Sentheim - Buchberg loop

Cross the road and opposite follow Rue de L’Eglise, marked in the old village district. On both sides nice farm buildings, one of which housed a former tile factory. Some old typical laborers' houses, who combined agricultural activity with factory work. The Canal factory bridge (which first connected the upper and lower mills before supplying the turbines of the spinning and weaving mills) links to Kattenbach street where a blacksmith, concrete block maker, carpenters, joiner, printer, tinsmith and the café-restaurant Wolfaloch ("At the Wolves' Den") used to co-exist.

Cross the Doller Bridge and follow the "Chemin des Vignes" (blue triangle) towards Lauw. The route shares a few hundred meters with the start of the geological trail. Quarry to the left (remains of a lime kiln below) with an old shelter (1914/1918), follow this paved path leading to Lauw (another quarry at the border of this municipality). Turn right then after about 100m turn left following the yellow disc. The route climbs steadily and crosses the route from Bourbach le Bas to Masevaux via Saegenkopf, leading to the Simmenstoeckle Oak.

Heading towards Schirm then right towards BUCHBERG. Somewhat sustained climb, with before reaching the summit a very beautiful circular viewpoint on the right towards the Vosgian hills and plateaus, Michelbach lake, the plain and the Rhine ditch, the Black Forest, the Basel Jura, Sundgau, the Jura, the Alps. You reach the Buchberg summit (762 m) through the forest and the summit offers a beautiful view on Masevaux including Schimmel opposite, Montori, Sudel and Bruckenwald.

The descent goes right to the Rocher du Poilu, an observation post during the 1914-1918 war.

From there, head left towards the SCHIRM Pass (and not directly to Bourbach le Bas/Sentheim). Bourbach le Haut, Rossberg, Hundsruck appear to the hiker. The Schirm Pass forms the junction between Bourbach le Haut and Masevaux via the "Joffre" Road which connects the Doller and Thur valleys via Hundsruck Pass and Bitschwiller. It is also a dislocation zone between volcano-sedimentary rocks (Buchberg) and volcanic rocks typical of the Rossberg massif. The hiker returns the way he came, heading to Bourbach le Bas (white crossed red rectangle) through Georgenwald and Heidenfeld. Beautiful panoramas offered by this Oligocene plateau which with Bergwald forms a typical section of this area. At the forest exit, the route passes between pastures. To the right, about 200m away, the Miners’ Chapel. Follow SENTHEIM. After the Silbachwaedle forest (fitness trail and developed site) several routes: directly via Silbach (yellow triangle) or Bergwald (white crossed red rectangle), but also via Rollenberg (red triangle) chosen in this description.

At the forest exit, crossing a meadow (watch out for animals) to reach the statue of the Virgin of Rollenberg (see description). The view embraces the village (church, St John Center, Etang Marcel, artisanal zone), its surroundings, extends to Sundgau, Jura, the Alps, the Doller valley entrance.

Descent to the village (Way of the Cross, shelter 1914/1918) overlooking the Doller through the Grumby valley.