In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationVosges / Alsace
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AgeFrom 18 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions50.75 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Embark on a mini road trip of approximately 55 km in the heart of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park , combining hiking and wellness breaks . For three days , you'll follow the famous GR®53 trail and its iconic red rectangle marker , linking Wissembourg to Niederbronn-les-Bains through unspoiled nature, featuring deep forests, sandstone cliffs, and tranquil landscapes .
As you progress through the stages, the journey invites you to slow down , immerse yourself in the environment, and awaken your senses . This gentle progression allows you to reconnect with what truly matters, walking from village to village in one of the most authentic mountain ranges in Eastern France.
After these active days, it's time for a day of rest and relaxation in the charming spa town of Niederbronn-les-Bains . You'll enjoy a 400 m² wellness area including a swimming pool, sauna and hammam , a true haven to release the tension accumulated during your hike.
The experience continues with a relaxing 40-minute massage or a Best Of treatment , ideal for soothing body and mind. A rejuvenating break that perfectly concludes this gentle journey , and often inspires you to continue the adventure on the GR®53 to Saverne… or even further .
The highlights
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The perfect balance between the effort of trekking and absolute comfort
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A wellness retreat in Niederbronn-les-Bains with a 400 m² spa, sauna and hammam
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The quality and comfort of the legendary Alsatian hospitality, heritage and gastronomy
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Our itineraries are designed for active travelers comfortable with multi-day walking or cycling, without requiring any particular technical skill. The routes alternate between forest tracks, rolling hills, and quiet country roads, with accessible yet dynamic daily stages. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience and pace of the trip, with the pleasure of physical activity in nature as the guiding principle.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 418 m
- Average daily descent: 408 m
Management
Your travel guide to take everywhere with you. 🗺️ + GPX tracks
Program
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Wissembourg – Lembach via the GR53
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 420 m
- Negative elevation 380 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure for the first stage of your hike from Wissembourg to Lembach via the GR 53. The route passes through the Col du Pigeonnier, Pfaffenschlick, and Soultzerkopf. Upon arrival in Lembach, you can freely visit the lime kiln fortification, a former Maginot Line fortress.
Day 1 -
Lembach – Obersteinbach via the GR53
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This is the highlight of your adventure and the most active day. Continue your journey on this beautiful second stage, exploring the castles of Lowenstein, Hohenbourg, and Fleckenstein. Enjoy this magnificent route that winds between mixed forests and sandstone citadels.
Day 2 -
Obersteinbach – Niederbronn les Bains via the GR53
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This next stage takes you to explore the Steinbach Valley, including Schöneck Castle and the ascent of the Grand Wintersberg (highest point at 581 m). You'll settle comfortably into your lovely hotel in the heart of the charming town of Niederbronn-les-Bains, renowned since antiquity for its thermal baths, and can immediately take a dip in the pool to unwind. Then, Alsatian culinary specialties await you to help you recover from your adventure, either at the hotel restaurant or one of the town's excellent restaurants!
Day 3 -
Niederbronn-les-Bains
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 3 km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, you can enjoy the 400m² wellness area until 3 pm: swimming pool, hot tub, 2 saunas, 1 hammam, and a lovely relaxation room where you can unwind after your massage (included) and end your trip in style! Then leave your luggage at the hotel to explore the charming spa town on foot before leaving Alsace and returning by train from Niederbronn station.
Day 4
Accommodation
After each stage, return to the comfort of a welcoming guest room or a 3-star hotel depending on the package chosen, with the hospitality of your local hosts and delicious Alsatian breakfasts to start the day off right.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Subject to accommodation availability.
Access
Your journey starts directly at Wissembourg Station and ends at Niederbronn-les-Bains Station.
This trip is fully accessible by train and can be done 100% without a car, with an organization designed to facilitate your travel both on the way there and back.
Go to the starting point
The meeting point for your trip is located directly at Wissembourg train station. This allows you to easily reach your train departure point and begin your journey as soon as you arrive. Upon arrival, a member of our team will be waiting for you, according to your schedule, to arrange personalized luggage handling, allowing you to set off with peace of mind to explore the Northern Vosges independently.
The meeting point for the trip is located directly at Wissembourg train station. You can get there by car and park near the station in the available car parks.
At the end of your journey, a train from Niderbronn station will take you back to Wissembourg via Strasbourg, where you can retrieve your vehicle. This arrangement simplifies your logistics and allows you to fully enjoy your trip independently.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in 3* hotels and comfortable bed and breakfasts (based on 2 people per room)
- 3 breakfasts
- The daily roadbook and the GPX tracks of the route with the profile
- Luggage transport (maximum 13kg per person) between the 3 stages
- Unlimited access to the hotel spa on days 3 and 4 until 3pm
- 1 wellness back massage OR a relaxation massage OR 1 40-minute Best Off treatment
- The entrance to Fleckenstein Castle
- Detailed travel documents including addresses and telephone numbers of service providers
- Atout France guarantee included: secure booking and travel protection guaranteed
- The 24/7 Telephone Hotline
The price does not include
- Tourist taxes (to be paid on site)
- Treatments or extras other than those included in the program
- The outward journey to Wissembourg and the return journey from Niederbronn
- Picnics, dinners and extras
- The solo departure supplement is €180 (mandatory for all solo bookings).
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Traveling with my dog : CHF54.89 / unit
- Stay in a 2*/3* hotel the night before departure (half double room) : CHF68.61 / person
- Stay in a 2*/3* hotel the night before departure (single room) : CHF99.71 / person
- Stay in a gîte the night before departure (half double room) : CHF50.31 / person
- Staying in a gîte the night before departure (single room) : CHF53.97 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
A good pair of shoes (not new) and walking poles. A more detailed list will be provided upon booking.
Clothing to bring
Technical clothing for all weather conditions, adapted to the season and in which you feel comfortable for trekking.
A swimsuit will find its place in your day bag at certain stages, where, after your day of walking, you will like to relax in the sauna or the pool.
They traveled with us
