Witternheim walks

Hike around the Witternheim bench with fun signs created in collaboration with the municipality and the Maison de la Nature de Muttersholtz. Long tour marked by the Club Vosgien with a red ring.

This is a hike in the Ried region, consisting of two circular routes in one. The Lutter Route (Green Ring) and the Ill Route (Blue Ring). You can do both circular routes or just one of them. It is fairly easy as there are no steep slopes. The route starts at the Benfeld lake and then crosses forests and fields, following the Lutter, Muhlbach and Ill rivers along forest paths and trails (very little tarmac).

A beautiful, easy walk in the Grand Ried in Rhinau, between fields and forest near the Rhine, surrounded by springs and streams with exceptionally clear water and blockhouses. Suitable for children.

A route through the Taubergiessen National Nature Reserve, in the German part of Rhinau, along the Old Rhine with views of Rhinau Island and a short detour to Europa-Park (Rust). This is a thousand-hectare nature reserve owned by the French commune of Rhinau on German territory (650 ha of forest and 350 ha of meadows or fields). I was lucky enough to spot roe deer, swans and herons.

In the Ried region of Alsace, the landscape is made up of numerous wet meadows. Throughout your walk, you will find information boards explaining the history of the Ried. Trail not accessible in case of flooding.

A short tour of the village of Osthouse and its surroundings. Numerous waterways, meadows and shady forests will enhance your journey. The castle and church are also worth a visit.

An unpretentious walk, ideal in autumn or winter to avoid muddy paths. Beautiful Romanesque Sainte-Marguerite Chapel along the route. The route often follows the Club Vosgien's Anneau Bleu route, which goes around Epfig.

A circular route with virtually no elevation gain, through the shaded forest on the German side of the Rhine. Part of the route follows a signposted path known as the “Schnakenpfad” (the snail trail), which is approximately 7.5 km long. It is located near Lac de Gravier to the west, between the villages of Ottenheim-Schwanau and Meißenheim. This path is aptly named, as the locals also call it “Schnoogepfad” (the Mosquito Trail), because in summer it is teeming with them. The route alternates between small lakes, streams, charming little wooden bridges, footpaths, tracks of varying widths, tarmac roads and a few pavements at the start and finish in the streets of the village of Ottenheim-Schwanau. The whole route is easily accessible. There are several shelters with tables and benches along the way. Suitable walking shoes are nevertheless recommended. Dogs must be kept on a lead! The area is rich in wildlife and you’ll also come across beautiful wild geese.

Vine growing is an integral part of the Alsatian landscape. There is also a route named after it. This route is the fifth stage of the vineyard walk and connects Dambach-la-Ville to Obernai. There are numerous vantage points, indeed they are almost everywhere outside the villages. The villages themselves are very typical, with pretty half-timbered houses and undeniable charm. The region’s heritage is equally well represented.

This is a lovely walk in the plains of the river Ill, which will let you to escape for two hours from the bustle of this area popular with tourists. In summer you'll be nice and cool, thanks to the many streams and towering trees.

Hiking trail from Sélestat station, easily accessible from many towns in Alsace, to Ribeauvillé, from where you can return to Sélestat station by bus. The route offers magnificent views of the Vosges mountains from the outskirts of Sélestat, with Kintzheim Castle and Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle on your left, the village of Châtenois opposite you, and Ramstein and Ortenbourg castles above Scherwiller on your right. You will pass through part of Châtenois before tackling the climb to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, a major tourist attraction in Alsace. You will finally end your journey in the middle of the vineyards, between Bergheim, a charming fortified village in the foothills of the Vosges, and Ribeauvillé, your destination.

I suggest an online hike. The starting point is Barr station, which is easily accessible by train from Strasbourg. The finish is at Obernai station, from where you can easily catch a train back to Strasbourg; there are services every hour on weekdays. The route will take you through the villages of Barr, Saint-Nabor, Bernardswiller and the town of Obernai, first through the vineyards and then into the forest on the slopes of Mont Sainte-Odile. You’ll be able to admire the ruins of the imposing Château du Landsberg (12th century). You can visit Hohenbourg Abbey, founded in 680 by Saint Odile, patron saint of Alsace, and admire the ruins of Niedermünster Abbey below. Enjoy exploring!

A circular route starting from Barr station, accessible by train from Strasbourg or Sélestat, or even further afield with connections. A route that begins in town, climbs through the vineyards, then into the mountains where two magnificent castles await you!

A short walk along the water's edge, pleasant in all seasons and appealing to adults, children and pets (on a lead) alike. With a bit of luck, you may see many animals, including kingfishers, as well as traces of beavers. In fine weather, this route is ideal for a picnic by the water's edge.

Hike between fields and forest near Nordhouse. Pass through the village of Hipsheim and return via the Rhône-Rhine canal. Pass by the Borne 2000 monument in Nordhouse.

An easy hike that will take you to the two castles of Andlau: Andlau and Spesbourg.

A lovely route through the foothills of the Vosges, passing through small Alsatian villages (Barr, Heiligenstein, Saint-Nabor) and returning via abbeys and castles in the forest.

The eleventh stage of the journey through the Vosges proposed by Passion Vosges magazine, published by Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace and L’Alsace, is also one of the longest of the trip. Starting from the vineyards, it will take you through the foothill forests via the Ungersberg Pass before reaching the small town of Châtenois and its ramparts. A report on this eleventh stage by Olivier Terrenère can be found in Passion Vosges.

A pleasant route through vineyards and forests with beautiful scenery. Option to take a detour to Andlau Castle. Suitable for hot weather.

A circular walk from Barr to the imposing Landsberg Castle. The first section takes you through the vineyards towards Bannholz, then through the forest via the Truttenhausen Estate. Return via the Sentier des Chameaux. You’ll then return to Barr and its beautiful half-timbered houses.

A beautiful 14 km round trip hike via Landsberg Castle to Mont Sainte-Odile. Superb views of the Barr region, the Alsace plain and, in good weather, the Black Forest in Germany.

This circuit, which alternates between fields and forests on the hillsides, offers breathtaking views of the Alsace plain and, more specifically, the Obernai region. You will also discover the ruins of Truttenhausen Abbey and the Barr geological trail. Enjoy your walk!

This is a short, easy hike along cycle paths, roads, field tracks and forest paths. Views of the Vosges mountains and Mont Sainte-Odile. Please note that the path is quite muddy in the Plon forest.

A beautiful hike through vineyards, orchards, villages and forests in the hills around Obernai and Ottrott with beautiful views.

Stop off on the Alsace Wine Route, at the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile, and discover Bernardswiller and its surroundings on this easy walk.