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The most beautiful viewpoints
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Panorama from the Rossberg Tower
In 1901 a wooden belvedere was erected at Rossberg on the initiative of the Club Vosgien de Ferrette. This tower was unfortunately destroyed during a storm at the beginning of 1905. The decision was taken for the Club Vosgien to rebuild this tower, but in a metal structure 16,70 m high. The inauguration took place on July 15, 1906. The wooden stairs were replaced by metal in 1925. The last maintenance work (painting and replacement of the platforms) was carried out in 1978 - 1988 by volunteer members of the Club Vosges. It was completely renovated, secured and raised in 2008 to reach a height of 20 m. The panorama at its summit is exceptional. We can see the Jura, the Black Forest, the Vosges and on a clear day, the Bernese Alps.
Access on foot is 20 minutes from the parking lot of the Ferrette motorhome area. Possibility of making a larger loop (8km) from Ferrette or Vieux Ferrette.
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Llamas from the Hornihof farm in Kiffis
This hike will allow you to discover the breeding farm of llamas and Central Asian Shepherd Dogs of the Hornihof, its beautiful forest which offers magnificent panoramas on the Alsatian Jura and Switzerland from the Glaserberg and its picnic air la Neuneich.
Sunday afternoons between 15 and 17 p.m., in at least acceptable weather, there are small free guided tours of the farm which you can take part in spontaneously. To be sure that you will find someone in uncertain weather, you can also register by telephone (03 89 40 33 60). Free access
Access: from the Col du Blochmont, take the marked “red cross” path on your right just before going down to Kiffis.
Topoguide on sale at the Tourist Office for the price of 1 € the sheet or 10 € the 17 pedestrian topos. Topoguide downloadable from the website of our partner Visorando.
The farm of Ebourbettes, a few steps from the Swiss border, was used during the Second World War, as a clandestine base for the passage of resistance fighters and all those who refused the enlistment of force in the Wehrmacht. It was here that on April 26, 1942, General Giraud's famous escape to Switzerland took place. While the owner of the premises was talking with the soldier in charge of monitoring the border, promising him eggs and cheese to improve his everyday life, the future head of the French National Liberation Committee, accompanied by smugglers, slipped into the deep Swiss beech groves to reach Algiers some time later.
To access the farm, park at the pass between Winkel and Lucelle. Count 2 km (1/2 hour walk) on a beautiful white path to reach the site characterized by a superb view of the Voges and the Swiss Jura.
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Guidebook on the heights of Altkirch
Guidebook (pocket of 10 walks) given free of charge at the Tourist Office or downloadable opposite.
This limestone promontory offers a beautiful view of the ruins of the Morimont castle and its old manor with the Vosges on the horizon.
The Rocher de la Sorcière, near the Ebourbettes farm, overlooks the upper Largue valley and part of the Swiss Ajoie region.
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Landskron Castle
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Landskron Castle
It was transformed into a garrison according to Vauban's plans (1689), burned and bombed in 1817 and finally classified as a Historic Monument in 1923. XXth century dungeon, towers, remains of the chapel and the well offer a pleasant green stroll. . Free visit all year round.
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Panorama of the Swiss Jura
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Winkel beech avenue
Located on the municipal bench of Ligsdorf in the national forest of Saint-Pierre-Lucelle, the Allée des Hêtres is made up of a remarkable alignment in several respects: number (around 40), age (over 150 years), shape and dimensions beeches (28 m high and 3m in circumference on average) as well as the regularity of the alignment.
A circuit marked "yellow ring" allows you to make a loop of 6 km for 160m of vertical drop. It takes 1 hour 30 minutes to walk from the Charrière car park.
Landscape and historical interest of the site. Without doubt also one of the most beautiful views of the Alsatian Jura on the neighboring Swiss Jura.
Text: Philippe MERCKLE
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Circuit marked and recognizable by this logo
Porte du Sundgau, Illfurth is also a high place of history. The fighting of the 1st World War fell in the Sundgau from August 1914. Indeed the French blew up the viaduct of Dannemarie and the front stabilized and extended from the Vosges to the Swiss border.
The front line passed a few kilometers from Illfurth on the Heidwiller side. During this visit, you will discover several bunkers with multiple uses, both ammunition depot, observation post or location of artillery pieces, also the location of a second large cannon located near the Church de la Burnkirch and several casemates.
Topoguide downloadable from the website of our partner Visorando.
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Wolschwiller and the Alsatian Jura
The Raemel chain, two kilometers long, bars the horizon and rises to 832 meters above sea level. It is the highest point of the Alsatian Jura, which is reached by a picturesque limestone ridge, the customs or smugglers path, which follows the Franco-Swiss border. Quite sporty walk, embellished with magnificent panoramas over the Swiss Jura.
Topoguide on sale at the Tourist Office for the price of 1 € the sheet or 10 € the 17 pedestrian topos. Topoguide downloadable from the website of our partner Visorando.
Discover the village of Bettlach, facing south which enjoys a superb panorama of the Alsatian Jura massif. Its forest also hosts vestiges of the Maginot line presented through interesting panels. This line of defence, despite the efforts it will have made, played an ephemeral role during the Second World War. The walk then joins the Saint Brice chapel, on the heights of Oltingue, mentioned from the XXth century where you can eat in season in the inn which adjoins it.
Downloadable topoguide below.
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Cave of the Dwarfs of FERRETTE
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Cave of the Dwarfs of FERRETTE
The Dwarven Cave is above all a place of legend where can be practiced climbing.
The rocks of the Cave of the Dwarves form an impressive gorge about 25 meters high called Erdwibalaschlucht (the parade of the little women of the earth) and formed by the working of water in the karst limestone. According to legend, these little women of the earth lived with the Erdmanala (little men of the earth) inside the Cave of the Dwarves. Located at the bottom of the gorge, the cave takes on the appearance of a slit that opens in the rock wall and continues through two guts, all developed over about fifteen meters.
Above the gorge, you can access the Plateau des Nains. From there, we have a beautiful view of the Ill valley and the villages of Bouxwiller, Werentzhouse. The place also bears the name of Erdwibalafelsen (Roche aux Fées).
2 possible accesses:
- park in the parking lot of the Communauté de Communes in Ferrette (3A route de Lucelle) and take the red diamond path along the road towards Sondersdorf. Allow 30 to 35 minutes to access the cave (1,8km).
- park in the Keucht car park located in the forest. Take the direction of Sondersdorf and, a little before leaving the village, take the forest path on your left indicated by a wooden sign "Sentier des Nains". Continue to the car park located a few hundred meters further on. From the car park, count 15-20min walk on a beautiful path accessible by 4X4 stroller.
Ferrette castle is one of the oldest in Alsace. Its first mention dates back to 1105. It was one of the main possessions of the counts of Ferrette, a dynasty which was formed by sharing the inheritance of the counts of Montbéliard. Seven counts of Ferrette will follow one another.
After the death of the last count, the county passed to the house of Austria through the marriage of Joan of Ferrette with Duke Albert II of Habsburg in 1324. The castle then became the residence of an Austrian bailiff.
The ruins of the castle are made up of two parts:
- the upper castle, the oldest, consists of a residential tower carved in limestone and on several levels, one of the first of this type in Alsace. A platform allows you to enjoy a superb panorama of the Vosges, the Black Forest and the Jura.
- the lower castle has several round towers open to the throat and equipped with fire mouth.
Free visit all year round. Guide to discovering the castles of the Alsatian Jura available at the Tourist Office (3 €). Parking at the foot of the castle in front of the old court or at the Tourist Office. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for a free visit of the castle. You can download the sound points for free to listen to them on site.
