Walk to the Chemin des Cimes Alsace, the lookout above the trees!

My opinion in brief

The Treetop walk in video

Want to see what the Treetop walk looks like on video? I’ve made a small short to give you an idea!

An original trail in the heart of the forest

France’s only Chemin des Cimes

The Chemin des Cimes is a tourist attraction from the German company EAK, which has built several lookouts of the same type at various locations around the world. Photos of the various towers can be admired on the Chemin des Cimes trail(or by clicking here). It’s fun to see, especially as each one has its own shape, although the idea is always the same: a building in the middle of the forest that blends in with its surroundings. In France, the chemin des Cimes Alsace is the only one of its kind!

An accessible walk

The good news is that with a length of 1,050 metres and a maximum gradient of 6%, the path and panoramic tower are accessible to baby carriages and wheelchairs. Please note: on presentation of your disability card at the ticket office, a reduced-rate ticket is available, with free admission for the accompanying person. A wheelchair rental service is also available on reservation.

For dog owners, please note: dogs are not allowed. While this may come as a surprise at first, the reason is actually quite simple: because of the height of the tower, dogs regularly have panic reactions when they climb it, leading to unpredictable behavior that is annoying for the dog itself, of course, but also for other visitors. For everyone’s well-being, they are not accepted.

Route and photos of the Chemin des Cimes walk

A small train as a shuttle

To get to Chemin des Cimes, park in the free parking lot below and hop on the 15-minute shuttle train. There’s no direct access road, as the road is too narrow to allow passage (cars and even bicycles are not allowed), and the parking lot upstairs is very small: it is therefore reserved for people with reduced mobility (please call ahead to reserve). You can also choose to go up on foot, but it’s a bit of a hike (about 1 hour) and there’s a good incline 😛

The little train that climbs through the trees is an attraction in its own right for children, but it’s also enjoyable for adults, as you slowly begin to soak up the atmosphere of the forest. If you’re lucky, you might even see some wild animals crossing (I saw a doe and her fawn – what a charming sight!).

A trail through the trees

Once past the entrance, you arrive on a 625-meter-long trail that winds through the trees, providing access to certain viewpoints and offering educational games along the way. It’s already pretty!

View from the panoramic tower

The highlight of Chemin des Cimes is undoubtedly its panoramic tower: it’s the one we’ve come for! I was seduced by its architecture: made of wood (80%) and metal, it blends in particularly well with its surroundings, as if it were part of the landscape.

The ascent to the tower is gradual and easy, as it is a spiral climb with a maximum gradient of 6%. We rise slowly above the trees, until we’re higher than their tops. Here we are at the summit, 29 metres high, with a 360-degree panorama! And what a panorama, it’s grandiose: view of the Rhine Plain, the Black Forest on one side and the Northern Vosges on the other, every angle is superb! On a clear day, and if you have a good view, you might even be able to see the tower of Strasbourg Cathedral!

Optional toboggan ride

For the descent, there are two options: a leisurely walk back down or… Slide down the 75-meter-long slide (additional cost €2)! Thrills are guaranteed, but not too many, since it’s suitable for everyone: the oldest woman to ride it was 80! Please note that the slide is not always accessible, depending on weather conditions. It can be too slippery or not slippery enough, depending on the weather, so it is regularly closed. If the toboggan is particularly close to your heart, why not give us a call before you make the move 😉

Optional: Alsace Adventure Forest

For a great family day out, you can combine your visit to Chemin des Cimes with that of Forêt d’Aventure Alsace, just below. It’s a playground built from natural materials and located in the forest, which sounds great for kids! On the program: zip lines, trampolines, swings, slides… There’s plenty to do, since the park covers 14,000 square metres! A combined ticket is available for both attractions.