5 places for nature walks around Strasbourg

Map of green spaces near Strasbourg

Here’s a map of our favorite walking spots around Strasbourg. If you’re looking for green spaces in Strasbourg, check out our article on Strasbourg’s parks and gardens.

1. Pourtalès park, Wantzenau and Robertsau forest

Pourtalès Park is located in the northeast of the city in the quiet, upscale neighborhood of Robertsau. It’s a bit farther away—about 5 km from downtown—and less accessible, but you can get close by bus or tram, then expect a 10- to 20-minute walk to the main entrance on Rue Mélanie. If you’re driving, there are several parking lots available.

Pourtalès is a vast 24-hectare park laid out in the English style and known for its historic 18th-century castle of the same name, which has been converted into a hotel. It’s much quieter and offers a more exotic atmosphere than Strasbourg’s other parks. You can explore it on foot or on two wheels—a bike path runs through the park—or on four legs; it’s not uncommon to come across horseback riders. It’s the perfect park for long walks. As you wander through the park, you’ll come face-to-face with a few works of contemporary art.

As you walk along the Piste des Forts, you find yourself deep within the Robertsau and Wantzenau Forests, which are more untamed. Designated a national nature reserve (493 ha), it is crossed by the Ill River, which continues its course to the town of Wantzenau, north of Strasbourg.

With kilometers of marked trails, several ponds, picnic areas, streams, waterfalls, meadows, forest lodges, a fitness trail, a horseback riding trail, and a botanical trail for exploring the local flora and fauna, the landscape is diverse and there’s something for everyone.

📍 161 Rue Mélanie, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

2. Forests of Strasbourg – Neuhof and Illkirch-Graffenstaden

A lovely getaway south of the city…Adjacent to the Rohrschollen Reserve, located between the Neuhof neighborhood and the town of Illkirch-Graffenstaden, the Neuhof-Illkirch Reserve Forest is also designated a national nature reserve. It’s the perfect place to get some fresh air, just 4 km from downtown!

It can be reached from the Ganzau neighborhood or the Stockfeld housing complex on foot, by bike, by bus, or by car. There are 4 entrances and 2 parking lots nearby. This vast protected area spans 945 hectares and is largely covered by forest (890 hectares); the reserve also features grasslands, meadows, ponds, small bodies of water, and four streams that crisscross it, including the famous Rhin Tortu and the Schwarzwasser. Suffice it to say that the flora and fauna are extremely diverse.

Like the Robertsau Forest, there are numerous marked hiking trails, a bike path, and a trail for horseback riders. After your walk, you can stop by a beautiful Alsatian house right near the main entrance, which is home to the traditional restaurant Oberjaegerhof.

📍 Route de l’Oberjaegerhof, 67100 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

3. Rohrschollen nature reserve

To explore nature and observe biodiversity right on the city’s doorstep, this large 157-hectare island is nestled between the Alsace Canal and the Old Rhine (and thus Germany). The Rhine Forest here is almost completely untouched, and aquatic habitats are everywhere.

For birdwatching enthusiasts, an observation deck offers a chance to admire the 158 species recorded on the island. You’ll be treated to a veritable symphony of birds. With its small wooden walkways lined with a carpet of wild garlic (a beautiful sight when in bloom), marshes, and vines, the island is best explored on foot, and the landscapes are varied. Along the way, you’ll also come across a few Scottish cows grazing .

You can reach the Reserve by passing through the Neuhof neighborhood or via the Port du Rhin, both located at the southernmost tip of the city. It’s also possible to get there by tram or bike, but it’s best to drive, as the Reserve—which is quite isolated—is located 7.5 km from downtown. Park in the EDF hydroelectric power plant parking lot and enjoy a unique little attraction! You’ll be able to watch barges and cargo ships pass through the lock chambers of the Canal d’Alsace on their way to the Rhine.

📍 18 Route du Rohrschollen, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

4. Friedel park, Illkirch

Parc Friedel, located in Illkirch-Graffenstaden (near Strasbourg), is more of an animal park, aimed at a public in diapers! On this 2-hectare educational farm, domestic and farmyard animals frolic happily about. Cows, goats, pigs, donkeys and even peacocks and llamas – some 180 animals and birds for children to feed and care for.

📍 Rue du Girlenhirsch, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden 🔗 More info

5. Fort Uhrich park, Illkirch

Fort Uhrich is another green gem in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, which we’ve already mentioned in our article on parks and gardens in Alsace. It’s part of the Piste des Forts, an 85 km cycling loop linking 14 former military sites between the Strasbourg region and Germany.

You can reach Fort Uhrich directly from Strasbourg via the picturesque Rhône-Rhine Canal. In the park, small trails offer views of the old, water-filled moats where ducks splash about and water lilies bloom. Signs explain the flora, fauna, and history of the fort, which was built by the Prussians between 1873 and 1876 and then burned down in 1944. Never rebuilt, the site has been reclaimed by nature, which is part of its charm.

The magnificent trees and idyllic setting make you feel like you’re right out in the countryside. It’s a unique outing for families, friends, or couples, with picnic tables for sunny days!

📍 4 Route du Fort Uhrich, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden 🔗 More info

Key Takeaways on Nature Walks Around Strasbourg

• Pourtalès Park (5 km) offers tranquility and works of art surrounded by nature
• The Neuhof-Illkirch Forest (4 km) is the nature reserve closest to the city center
• The Rohrschollen Nature Reserve (7.5 km) is a favorite among birdwatchers
• Friedel Park is perfect for a family outing with pets
• Fort Uhrich offers a unique stroll through history and nature

Looking for more green ideas? Check out our 10 favorite parks and gardens in Strasbourg.

Your questions about nature walks around Strasbourg