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Ruins of Koepfel CastlePhoto: Gabriel Dietrich, Club Vosgien
The St Gorgon oratory (former Priory). Saint-Gorgon is a secluded place deep in the hollow overlooking the village of Saint Nabor. A chestnut forest borders the Pilgrims' trail that climbs to the Sainte Odile convent. The place is deserted, some ruins emerge from the brambles, a simple oratory bears a plaque with the inscription ‘apud sanctum Gorgonem’
Ottrott Castles. Two fortresses overlook Ottrott. The Rathsamhausen features a remarkable keep-palace, unique in Alsace. The Lutzelbourg, a few dozen meters away, seems to confront its neighbor. The keep (or Bergfried) was secured in 2019; visits are possible on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Koepfel ruins. Only the base of a tower and a sandstone wall remain of the small castle from the year 1000. However, the view over the two Ottrott villages is magnificent.
Hagelschloss. A considerable fortress, Hagelschloss became a bandits' den at the beginning of the 15th century! The City of Strasbourg successfully besieged and dismantled the fortress in 1406. A notable element of the ruins is the Devil’s Arch, an impressive relieving arch. The trail leading to Dreistein runs along the Pagan Wall. In this section, the Wall reaches three meters high, making visitors aware of the considerable size of this prehistoric enclosure.
Dreistein Castles. Three fortresses perched on tall sandstone rocks, the site is unexpected. Don’t miss the columned bay of the eastern castle, the shield wall of the middle castle! In the western burg, the spiral staircase of the keep is a marvel, and the palace’s great hall features the largest bay window among Alsace’s castles. This site is incomparable.
Birkenfels Castle. This small mountain castle has been restored. The surroundings and ruins are regularly maintained. Visitors can easily access the interior of the dwelling and admire the tracery of the large windows. An opening carved inside the keep reveals a rather unusual curiosity.
Author’s recommendation
One-day hike, don't forget your lunch. Allow a bit more time for the visits.
The Ottrott Castles site can be visited on Tuesday mornings and all day Saturday.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Restaurant Hostellerie du Mont Sainte-OdileSafety information
Before you leave:
- Check the general and local weather ensuring no precipitation
- Get information on the approach walk, height of the itinerary, travel time, possible bailout (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.)
- Assess possible risks by consulting mountain professionals, refuges, inns
- Inform a close person of your plan and contact them if there are changes: departure and return times, number of participants with each phone number, vehicle(s), parking
- Avoid going alone, use equipment suitable for the activity, adjusted and in good condition, headlamp, complete first aid kit, survival blanket, etc.
In case of problems
Alert: call 112 (European emergency number)
5 key points for conveying your alert:
- Where? municipality, place, route, altitude
- Who? identity, phone number
- What? type of accident, number of victims, severity,
- When? time of accident
- Weather? wind, visibility
Recommended equipment
Tips and suggestions
Roadbook
Take the path to the right of the information panel, follow the trail alongside a large meadow (the Grossmatt) then descend the Pilgrims' trail, marked with a yellow cross, towards Ottrott.
After 30 minutes you arrive at the Saint Gorgon crossroads, continue for 50m and you will discover to your right the St Gorgon oratory.
Retrace your steps and take the hunters' trail marked with a yellow disc that leads to the Ottrott Castles.
To the right of the Forest House, climb the trail marked with a blue signboard that leads to the Koepfel ruins in 15 minutes. Follow the blue signboard marking along a forest path to the foot of Hagelschloss Castle.
To the left, the steep trail marked with a red cross leads you to the castle. Then take the yellow signboard trail to the right. This path runs along the Pagan Wall and passes through the Koeberle gate to reach the Dreistein crossroads.
Take the red signboard trail to the right which descends in 10 minutes to Dreistein Castle. Take the red signboard trail again and descend to the hamlet of Saegmuhlmaettel (former sawmill).
Cross the road and take the small forest road of the Willerhof. After 100 m, follow the yellow ring marked trail to the left which climbs to Birkenfels Castle (Shelter).
Follow the path, then to the right take the blue cross trail towards Mont-Sainte-Odile.
Mont Sainte-Odile
Le Château du Dreistein
Château du Birkenfels
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
CTS bus only during the summer seasonGet Timetable to destination
Directions
Access :
- Via Barr D 854 or Ottrott towards Mont Sainte Odile D 426
- Departure: Mont-Sainte-Odile - lower parking (P III)
Parking
Departure: Mont-Sainte-Odile - lower parking (P 3)Coordinates
Equipment
- Clothing suited to the season and conditions (cold, hot, wet…)
- Hiking shoes suitable for the terrain (even for children!)
- Hiking poles (useful for stability and to relieve joints)
- Mobile phone and spare battery
IN THE BACKPACK
- Each person’s bag: 20 liters for half a day, about 30 liters for a full day, but no more than 10-15% of the carrier’s weight
- Bring protection against rain (cape, umbrella…), cold (fleece, hat, gloves, lip balm…), sun (sunscreen, hat…)
- Garbage bag (to bring everything back home!)
- Tissues, toilet paper
- Knife
- First aid kit
- Survival blanket
- Water bottle, some cereal bars
THE "EXTRAS"
- Compass and/or hiking GPS
- Camera or binoculars
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Whistle (to alert other group members)
- Fluorescent yellow vest (if it becomes necessary to walk along a road)
THE HIKER BEHAVES AS A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN
They respect:
- Nature and the environment, wildlife, plants, biodiversity
- Protected areas (national parks, nature reserves, etc.)
- The sites visited
- Other hikers
- Other forest users
- Basic safety rules
- In groups, the guide’s instructions
- Public or private landowners and their property: they close fences and gates after passing
- They take their rubbish with them
- They preserve sites and trails
- They report any damage observed on trails by reporting any anomaly via the Club Vosgien form.
- They favor public transport and carpooling
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions