Walks and hikes in Alsace – Our 25 walking ideas

Are you looking for ideas for walks in Alsace? There is really an embarrassment of riches to choose from as we are lucky enough to live in a magnificent region with varied landscapes… To guide you, the My weekend in Alsace team has selected some nice walks to do in Alsace: from the family walk to the sporty hike in the Vosges and from the north to the south of Alsace, here are several ideas of walks in loop, all tested and approved as always!

These walks and hikes are listed in ascending order of distance. However, remember to also take into account the difference in altitude (which we also indicate), it is the combination of the distance and the difference in altitude that determines the ease or difficulty of a walk. To help you find your way around, hiking applications exist and are very practical!

Panoramic tour of the Grand Ballon (by Clémence)

The Grand Ballon is the highest peak in Alsace, but don’t worry, you can have a nice walk there! The panoramic tour of the Grand Ballon is a nice walk, short but climbing quite a bit and offers beautiful panoramic views!

GeoVino hike in Riquewihr on the Wine Route (by Clémence)

The concept of GeoVino? Combine a nice walk in the Alsatian vineyard and quench your thirst for knowledge on the theme of wines AND geology, to become untelligible on the rocks that give the so particular notes to our local beverages… A perfect walk also with children since it is very short.

Nideck waterfall (by Laurène)

The Nideck waterfall in Oberhaslach is one of the most famous places for walks in Alsace. It must be said that the place is pleasant: the waterfall is impressive and provides a pleasant coolness in the beautiful days! You can do the classic short circuit or opt for a longer hike, because the surroundings are full of beautiful hiking trails!

The Michelbach dam, an easy walk (by Charlotte)

The tour of the Aspach-Michelbach lake is a nice walk which allows you to discover, among other things, the dam of the village. In addition, it is enough to go around the water, impossible to get lost!

The tour starts with a small paved road, the part I like the least, especially when it’s hot – but which allows to have a nice view on the dam. We arrive then on a forest road, where we go along the water under the cover of trees.

All along the route, there are explanatory panels to discover the fauna and flora and there is even an observatory where you can climb to observe the birds. One passes near pretty meadows, one has a beautiful sight on the mountains in the distance… even the small part where one skirts the houses of Michelbach is sympathetic because certain inhabitants decorated their fences. It’s a walk I like to do regularly, accessible to all!

Stroller path of the Urbeis pass (by Vivine)

It’s not always easy to find an idea for a stroller-friendly walk… Fortunately, there are stroller trails, including the one at the Col d’Urbeis, for example! A nice easy walk in the forest, ideal with a child and pleasant for parents who can enjoy the beauty of the landscapes and views.

Walk to the Hohwald waterfall (by Vivine)

This is a nice walk that can be suitable even for little ones since it is possible to take a “special little one” option by walking only 2km round trip… which does not prevent from enjoying the beauty of the landscapes and especially the superb Hohwald waterfall! You can also make the more classic walk, a beautiful loop of 6km.

Hike from the North Pagan Wall to Mont Ste Odile (by Léa)

A mysterious old wall with moss-covered stones, impressive castle ruins, a magnificent view of the Alsace plain, animal sculptures to be found along the way… The path of the northern pagan wall, around the Mont Saint-Odile is really one of my favorite walks!

Hike from Leymen to Marienstein (by Clémence)

Here is a nice walk to do with your family, between Alsace and Switzerland. The Sundgau, the southernmost region of Alsace, is full of little known treasures. Leymen is no exception to the rule, especially when the village is associated in an itinerary with its neighbor in the canton of Solothurn, Mariastein…

Pfaffenlapp Rock Hike (by Léa)

Are you looking for a short hike, a bit sporty but not too much, with a nice view as a reward? This is what you need: the Pfaffenlapp rock hike, on the heights ofOberhaslach, a small village in the Bruche Valley.

Hiking in the Petit Ballon (by Laurène)

This is an ideal route for a short day hike or to watch the sunset… It’s fast but it climbs quite a bit since the goal is to reach the Petit Ballon and to have a picnic there before going down quietly. The view is magnificent!

The Bollenberg: between orchids and witches (by Vincent)

Located above the village of Orschwihr in the heart of the vineyard, this beautiful and mysterious hill is not lacking in charm. In spring or autumn, it offers an ideal spot for walking or hiking with the family with its small slopes and gentle vineyard landscapes.

Called “the hill of the witches”, the Bollenberg is a land of legends (we still celebrate every summer the “Fire of the witches” Haxafir and the Celts, Romans and Merovingians stayed there) but also a natural site of exception! Born on a geological fault (still visible in some places), this limestone hillock shelters a Mediterranean microclimate with a unique fauna and flora: wild orchids, salamanders, butterflies, birds.

This easy walk will allow you to discover the richness of this exceptional site. You will see the famous chapel and will also cross the Domaine du Bollenberg, with its inn, its spa hotel, its wines and its brandies!

