Information : The Vosges nature park with a donkey in 7 days
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The entire trip takes place in the Parc Naturel des Vosges du Nord, a Biosphere Reserve. A strange land where the forest seems to take over the mountains. The donkey, your faithful companion, will guide you to mysterious castles high up in the mountains. With him, you'll wind your way through these stunning pink sandstone sculptures. Suddenly, charming Alsatian villages of stone and half-timbering appear. A land of legends, your mind will wander along the paths. A refreshing change of scenery guaranteed!
Dinner and night in the heart of the Alsatian village.
D2
Walk around Obersteinbach
9,5 km with + 280m - Estimated time : 3h00
This introductory loop will allow you to get to know your big-eared companion. After winding your way through the old Lutzelhardt forest, in a calm, atypical atmosphere, you'll reach Lutzelhardt castle and then Schoeneck castle. Here, you'll enjoy an exceptional view over the valley.
Dinner and night in the heart of the Alsatian village.
D3
Walk from Obersteinbach to Lembach
13 km with + 310 m - Estimated time : 4h30
Today we'll be crossing a large forest in the heart of the Vosges du Nord park.
We are on the Maginot Line (presence of bunkers...)
In the hamlet of Disteldorf, you'll discover a magnificent, typical half-timbered house and explanations of coal production at the time. You arrive in Lembach gently, passing through meadows and orchards.
Dinner and night in a typical guesthouse.
D4
Walk around Lembach
13,6 km with + 420 m - Estimated time : 5h00
As you leave Lembach, you enter the woods on a narrow path, where the forest is very beautiful and you reach the highest point of the walk with little effort. The descent to Lembach via the Heimbach valley takes you through the picturesque Alsatian villages of Wingen and Petit Wingen.
Dinner and night in a typical guesthouse.
D5
Walk from Lembach to Niedersteinbach
13,5 km with + 500 m - Estimated time : 4h00
To the sound of water and birdsong, you make your way quietly up the Sauer towards the Fleckenstein pond. Here, you can observe the many birds that have taken refuge in this quiet, restful spot. A little further on, a climb up some unusual stairs will take you to the heights of Château de Froensbourg, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the valley. Then it's back through the forest to Niedersteinbach.
Short transfer for your evening stopover in Lembach.
The donkey will stay in the meadow in Niedersteinbach.
Night and dinner in the heart of the Alsatian village.
D6
Walk from Niedersteinbach to Obersteinbach
8,2 km + 500 m - Estimated time : 3h30
Short transfer to Niedersteinbach to join your companion.
This last itinerary will take you to the Almenfels viewpoint, a rocky promontory in a large cirque. The view from here is magnificent, a forest without a single human construction in the landscape. Even higher up, a series of typical red rock formations form the Ziegeunerfelsen. And here you are at Wasigenstein, one of the largest castles on the circuit. There are several rooms to discover in a maze of rock-cut staircases. On the way back, you'll admire the Petit Arnsberg castle before arriving at the asinery at the end of the village.
Final night and dinner in the heart of the Alsatian village.
5 nights full board (dinners, breakfasts and picnics)
1 night half-board
Traditional auberges and 3 épis bed & breakfasts
Luggage transport and transfers
Digital travel file
Updated GPS tracks
Free parking at first accommodation for duration of stay
Technical and logistical assistance
Optional
Donkey rental : from 315 €
What's not included ?
Drinks and extras
Return trip from your home to the first accommodation on the route
Optional insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Self-guided walking tour.
Daily stages: between 8 km and 13 km, i.e. 3 to 5 h of walking per day, depending on your pace.
Elevation gain: between 280 m and 500 m per day.
Tour altitude: between 200 m at lowest point and 450 m at highest point.
Paths and forest tracks.
Marked by the Club Vosgien de randonnée pédestre.
Please do not hike off the marked trails.
Organisation
The walks are more about discovery than sport. Your luggage is transported from accommodation to accommodation by us, and your travel pack accompanies you throughout your stay. We also provide logistical and technical assistance.
Accommodations have been chosen for their atmosphere, quality of welcome, architecture and environment.
N.B.: the accommodations described above are given for information only and are subject to change according to availability at the time of final booking.
Access
By car
From Paris: Take the A4 towards Reims, then Metz, then the A320 and N61 towards Sarreguemines, then the D662/D620/D35 towards Obersteinbach.
From Strasbourg: Via A4/A340 towards Haguenau, then D27/D3 towards Obersteinbach
From Karlsruhe: Via B10/A65/K15 and L546 towards Wissembourg then D77/D3 towards Obersteinbach
By air
Strasbourg or Karlsruhe (Baden-Baden) airport
By train
Strasbourg TGV station. Then TER/bus to Obersteinbach.
A mysterious land. Through bewitching forests, you'll encounter forgotten castles.
You'll be seduced by the beauty of its landscapes and the richness of its historical heritage. You'll wander through the Vosges Nature Park, a Biosphere…
Would you like to discover the hidden treasures of the Loire Valley and experience an authentic adventure? At the pace of your donkey, take the time to look at the landscape around you, observe the flora and fauna, and visit the castles that stand in…
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