Fortresses and Forests Loop

Just steps away from Germany, among castles, forests, and villages of the Northern Vosges, set out to discover these sumptuous landscapes!

The itinerary starts from the town hall of Lembach where you can admire old houses made of Vosges sandstone, an old washhouse, a Protestant church with a pulpit made of Vosges sandstone,...Head towards Wingen, known for its Gallo-Roman steles, and then go to Petit-Wingen. Once at Petit-Wingen, leave this road to take a small road on the left passing by the Rue des Châteaux Forts. This pretty little road runs along the Heimbach River and is located below the GR53 trail. Continue on the paved road. You will pass right by the source of the Heimbach before reaching the Litschhof pass.

At the Litchhof pass, go straight towards Gimbelhof. The Fleckenstein castle will then rise before you. An emblematic castle of the Northern Vosges, it is a significant place of the Middle Ages and a powerful and majestic witness to the history of the Holy Roman Empire. From Gimbelhoff, continue and go behind the parking lot to take a path for a few hundred meters. This will lead you directly to the parking area of Fleckenstein castle. From there, turn left to descend to the Flekenstein pond. Go along the pond and then the campsite to reach an intersection.

At this intersection, turn right towards Niedersteinbach, a village by the Steinbach River. From Niedersteinbach, continue on the road to Obersteinbach. Nearby, there are many castles: the small Arnsbourg, the Lutzelhardt, the Wasigenstein,... After leaving the village, turn left towards Windstein. You will then pass through the Langthal pass. After that, you will pass below the castles of Schoeneck and Wineck.

At the intersection, continue on the road towards Windstein. Continue on this road without veering left towards the village of Windstein. Pass through Jaegerthal where the old De Dietrich forges are located. In Jaegerthal, head towards Nehwiller, turning left. In the village, turn left towards Langensoultzbach. Once at Langsoultzbach, turn right at the intersection towards Woerth for a few dozen meters. Make a 180° turn then on the road below towards Lembach. This road will take you back to the starting parking lot.