The wiser ones will be able to finish the walk at the spa and the others will be able to appreciate the benefits of the exceptional sunshine on the wine which is produced here (many wine growers will also open the doors of their cellars in Orschwihr).

Hike to the Castle of Guirbaden (by Laurène)

Here is a nice easy hike that will lead you to the discovery of the largest castle in Alsace, the castle of Guirbaden, located in Mollkirch in the Bruche Valley. It’s really impressive and the walk also offers some nice gaps in the forest to admire the view!

Hike to the castles of Wangenbourg and Freudeneck (by Laurène)

Here is a nice idea for an easy hike in a part of Alsace nicknamed“The Little Switzerland of Alsace” because of its wooded and hilly landscapes. The route allows you to walk in the forest, to discover two beautiful castles, to have a beautiful view from the tower of the castle of Wangenbourg, and to observe beautiful blocks of pink sandstone typical of the Northern Vosges. A nice program, isn’t it?

Hike of Hilsenfirst and Sidi Brahim (by Léa)

This is a somewhat sporty hike for those who want to climb a little: there is quite a bit of elevation change for the distance. The landscapes encountered are magnificent, between the charm of the forest and the beauty of the view from the top of Hilsenfirst. Without forgetting the moving passage to the memorial of Sidi Brahim, witness of a battle having taken place here.

Hike around the Mont Saint-Michel (by Laurène)

Here is a nice and easy hike to do starting from an unusual place: the Alsatian Mont Saint-Michel , an energetic place from which you have a magnificent panorama on Saverne and its surroundings. This hike follows the route of the archaeological circuit, which is really pleasant: forest, beautiful panoramas and archaeological remains are on the program!

3 Rochers hike in La Petite Pierre (by Laurène)

Want to get away from it all while staying in Alsace? I propose you the hike of the 3 rocks in La Petite Pierre, which will make you discover impressive rocks in pink sandstone of Vosges. There is a little air of Colorado, it is exotic!

Sentier des Roches, one of the most beautiful in Alsace (by Vivine)

The Sentier des Roches is without doubt the most famous hike in Alsace. It is reserved for experienced hikers because of the narrow and aerial passages and should never be undertaken in rainy weather because of the (very) slippery rocks. All these elements are to be taken into account but it is a sublime hike in Alsace!

Hiking in the Raemelsberg in the Alsatian Jura (by Laurène)

This is probably one of my favorite hikes, because of the beauty of the landscapes but also because it is quite different from the ones you can do in general in the rest of Alsace. It takes us to the south of Alsace, to discover the panoramas of the Alsatian and Swiss Jura. Very beautiful points of view since we walk on the ridge line, and even a small incursion on the Swiss side to get a change of scenery 😉

3 lakes hike, a classic of the Vosges (by Laurène)

The 3 lakes hike is a must for any hike in the Vosges: it is a magnificent hike passing by the White, Black and Trout lakes (of Forlet). There is a little bit of difference in altitude but not too much, so it is accessible while offering magnificent views: a great program, isn’t it?

Hike to the Hohneck (by Léa)

Flowery meadows, shady forests, winding and steep paths, a magnificent panorama of the Vosges… This is the program of this hike to the Hohneck! This hike, which passes by the natural reserve of Frankenthal-Missheimle, will enchant you with the diversity of the crossed landscapes… And its sporting side!

Hiking in the Pays de Bitche in Moselle (by Laurène)

For this hike, we leave Alsace to go to our neighbors from Lorraine. The Pays de Bitche is really located at the border with Alsace and is sometimes called the“Colorado of Lorraine” because of its magnificent red rocks. The hike around the castles of Falkenstein and Waldeck allows you to admire them…

Hiking in Donon (by Laurène)

The Donon is the highest point of the Basses-Vosges. It is located in the Bruche Valley, southwest of Strasbourg. It is known to be a high energy place and has long had a sacred character. This hike allows you to take advantage of the beauty of the place and its magnificent panoramic view at the top over Alsace on one side and Lorraine on the other.

Rocher de Mutzig hike (by Laurène)

This is a superb sporty hike in the Bruche Valley, easily accessible from Strasbourg. The program includes a visit to the Porte de Pierre, an astonishing monolith of pink sandstone, and a magnificent panorama of the valley and Vosges peaks from the Rocher de Mutzig. You won’t regret the climb, I promise!

Castle walk in Saverne (by Laurène)

If you like sporty hikes (not in terms of technical difficulty but because of the duration and the difference in altitude), here is a great hike around Saverne, which will lead you to the magnificent Château du Haut-Barr, the Grotte de Saint-Vit and the Tour du Brotsch. Get ready for a lot of great views!

Hike to the castles of Bernstein, Ramstein and Ortenbourg (by Léa)

This is a hike that will suit lovers of sporty hiking who like to make beautiful discoveries along the way. A beautiful walk with three castles awaits you on this route: the ruins of the castles of Bernstein, Ramstein and Ortenbourg punctuate this beautiful loop, we love it!