The Kysithal
A Large, Charming Holiday Cottage
Tourism – Activities
Things to do in the surrounding area
The GR5
The GR5 route across the Vosges (often combined with the GR53 in its northern section) is one of the most beautiful mid-mountain hikes in Europe.
This route is also the first in France to have been awarded the ‘Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe’ label, a mark of excellence for the quality of its trails and landscapes.
Here’s what characterises this legendary trek of around 400 to 430 km (usually covered in 18 to 20 stages):
🥾 The route: from the north to the south of the massif. The great traverse traditionally begins at the German border and ends on the outskirts of the Territoire de Belfort:
The GR53 (from Wissembourg to Schirmeck / Donon): This is the Alsatian introduction to the Northern Vosges. The atmosphere here is very wooded, characterised by vast pine forests and majestic pink sandstone cliffs topped by ruined castles (such as Fleckenstein Castle or Lichtenberg).
The GR5 (from Donon to Belfort): Starting from Donon (a sacred peak offering exceptional views), you join the official GR5 trail. The path gradually climbs in altitude. You pass by the famous Mont Sainte-Odile (a major spiritual site in Alsace) and follow the wine route, overlooking restored castles such as the majestic Haut-Koenigsbourg. The High Vosges (La Ligne des Crêtes):
This is the most spectacular and alpine section. Between the Col du Bonhomme, the Hohneck (where you can easily spot chamois at sunrise), the Grand Ballon (the highest point at 1,424 m) and the Ballon d’Alsace, the trail winds through the ‘chaumes’ (high-altitude meadows). The panoramic views stretch 360°: on a clear day, you can see the Alsace plain, the German Black Forest and the entire Swiss Alps.
🎯 Highlights of the Vosges GR5: ‘Club Vosgien’ signposting: Throughout the entire route, the signposting is incredibly precise. The GR5 is marked by the famous red rectangle (the GR53 by a red rectangle crossed out in white or a blue rectangle, depending on the section). It’s impossible to get lost. Historical heritage:
Few trails offer such a wealth of history. You’ll walk past the remains of the First World War (notably at Vieil-Armand / Hartmannswillerkopf), pass close to the former Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp, and visit countless medieval castles. The cuisine of the farmhouse inns:
This is the real luxury of this trek. On the ridges, the marcairies (mountain farms) serve the traditional marcaire meal (valley pie, smoked pork neck served with ‘Roigabrageldi’ – potatoes simmered in butter – and blueberry tart). An unbeatable, comforting break after a steep climb!
🎒 Practical information to get you startedFitness level: Although this is a mid-mountain trek, the cumulative elevation gain is far from negligible (around 15,000 m of total ascent). Certain physically demanding sections (such as the ascent from Thann or towards the Grands Ballons) require stamina.Accommodation: Wild camping/bivouacking is strictly regulated, particularly within the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park and nature reserves (where bivouacking is often prohibited or restricted to very specific areas). However, the massif is brimming with stopover gîtes, Club Vosgien refuges and hotels. Best time to visit: May to October. In spring, the countryside bursts into lush greenery; in autumn, the beech and fir forests take on magnificent, flamboyant colours. In winter, the ridges are snow-covered and are best explored on snowshoes or cross-country skis.
Club Vosgien
The association’s activities
A guiding principle: ‘A love of nature, its protection and promotion’
Creation, maintenance and signposting of walking trails: 400 km for the Sarrebourg-Abreschviller branch, 1,200 km for the Pays de Sarrebourg region.
For these same trails, every Wednesday morning, around twenty volunteers prepare and install facilities such as benches, picnic tables, steps, footbridges, handrails, shelters, etc.
Publishing and distributing guidebooks and maps at scales of 1:50,000 and 1:25,000.
Exploring our region’s natural and historical heritage with our guides.
Meeting point: Allée des Aulnes – Sarrebourg for carpooling to a meeting point, the time and location of which are specified on our Facebook page
on Wednesdays during walks lasting 2 to 3 hours, suitable for everyone;
on Sundays, on hikes usually suited to experienced walkers, lasting 5 to 6 hours.
