Walking activities - Topoguides

The WWI battles erupted in Sundgau fromAugust 1914 onwards. The front line was afew kilometres from Illfurth, on the Heidwillerside, and cut the Sundgau in two. This circuit,starting from Burnkirch church, enables you todiscover several multi-purpose constructionswhich served as munitions depots, observationposts and artillery emplacements, not forgettingthe numerous bunkers presentedon the site. Distance : 6.5 km (2.5 hours).

Hike around the medieval town of Ferrette: explore the upper town, the lower and upper castle, Loechenfelsen (the pierced rock), Kanzel (the throne), Heidelfluh (the pagan rock) and the Dwarfs' Plateau and Cave. Topo-guide on sale at the Tourist Information Centre.

This path reanimates the memory of thisunique place where, during WWI, three armiesfaced each other, only separated by afragile line: the frontier. Food for thought,this Franco-Swiss pathway allows visitors toapprehend, in the silence of the forests andmeadows, the fragility of our civilisation’s values: peace, tolerance and fraternity. Manyfortifications have been restored.Distance: 7.5 km (2.5 hours) depart from Larginfarm (Switzerland) or the site of the Millbetween Pfetterhouse and Mooslargue.

2 km path in Bettlach forest links three imposingMaginot Line forts, built between 1937 and1940. Explanatory panels relate the history ofthe Maginot Line, the colossal effort requiredand the ephemeral role it played at the startof WW2. Longer route available (7.6 km ; 3.5hours.) Route map on sale at the Office of Tourism, Departure fromBettlach Town Hall

Explore Gommersdorf, a farming village rich in pasture and livestock. Do not hesitate to take a look at the beautiful traditional houses in the village or at the half-timbered facade of the Auberge du Tisserand! The Association of Peasant houses was founded In this town and some houses reconstructed at the Alsace Eco museum come from Gommersdorf!
From St Marguerite's Chapel, you take a path that goes towards the Rhone-Rhine Canal. You can go along the canal to Wolfersdorf harbour. This walking tour will also allow you to see the reservoir.

Footpath retracing presence of Moroccanrifle regiment posted on Maginot line, alongSwiss frontier, 1939 - 1940. 3 circuits: 2.6 km(1 hour) - 3.6 km (1.5 hours), 5.6 km (2.5hours). Depart from the ‘‘Charrière’’.Take advantage of your visit to Winkel todiscover the source of the river Ill and theBeech Alley. Route map on sale at the Officeof Tourism

This small loop of 3 km will enable you to explore the ruins of Landskron Castle in Leymen. Starts from Leymen tram station or from the castle car park.

750m long and featuring 23 markers, the Ditch Trail allows you to explore some of the flora and fauna present in a typical alder and ash plantation. Crossed by the river ""Otter"", the path is laid out in a wetland where some 80 ditches have been identified. Tables are installed close to the arboretum for picnics and educational work. Nearby are a typical Sundgau orchard and some ponds. The trail is accessible from the Porte d'Alsace reception area.

Discover Bettlach, its village, its forest and the Maginot Line path, its chapel and a beautiful view over the Alsatian Jura.
Topo guide for sale in the tourist office.

This 4 day/3 night walking tour runs in a loopthrough the Alsatian Jura range connectingthe area’s three castles.
Length : 80 km infour stages of 15 to 23 km. Well signpostedand maintained path which takes in the mostbeautiful routes and tracks of the range.Hiking map of route available. Baggage transferprovided for flexible vacations.

Hike around Wolschwiller:
Walking tour offering two of the most beautiful views of the Alsatian Jura and (in good weather) the Swiss Alps.You will also see the church, the Magdalena Brunnele oratory, St. John of Nepomuk chapel, Rudistfelsen, Burg Castle on the Swiss side, Rittimatte and Raemelspitze.

This tour will take you around St Glucker's Chapel (on the site of what once was Saint-Léger village) and farther on up to Neiweiher pond. Walk along the stream that runs through the floral village of Hirtzbach and explore Reinach Park, the last icehouse in Sundgau and its castle. Do not hesitate to visit them! You can also see Sonnenberg Institute, a private school, which was a spa in 1850.

The municipality of Winkel and the Sundgau Tourist Information Office welcome you to the location called "La Charrière" where you can enjoy two signposted snowshoe circuits: 

- a 3 km PINK circuit, ideal for families. This short trail takes from 60 to 90 minutes and is easy going. It follows part of the Moroccans Trail that was established in memory of a Moroccan rifle regiment stationed at Winkel during the Second World War. 

- a 6 km ORANGE circuit which takes from two and a half to three hours. This beautiful trail takes you to the Beech Alley, Neuneich Pass and ends up on Glaserberg summit. Magnificent panoramic views of the Alsatian and Swiss Jura embellish this trail from beginning to end. 

Walking times are provided as a rough guide. They may vary depending on your walking pace. Please take this into account.

Need to hire skis or snowshoes? "Cycles Diebolt" in Hirsingue offers a wide range of Alpine equipment.

Koestlach has a rich history that you can discover through the heritage circuit. Two options are available:
1) A historical tour through the village to discover the prestigious furnishings in the St. Léger church, but also the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows,the legends of Kugele and the village of Erzach, the presbytery by Nicolas Delfis and the remains of an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement.
2) 2 hour 30 min or 3 hour walking tour of that takes you up the slopes of Burgerwald to explore the Celtic oppidum of Kasteberg before visiting the village (blue ring signposting, distance 7 km, 215 m elevation ).

Hiking in Lucelle:
Discover Lucelle with the lake and its fauna, the ancient cistercianabbey today transformed in a accommodation centre of , the cemetery, the isolated farms and the border milestones.
Topo-Guide for sale in the Tourist Office.

The floral village of Friesen, in the LargueValley, has conserved 50 timbered buildingsconstructed between 1497 and 1878. A walkingcircuit through this floral village revealsa unique heritage which is characterized bythe oldest peasant house in Sundgau! A walkingguidebook, priced 2€, is available fromthe Tourist Offices. Guided tours for groupsby appointment.

ViaJuraRegio is a 110 km signposted French-Swiss hiking route (60km of which is in France)  providing access to Basel at Delémont.

This route follows the paths used by the prince-bishops of Basel when they went to their homes in Delémont and Porrentruy between the 16th and 18th centuries. It proposes ""learning history from a journey"". History of course but also gastronomy, soil, fauna and flora, and the beautiful surroundings on this route.

This route crosses the French-Swiss border in the far south of Alsace: the Alsatian Jura, then runs through the Ajoie, the Clos du Doubs region and the Delémont valley.

Map and guidebook available. 

Detailed presentation of the route: Via Jura Regio hiking break 

Embellished with remarkable views, theme stations and botanical panels, the trail will reveal a site of great wealth: a forest in the Alsatian Jura. It is notably composed of 30 wooden sculptures made with a chainsaw. Opportunity to visit the village stork enclosure. Two proposed distances: 2 km or 3.2 km.