Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein, the discovery trail to the ruins of Château du Wildenstein, and the loop through Hinterbockloch show different sides of a stay in Kruth. The lake, mountain landscape and local history offer practical starting points for planning your own outing. The trails differ in length, elevation gain and terrain; the conditions stated for each are also important when planning a hike.
Lake and nature
Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein is an 81-hectare reservoir on the Alsatian side of the Vosges. It reaches a depth of up to 35 metres. Cascade du Bockloch lies above the lake on the right bank. From there, a loop trail explores the narrow valley of Hinterbockloch and leads to small waterfalls.
Nature conservation is also part of the local context: Kruth is one of the municipalities affected by the Natura 2000 protected area ZSC Vosges du Sud. Access restrictions in protected areas can vary by location and season. This should be taken into account when planning a visit to nature areas.
Castle hill and local history
The discovery trail on the castle hill leads to the ruins of Château du Wildenstein. It is 1.2 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 130 metres. In addition to rocky mountain sections, there is a seasonal restriction: the trail may be impractical in winter, and conditions for accessing the mountain can vary depending on the season.
The history of the ruins dates back to the 17th century. Château du Wildenstein was bombarded on 6 April 1646 and destroyed the following month. A more recent part of the area's history is told by Chapelle Saint-Nicolas in Kruth: the present-day chapel was built in 1954 to replace an older structure that had been destroyed during road construction. Thus, the history of a castle on the hill and that of a later chapel built in Kruth stand side by side.
Hiking trails and elevation gain
The loop through Hinterbockloch is listed as taking about 1.5 hours and gaining 360 metres in elevation. The trail starts at Cascade du Bockloch and leads through the narrow valley to the small waterfalls. The approximate duration provides a timeframe for planning, while the elevation gain gives a specific indication of the climb. Before setting out, check mountain conditions and trail safety.
The discovery trail on the castle hill and the Bockloch loop can therefore be considered using different planning details: for the former, the focus is on trail length and elevation gain, while an approximate duration is also given for the latter. Both cross mountain terrain, but their descriptions list different starting points and destinations. You can therefore choose a hike according to the location you want to visit and the trail details that matter to you.
Activities at Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein
The lake is classified as a first-category fishing water. Fishing is permitted from a non-motorised boat and with a float tube, subject to the rules at the site. Swimming is tolerated at your own risk and is not supervised. There are no lifeguards. These conditions differ significantly: the permitted ways of accessing the lake for fishing are specified, while for swimming, the lack of supervision should be noted explicitly.
Getting there by train or bike
Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein is accessible via the Mulhouse–Kruth TER rail line. Check the timetable for your travel date. By bike, the Véloroute de la vallée de la Thur connects Staffelfelden with Kruth; the distance from Staffelfelden to the lake is about 37 kilometres. Since this is only an approximate distance, you should also check local route conditions and cycling infrastructure.
Discover more destinations: Rombach-Le-Franc, Wickerschwihr, Wildenstein, Labaroche, Masevaux, Ottmarsheim, Lucelle, Thannenkirch.
For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
