Le sentier des Espiègles

A hike in the region Alsace

The hike proposes an easy path for entertainment, with the meeting of odd wooden imps: the Rogues ("Espiègles" in French, and "Spitzbuewe" in Alsatian). They make the forest more cheerful! Living perched above the ground, you will not see them, though they will have yet spotted you. On the road, you will discover a beautiful panorama over the Alsace plain and the vineyard, and also a charming ruined castled classified Historic Monument. The imps and the route arose from the imagination of Mr Jean Lehner, woodcarver.

Information

General points

• Geographic situation. District : Mittelbergheim (department Bas-Rhin, canton Barr)
                                     Road map with
• Starting point : Car park of Zotzenberg, Mittelbergheim (road D362).
• The length of the stroll is estimated at 6,2 Km and the walk duration is about 1 h 30 mn.
• The stroll is marked out all along
• Stroll form : dual (one part as a loop, the other one linear)
• Stroll relief : hilly (alt. mini = 261 m ; alt. maxi = 437 m)
• Maintenance : frequent (brushwood clearing at least annual)
• Exposure : varied (both covered and uncovered areas)

Special conditions

Vehicles are forbidden on the vineyard path of Zotzenberg, and only a few number of walkers are tolerated in grape harvest time, from September till October. Respect vineyards and the work of the wine growers, and do not to collect wild tulips.

Events and information

Worth seeing. Walks can be accompanied by the local section of Club Vosgien, located in Barr.

Danger. The castle of Haut-Andlau is in the course of rehabilitation. He can be closed to visitors because of stone fall, maintenance works or a youth work training programme.

Noteworthy places

Sentier viticole du Zotzenberg. Wild tulips grow on the calcareous clay soil of Mittelbergheim, which is exceptional in the matter of wine growing.

Col du Crax. After passing Crax Pass, you will find the ruined castle of Cunon, which was destroyed in 1293.

Rocher Sainte-Richarde. Sainte-Richarde's rock offers a panorama on vineyards and Alsace plain.

Château du Haut-Andlau. The castle was built by Eberhard d'Andlau, between 1246 and 1264, on a narrow strip of granitic terrain. From its altitude of 451 m, it dominates the valleys of Andlau and Kirneck. It is the ownership of Andlau family, which takes charge of its restoration.

Maps

Carte IGN 3717 ET .