Trail from Imsthal to Loosthal

Embed this item to access it offline

Discover the sandstone rocks around La Petite-Pierre thanks to this circuit in the heart of the forest!

The ideal walk to dive into the soul of the Northern Vosges in a unique forest atmosphere. The impressive sandstone rocks are connected with beautiful views of the surrounding forest hills.

Description

Get off at the center of La Petite-Pierre. On the way, view of the House of Pagans.

Just after the post office (rue d'Ingwiller), take the grassy path that goes down on the right towards Imsthal following the yellow rhombus.
Arriving at the road, go left and follow along the yellow triangle. Pass the Imsthal Inn and then the Breitschloss Forest Road.
Before the sign "Forest Road Imsthal", turn right hairpin to climb the forest path marked yellow diamond. At the yellow rhombus arrow, climb on the small path on the left.
After the two terminals, continue straight. Catch the Breitschloss Road and follow it. At the junction with the Mülhkopf Forest Road, turn right and follow the yellow disk. Continue straight until the Dog Jump. After contemplating the impressive Dog Jump, retrace your steps to the intersection with the Mühlkopf Forest Road and turn right following the yellow drive to the Loosthal car park. At a place called Lach, turn right following the yellow ring to the parking Loosthal.
At the Loosthal car park, cross the D134 and follow the blue rectangle towards Ingwiller. Walk along the road for a few meters then climb on the path to the right. Leaving the forest, cross the large expanse of grass towards 2am.
At the car park, continue towards La Petite-Pierre following the red triangle. Cross the D7 carefully and follow the red road to Frog Rock, then continue until La Petite-Pierre. Go down the street Kirchberg then go up the main street towards the old town to reach the car park following the red rectangle.

Departure : Parking de l’Office de Tourisme, La Petite-Pierre
Arrival : Parking de l’Office de Tourisme, La Petite-Pierre
Towns crossed : La Petite-Pierre and Neuwiller-lès-Saverne

6 points of interest

Monuments and architecture
The House of the Pagans
Built in 1534 at the initiative of Palatine Count Louis V, its architecture, unique in Alsace, is as much civil as miliary. Built on a rocky promontory overlooking the forest, the site was occupied by a watchtower in the Gallo-Roman era, as evidenced by traces of foundations in the cellar. Considered a high vibratory place, it would mark the location of a Celtic place of worship.
Pond
Imsthal Lake
The Imsthal, region of ponds full of fish, was acquired in 1503 by Count Palatine Philippe. An 1850 text, however, refers to an "Imsthal Hof", indicating that there was a castle, before being replaced by a farm. The known origin of the family now owner of the hostel dates back to 1757.
Refuge-shelters
Breitschloss refuge
Along the Breitschloss forest road, halfway between Loosthal and the MF Pottaschplatz.
Geology
Rocher de Hirschfels
The geological movements of the deformation of the Vosges have caused numerous fractures in the sandstone. It is through these zones of weakness in the rocky masses that runoff water infiltrates and enlarges the cracks in the course of time, sometimes causing the detachment of whole sections of rocks that slide down the slopes. Their remains can still be found today in the forest, as small isolated rocks, of which the Hirschfels is an example.
Panorama
Rocher du Loosthal
In good weather, this magnificent viewpoint on the Vosges hills bristling with trees allows to see the castle of Hunebourg, on the left.
Geology
Rocher de la Grenouille
Ou Froschkopf. Les quelques 300 rochers de grès dans les Vosges portent des noms aux origines diverses, pouvant être relatifs à leurs légendes, leur aspect ou en lien avec des animaux qui font partie de leur territoire ou qui leur ressemble. Le Rocher de la Grenouille porte ainsi son nom de par sa ressemblance avec le batracien.