Portique des Géants and Château du Nideck circular from Luttenbach

Park in the car park by the D218 road near the Luttenbach campsite and the Club Vosgien refuge.

(S/E) Set off to the right (with the campsite behind you) towards Oberhaslach, walking along the edge of the road (with care) for about 250 m. Cross the road (still with care) and take the unmarked path on the right up to the next junction.

(1) Follow the forest track marked with a Red Saltire and a Yellow Ring to the right until you reach the next path which climbs to the left.

(2) Head up to the left, following the Yellow Ring and Blue Triangle markings. At the junction just above the forest track stands a beautiful sculpture, the Portique des Géants en Grès de Rothbach, created in 2003 by Alfi Vivern from Brazil. Follow the markings to the left until you reach a wider path. Take this path to the left. At the fork, head up to the left for a 200-metre round trip to Hohenstein Castle, a ruin perched on a rocky outcrop, its remains overgrown with moss and roots. A little further up on the right is a viewpoint offering a panoramic view that is not to be missed. From this natural viewpoint, you look out over the treetops to a magnificent panorama, especially at sunrise or sunset.

(3) Turn back and continue to the left (Blue Disc markings). Follow the Sandweg Forest Path for about a hundred metres before turning right again until you reach the next path which climbs to the left.

(4) Continue left up a steep climb (Blue Ring markings). Reach the Petit Ringelstein with its ruins (dry stone walls) surrounding the summit.

(5)Descend on the other side to the Carrefour des Anlagen.

(6) Take the path on the right marked with Blue and Yellow Triangles and a Yellow Cross, and reach the Carrefour du Brigadier Jérôme.

(7) Take the path on the right to reach, after about a hundred metres, a second sculpture by Lyudmyla Mysko from Ukraine, named "Liberation" and made of Rothbach sandstone. You will then come to the Rocher du Pfaffenlapp, an impressive sandstone spire overlooking the valley, a veritable natural balcony suspended between sky and forest.

(8) Retrace your steps along the previous path to return to the Carrefour des Anlagen.

(6) Now turn right onto the GR®531, following the multiple markings: Blue Ring and Blue Rectangle, Yellow Triangle. Continue on to reach the Kasperlehepp Pond: nestled in a small clearing, the peaceful body of water is surrounded by reeds, ferns and old trees with twisted trunks. According to the elders of the neighbouring village, the pond’s name comes from a local character nicknamed Kasperle, a mischievous figure linked to the region’s oral traditions.

(9) Continue right on the GR®531, and at the bend following the pond, take the path that climbs to the right until the next junction with a forest track.

(10) Cross the forest track, and slightly further down you’ll find a wooden table with benches. An ideal spot to catch your breath or the perfect place for a picnic break. Resume the GR®531 northwards towards the road and a car park on the D218, marked with a Blue Ring and a Blue Rectangle.

(11) Head left for about 500 m along the road – take care – until you reach another car park.

(12) Head down to the left into the car park, turn right immediately, then a few dozen metres further on take the path down to the left via wooden steps, marked with a Blue Ring, Red Rectangle and Red Triangle, to Château du Nideck, whose tower is closed to visitors .

(13) Tower with a wooden bench opposite and an information panel. To reachChâteau du Nideck: leave the tower behind; a short uphill walk of a few hundred metres leads, via stone steps secured by handrails, to the ruins which overlook the valley from an impressive rocky outcrop. Pass the tower again and head down to the right along a winding path that leads to the wooden bridge.

(14) Cross the Nideckbaechel via this bridge, head right and keep right, following the GR®53, marked with a Red Rectangle. You will soon reach the viewpoint above the Nideck Waterfall , which stands at an altitude of 534 metres. From there, walk back a few metres to the junction of the path leading to the waterfall and turn right until you reach the waterfall.

(15) Take this path on the right to reach the base of the waterfall. The water plunges from a volcanic rock face approximately 25 metres high. After rain, the flow is particularly impressive.

(16) Head back up to the previous junction.

(15) Take the sloping path to the right up to the rock and the Hirchfels viewpoint (proceed with caution). Although there is a handrail, this section is reserved for children accompanied by an adult and hikers with sure-footedness.

(17) Continue down the path marked with the Blue Ring and Red Triangle until you reach the D218 road.

(18) Turn left onto it, proceeding with caution for about 400 m until you reach the car park (S/E).

• Slippery steps leading to the waterfall (take care in wet weather)
• No drinking water points along the route.
• Not accessible to pushchairs or bicycles.
• Dogs allowed (must be kept on a lead).
• Viewpoints at Pfaffenlapp and Hirchfels: proceed with caution and keep an eye on children.

• Some steep or rocky sections: good footwear essential and walking poles recommended.

Note: it is possible to skip the return section between (6) and (8) by taking a wide forest path, which shortens the route by 2.5 km.

Route completed in October 2025 and unanimously enjoyed by Les Branquignol.e.s – the famous group of Alsatian friends, hikers and bon vivants, who are having a brilliant time...

The sculptures

Nideck Castle: see detailed information on the Visit Alsace website.