Bas-Rhin can be explored through a wide variety of discoveries: the landscape of the Northern Vosges combines dense forests, pink sandstone, castles and rock formations. There are also marked trails, places of spiritual and archaeological significance, distinctive architecture and a notable feature of the local cuisine. This means you can focus your trip on nature, history, architecture or regional food, rather than trying to pack every experience into a single itinerary.

Exploring the Northern Vosges

The Northern Vosges trail network includes 2,600 kilometres of marked routes for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and cycling. The different activities offer a range of ways to discover the landscape. There is also a specific option for castle enthusiasts: the Northern Vosges Castle Route offers two circular tours starting at Château du Fleckenstein. The network of attractions and museums also focuses on glassmaking, industrial expertise and local cultures. The landscape, castles and cultural themes offer different perspectives on the region.

Architecture and history

In Strasbourg, the cathedral is considered a major masterpiece of Gothic architecture. On the Grande-Île, Renaissance townhouses form a unique ensemble of Rhine residential architecture; the Palais Rohan, in turn, illustrates 18th-century French Classicism. The contrast between these architectural styles is part of their appeal: you encounter not just one era, but different design traditions and periods.

Another historical trail leads to Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. The castle was built in the 12th century and, over the centuries, witnessed conflicts between lords, kings and emperors. It is fully classified and restored as a historic monument. The castle thus complements the urban examples of architecture with a long history shaped by conflict.

Mont Sainte-Odile: a spiritual site and hiking trails

Mont Sainte-Odile is an important spiritual site in Alsace and stands 753 metres above sea level. The sanctuary features panoramic views, an exceptional natural and archaeological setting, and marked hiking trails. The Mur Païen, which encircles the plateau for eleven kilometres, offers a distinctive point of reference for planning your visit. This allows you to take in both the site's spiritual character and the archaeological interest of its surroundings.

The sanctuary offers visitor accommodation and restaurant services. These may vary by season, so check what is available for your visit before making plans.

A local speciality: sauerkraut

Krautergersheim is considered the capital of sauerkraut. Cabbage processing is also part of the town's local identity: tourism information puts the cabbage-processing sector's share of national production at 20 percent. This is a reported estimate, not a statement about current production. For travellers, it offers another way to discover the region: alongside its landscape and architectural history, you can explore a particular local food.

A wider context and practical information

You can use the regional bus operator CTBR's services to explore Bas-Rhin. If you plan to use a connection during your visit, check the timetable in advance. The Alsatian networks provide further regional context: the 2024–2028 tourism strategy cites a total of 5,000 kilometres of cycling routes in Alsace. Of these, 1,000 kilometres are managed directly or maintained with support by the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace. The same strategy cites 12,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails and five long-distance hiking routes. These figures refer to Alsace as a whole and provide broader context for the specific trails in the Northern Vosges.

Whether you plan your trip around hiking, architecture, history or local cuisine, these themes offer different starting points for choosing accommodation and planning your stay.

Discover more destinations

Artolsheim, Epfig, Hinsbourg, Kutzenhausen, Le Hohwald, Lembach, Marckolsheim, Pfaffenhoffen, Puberg, Reipertswiller, Strasbourg, Stundwiller, Villé, Westhoffen, Wimmenau, Wingen-Sur-Moder, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Boofzheim, Weinbourg, Siewiller, Baldenheim, Wissembourg, Schirmeck, Schiltigheim, Saverne, Saint-Jean-Saverne, Rosheim, Ostwald, Osthoffen, Obernai, Oberhaslach, Niederbronn-Les-Bains, Mutzig, Morsbronn-Les-Bains, Molsheim, Mittelhausen, Matzenheim, Lingolsheim, La Petite-Pierre, Ottrott, Huttenheim, Hoenheim, Haguenau, Geispolsheim, Erstein, Eckbolsheim, Dieffenthal, Colroy-La-Roche, Blienschwiller, Blaesheim, Barr, Albe, Seltz, Plaine, Saales, Oberbronn, Holtzheim, Mundolsheim, Mothern, Wasselonne, La Wantzenau, Schlettstadt, Dambach-La-Ville, Mussig, Kintzheim, Bellefosse, Ohnenheim, Vœllerdingen, Mollkirch, Reichstett, Andlau, Urmatt, Plobsheim, Saulxures, Ittenheim, Bischwiller, Lipsheim, Obermodern-Zutzendorf, Dossenheim-Sur-Zinsel, Duttlenheim, Niederhaslach, Marlenheim, Eschbourg, Eschau, Steinbourg, Brumath, Soultz-Les-Bains, Bouxwiller, Itterswiller, Birkenwald, Dettwiller, Gottesheim, Langensoultzbach, Ranrupt, Waldhambach, Merkwiller-Pechelbronn, Neuwiller-Lès-Saverne, Hœrdt, Stotzheim, Ingwiller, Wildersbach, Gœrsdorf, Châtenois, Stutzheim-Offenheim, Sand, Natzwiller, Cosswiller, Marmoutier, Mittelbergheim, Mittelhausbergen, Furdenheim, Drachenbronn-Birlenbach, Urbeis, Breitenbach, Schweighouse-Sur-Moder, Souffelweyersheim, Dorlisheim, Hengwiller, Adamswiller, Kilstett, Rangen, Osthouse, Vendenheim, Heiligenstein, Valff, Gundershoffen, Fegersheim, Obersteinbach, Batzendorf, Breuschwickersheim, Bœrsch, Griesheim-Près-Molsheim, Windstein, Bischheim, Hessenheim, Gertwiller, Weyersheim, Fouchy, Rottelsheim, Kurtzenhouse, Gerstheim, Innenheim, Bilwisheim, Heidolsheim, Sermersheim, Petersbach, Nothalten, Scharrachbergheim-Irmstett, Bourgheim, Dieffenbach-Au-Val, Scherwiller, Wangenbourg-Engenthal, Neugartheim-Ittlenheim, Oberschaeffolsheim, Niederschaeffolsheim, Schillersdorf, Hindisheim, Kirrwiller, Ichtratzheim, Elsenheim, Lichtenberg, Uttenheim, Schwobsheim, Maisonsgoutte, Lalaye, Muttersholz, Sundhouse, Belmont, Reichshoffen, Hohengœft, Surbourg, Lohr, Kertzfeld, Eichhoffen, Ohlungen, Wittisheim, Bernardvillé, Beinheim, Balbronn, Rosenwiller, Traenheim, Wolxheim, Ergersheim, Bergbieten, Grandfontaine, Reinhardsmunster, Gries, Bust, La Vancelle, Neubois, Roppenheim, Harskirchen, Rhinau, Wintzenbach, Niedersteinbach, Hunspach, Benfeld, Duntzenheim, Orschwiller, Gunstett, Wingen, Entzheim, Witternheim, Solbach, Salmbach, Durningen, Russ, Uhlwiller, Schleithal, Reichsfeld, Weiterswiller, Dossenheim-Kochersberg, Diemeringen, Berstett, Dinsheim-sur-Bruche, Wolfisheim, Salenthal, Mertzwiller, Buswiller, Mommenheim, Climbach, Soultz-sous-Forêts, Eckwersheim, Monswiller, Schœnau, Hilsenheim, Bitschhoffen, Lampertheim, Ottersthal, Meistratzheim, Krautergersheim, Kleingœft, Morschwiller, Westhouse, Olwisheim, Thanvillé, Rœschwoog, Hochfelden, Betschdorf, Steige, Odratzheim, Kirchheim, Waltenheim-sur-Zorn, Triembach-au-Val

For the broader travel overview: Alsace.