On the trail of the Spiritans

Put on your hiking shoes and set off for a hike combining history and nature through the municipality of Neufgrange, then towards Rémelfing, Zetting, and Siltzheim!

The route "On the Traces of the Spiritans" offers you a beautiful loop of 11.2 km, starting from the village of Neufgrange. From the very first steps, you will be immersed in the heritage of the Spiritan Fathers: their former convent, their outbuildings, the cemetery, and the chapel still tell the story of their lives in these places today. Just a stone's throw away are St. Joseph's school, now an elementary school, and the old castle, which has become the town hall of the village.

After this immersion in local heritage, dive into nature for a forest bath. By taking narrow paths through the Wackenkopf forest, enjoy a breath of fresh air and a true disconnection. Here, you will walk in a soothing atmosphere, surrounded by a beautiful diversity of tree species: imposing oaks are alongside elegant beeches and pines, while the maples add a touch of color each season.

The route then alternates with wider paths that border fields, offering slight elevations and stunning open views of the surrounding countryside for over a kilometer. This landscape is animated by the round balers in summer and punctuated by historical markers from the 18th century, where one can still decipher dates almost erased by time, sometimes hidden under vegetation.

A break is essential to admire a viewpoint to the north of the loop, offering breathtaking views of the surroundings. A sign installed in front of the Neufgrange town hall will inform you about the marked route of this trail.

- Variation: a shorter version of the loop (7.6 km) can be done by cutting at the "Wackenkopf" crossroads in one direction or "Bruehlberg" in the other.

- Connections: common section with the route "Through the Ages" (9.4 km). Two possible connections of 1 to 2 km, towards the "Lavoir Circuit" (12.6 km) in Siltzheim.

- Marking: yellow ring

- Geographical area: The Saar Valley, pretty detours between river and forests

- Starting point: Neufgrange > 2 rue Saint-Michel - Town Hall