hike through the hills and forests of Hohwald.