Castle Trail

Step into the shoes of a knight for the duration of a hike!

Many of Alsace’s fortified castles were built in the foothills of the Vosges. Gradually abandoned by their inhabitants, these ruins now welcome hikers—ruined yet still magnificent and full of mystery

In 2013, the Châteaux forts d’Alsace association began exploring the idea of creating a specific and easily recognizable hiking trail, similar to those already in place for the Cathar castles or the Camino de Santiago. It partnered with the Fédération du Club Vosgien to bring this project to life.

Here, we offer an equestrian version of this trail, which often deviates from the official markings to take paths suitable for horses and to connect the equestrian lodgings at the start and end of each stage.

The route passes by more than 80 castles, covering a distance of approximately 400 km, from Obersteinbach to Willer-sur-Thur. The trail follows a north-south axis that runs generally parallel to the Alsace Plain, the Vosges mountain range, and the Wine Route. It is divided into 14 stages.

For more information on this trail, visit the website of the Association of Alsatian Castles