We organise more challenging walks with our Nordic walking section
Departure: 1.30 pm in front of the Malleray socio-cultural centre – Sarrebourg for carpooling to a meeting point specified on our Facebook page
Organisation of eco-tourism outings to stroll, let your imagination run wild and immerse yourself in the forest
We organise more social events and outings such as the ‘Descente du Donon’ on the last Sunday in July, a pea soup lunch on the first Sunday in November, etc.
Our association takes part in numerous events in collaboration with the Sarrebourg Tourist Office: the 8 May and 15 August celebrations, the Christmas parade, etc.
The Rocher du Donon
The **Rocher du Donon** (often simply called **the Donon**), rising to **1,009 metres above sea level**, is one of the most iconic, mystical and fascinating peaks in the Vosges mountains. Situated on the border between Alsace and Lorraine (in the Bas-Rhin), it proudly overlooks the Bruche Valley and stands as a veritable natural viewpoint.
Here is the history and the secrets of this legendary ‘sacred mountain’:
🏛️ A sacred mountain since prehistoric times
The Donon is not merely a geographical peak; it is a spiritual centre that has been frequented for millennia:
* **A Celtic meeting place:** As far back as the Neolithic and Protohistoric periods, its distinctive trapezoidal shape, visible from a great distance, made it a strategic gathering place and site of worship. It marked the border and the point of contact between three major Celtic peoples: the Mediomatriques (on the Metz side), the Triboques (on the Alsace plain side) and the Leuques (on the Toul side).
* **The Gallo-Roman sanctuary of Mercury:** The Romans, in turn captivated by the site’s atmosphere, established a major sanctuary there dedicated to **Mercury** (god of travellers and trade – a particularly fitting choice for such a crossroads). Numerous votive stelae and sculptures have been discovered there (the originals are now on display in the museums of Épinal and Strasbourg, but replicas line the hiking trail).
🛕 The mysterious ‘Temple’ of the Donon
The summit’s most iconic feature is its **Greco-Roman-style temple**.
Contrary to what one might think, this monument is not ancient: it is an archaeological pastiche built in **1869** under Napoleon III (designed by the architect Louis-Michel Boltz) to house and showcase the finds made during excavations of the site.
Built from large blocks of pink Vosges sandstone cut in the traditional style, this temple—exposed to the elements—blends perfectly into the rocky landscape and lends the summit an almost surreal atmosphere, particularly when mist rolls in or snow covers it in winter.
✍️ A poetic anecdote: Victor Hugo’s conception
An astonishing legend surrounds the summit. The father of the famous writer Victor Hugo, General Léopold Hugo – then a young officer stationed in the region – wrote to his son that he had been conceived on the summit of the Donon.
A plaque engraved on a rock on the summit, on the south-eastern side, commemorates this remarkable event:
> *“On this spot, on the 5th of Floréal, Year IX, Victor Hugo was conceived.”*
🥾 How to get there and explore it?
The Rocher du Donon is a key stop for hikers making the transition between the GR53 and the GR5. It is a prominent landmark as it opens up the route to the central and southern parts of the Vosges mountains.
* **The classic route (the historic loop):**
The walk usually starts from the Col du Donon car park (opposite the Haut-Donon forest lodge). The climb is suitable for the whole family: it is approximately **4.5 km there and back** (allow 1½ to 2 hours’ walking and a 270-metre ascent). The archaeological trail is lined with highly informative signposts.
* **The Emperor’s Staircase:** To reach the summit plateau, you’ll climb a monumental stone staircase built for Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit at the end of the 19th century (when Alsace was under German rule).
* **The view:** Once at the summit, the reward is immense. The two orientation tables on the sandstone platform offer a 360° view overlooking the Alsace plain, neighbouring Lorraine, and the blue line of the Vosges stretching as far as the eye can see.
Cycle routes
The charming village of Abreschviller, nestled at the foot of the Moselle Vosges, is an ideal starting point for cyclists. Whether you’re a fan of peaceful family rides or a seasoned mountain biker seeking a challenge, the region offers excellent facilities.
🟢 The Two Sarres Greenway (Sarrebourg – Abreschviller)
This is the must-do route, perfectly suited to families, novice cycle tourists and inline skaters.
The route: This cycle path, approximately 16 to 18 km long, links Abreschviller to Sarrebourg, following the Sarre Rouge valley.
Safety & Comfort: Largely built on the bed of a former railway line, it is a dedicated cycle path (completely closed to motorised vehicles). The surface is a smooth, high-quality tarmac.
