The Grand Wintersberg ascent

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The efforts made during the ascent to the Grand Wintersberg will be rewarded by an unforgettable panorama!

The ascent continues until the Grand Wintersberg, highest point of the Vosges du Nord, will offer you a unique panorama on the massif, the plain of Alsace and the Black Forest, even on the plateau Lorraine. After that, a forest trail downhill to Niederbronn-les-Bains will allow you to recover from your efforts.

Description

From the free parking rue Sister E. Eppinger, go to the Hotel de Ville via Avenue Foch and Place des Thermes, then cross the Falkensteinbach to get to Rue de la République.

Walk along the rue de la République following the red rectangle. Climb the public gateway to Grunelius Park and then left to rue des Acacias. Shortly after the restaurant "Les Akcias", go down the forest path on the left. At the source Lichteneck, continue straight on the forest road. At the next fork, turn right and continue climbing.
At the crossroads, follow the path on the left towards the Grand Wintersberg by the Celtic camp following the red rectangle barred. At the Celtic camp, beautiful view of Niederbronn-les-Bains. Retrace your steps and continue straight towards the Grand Wintersberg by finding, 500 m further, the red rectangle. After a long climb, enjoy the view offered by the panoramic tower. Then follow the path at the back of the tower and take the path marked red rectangle downhill to the Wintersberg chalet near the Rock of Liese.
At the Wintersberg chalet, take the road on the right and after the end of the barrier, go up the path on the left and follow the green drive towards the Borneberg pass. At the Pottaschkopf pass, follow the green drive on the forest road to the Borneberg pass.
At the Col de Borneberg, take the path on the right marked yellow cross in the direction of Niederbronn-les-Bains. At the road level, follow the modified yellow cross route on the left. Join a dirt road, continue straight following the yellow cross. Descend right at the stairs to the rue des acacias. Then take the passage Grunelius and then return to the Place de l'Hotel de Ville by the rue de la République.

Departure : 7, rue de la République, Niederbronn-les-Bains
Arrival : 7, rue de la République, Niederbronn-les-Bains
Towns crossed : Niederbronn-les-Bains

5 points of interest

Panorama
Grand Wintersberg
On the highest point of the Northern Vosges, the Club Vosgien, the oldest hiking association in France, decided in 1890 to build the highest tower in Alsace. A tower of 25 m and 110 steps is added to the existing 581 m and allows to admire a breathtaking panorama on the massif of the Northern Vosges and the Palatinate, the Lorraine plateau, the plain of Alsace and the Black Forest.
Small patrimony
Rocher de la Liese
This monolithic block from the Celtic or Gallo-Roman period was damaged in 1935 and 1945. A dubious restoration was carried out in 1951: the block was covered with mortar bearing the effigy of an Egyptian goddess. According to the popular legend, sliding on this rock would allow women to be fertile or to make men fall under their charms that they desired. There are many other legends around this rock.
Castle-church-abbey
Hohenfels Chateau
Castle Hohenfels is built on a peak, difficult access; the rocky bar was deeply cut on the north-east side; from the barnyard there remain only fragments of walls and a cistern; the western platform has preserved some vestiges, as well as a small room dug in the rock; the seigniorial dwelling, at the top of the east rock, has kept its north wall in freestone, on three levels
Geology
Rocher de Hohenfels
Refuge-shelters
Pottaschkopf refuge
Open shelter on the GR® 53 at 800 m north-east of the Liese pass (Club Vosgien chalet).

- benches all around the small room on the ground floor;

- space to sleep under the roof but difficult to access.