The scenery: The route is very flat and shaded, winding through idyllic, leafy countryside featuring meadows, forests and streams, passing through villages such as Lorquin and Nitting.
🚵 Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails
For those who prefer off-road cycling and the deep forests of the Vosges, the area is brimming with forest tracks and signposted trails.
The Circuit des Roches: A technical route of around 32 km with over 600 metres of elevation gain, reserved for experienced riders. It offers exceptional panoramic views from the summit of the Peugstein towards the Rocher de Dabo and the Donon massif.
The Circuit des Deux Vallées: A loop of around 35 km that takes you deeper into the massif and links the surrounding valleys, offering superb views of the Vosges landscape.
🗺️ Connections and extensions
From Sarrebourg (at the end of the greenway), long-distance cyclists can easily join the famous EuroVelo 5 (Via Romea Francigena) or the cycle path running alongside the Marne–Rhine Canal.
Center Parcs
Center Parcs Les Trois Forêts, situated in Hattigny in the Moselle (very close to Abreschviller), is one of the brand’s largest, newest and most popular resorts in France.
🟢 Highlights (What visitors love)
The exceptional Aqua Mundo: This is the resort’s centrepiece. Covering over 5,000 m², this indoor tropical water park (maintained at 29°C) is a massive hit.
The huge selection of slides (including the famous ‘Master Blaster’ with rubber rings), the wave pool, the wild river and the water play areas perfectly suited to very young children.
The natural setting and the absence of cars:
Nestled in the heart of a magnificent 435-hectare Vosges forest, the site offers a complete change of scenery. The ban on cars within the resort (car parks are at the entrance) ensures a calm, child-safe atmosphere, where everyone gets around by bike or electric golf trolley. The modern and comfortable cottages:
A paradise for children (and parents):
The educational farm, the huge indoor play area (Baluba), the treetop adventure courses, pony rides and the many creative workshops ensure that children never get bored.
The Deep Nature Spa:
For adults, the vast spa area (one of the brand’s largest, featuring an outdoor aquatic circuit, saunas, steam rooms and treatment rooms) is often described as an incredible haven of wellbeing amidst the trees.
Sainte-Croix Park
Located in Rhodes, just about twenty minutes from Abreschviller and Center Parcs, Sainte-Croix Park is one of Europe’s most famous and popular wildlife parks.
Here’s what you need to know about this haven of peace dedicated to biodiversity:
🌲 The concept: Nature on a grand scale
Sainte-Croix is not a traditional zoo, but a vast, unspoilt area of 120 hectares of woodland, ponds and meadows. The park is a national benchmark for showcasing European wildlife and endangered species in spacious enclosures that closely resemble their natural habitats.
🐺 The park’s highlights
The Land of Wolves: This is the park’s main attraction. Sainte-Croix is home to several wolf packs (European grey wolves, Arctic white wolves and Canadian black wolves). The viewing points and activities here are particularly immersive.
Europe’s large animals: Here you’ll encounter brown bears, lynx, European bison, wolverines, deer and herds of chamois. Every autumn, the park is flooded with visitors eager to witness the spectacular deer rutting season.
Unique accommodation (Staying amongst the animals): The park is a pioneer in offering unique overnight stays. It features superb eco-lodges where you can sleep amongst the deer or facing packs of wolves, for an unforgettable night-time experience.
The petting farm and safari train: Ideal for families, the park features a large petting farm where you can stroke domestic animals and a little train to travel through the vast semi-wild areas.
📊 The park in figures
1,500 animals in semi-freedom.
130 different species.
3 walking trails (from 1.5 to 4 km).
Around 350,000 visitors a year.
A little extra tip: Allow a full day to explore the park at a leisurely pace, as the site is vast and it’s best to take your time observing the animals!
Abreschviller Forest Railway
The Abreschviller Forest Railway Association is a non-profit organisation founded in 1968 with the aim of saving and operating part of the former forest railway network and preserving the existing rolling stock.
All administrative work, maintenance and the running of the site are managed by paid staff and volunteers.
The Association’s income consists mainly of ticket sales, membership fees and the sale of souvenirs.
Careful management and the involvement of volunteers ensure a balanced budget, although the costs of maintaining and operating a railway line are extremely high.
