As you can tell from my previous blog posts, this summer has been definitely more about outdoor activities, than travelling and visiting places. But at least there are no covid rules for hiking or cycling. So, between my usual bicycle trips, I am also mixing in some hiking. Either way, there is definitely plenty on activities to choose from. Not only the castles and ruins in the Schwarzwald, but also in the Alsace region of France. So, this time, I decided hiking the Koenigsbourg and the Saint-Ulrich castle in France. It was really beautiful!
Saint-Ulrich Castle 
Koenigsbourg Castle
The castles of Alsace
Hiking the Saint-Ulrich Castle
Overlooking the town Ribeauville, the Saint-Ulrich Castle (le Chateau de Saint-Ulrich) is one of three castles on one hill, sitting between (or next to) the Chateau du Haut-Ribeaupierre and Chateau du Girsberg. The 2.4km hike up to the castles is pretty easy all up. Starting at the beautiful wineries and a steep hill, it leads into a nice forest and always a view of the Chateau itself. And the view from up there is just breathtaking!
Although, at the beginning of the hike, it feels like the castle Saint-Ulrich is very very far away.
Looking at the Chateau du Girsberg 
After you explore the Saint-Ulrich Castle you should definitely make your way to the castle next door, the Chateau du Girsberg. It is only 230m. And once you over there, you get a great view of the big Saint-Ulrich castle. Pretty stunning actually!
But why did they built the castles so close to each other?
Looking at the Sain-Ulrich Castle 
Chateau du Girsberg
I was short on time that day and so I didn’t make it to the third castle on the top, although only 790m further up, the Chateau du Haut-Ribeaupierre. But I am sure I will be back here again, especially to the cute little village Ribeauville.
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Hiking the Koenigsbourg Castle
To hike the Koenigsbourg Castle I decided to start at the small town Orschwiller. I parked near the church and off I went. Although clearly visible from the bottom of the town, looking like a tiny dot far away, during the hike, I couldn’t get a view of the castle at all. Not even a glimpse. It was certainly well hidden.
I am not sure if you can when you walk Saint-Hippolyte or KIintzheim, but I might try next time.
Orschwiller 
It was a shame because the castle is really grand and beautiful. I almost needed another hill next to this hill (like at the Saint-Ulrich Castle) to get a great view of the Koenigsbourg Castle.
Furthermore, because I didn’t want to pay the 9 Euro entry to go inside the castle, I just walked the hiking trails behind and around the walls. I even found a ruin that looked pretty awesome. There was nobody around (I guess everybody was inside the castle), so I enjoyed exploring it all by myself.
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Les Chateaux d’Alsace – Summary
Even though hiking the Koenigsbourg Castle is more popular I liked hiking the Saint-Ulrich castle just a little bit more. Was it the fact that I could explore the two ruins more freely? Without entry? Or because I had a better view of the two castles? I am not sure. Either way, you should definitely explore both. And many more.. there is certainly no shortage of castles and ruins in the Alsace region.
Well, originally I was planning to hike three different castles at three different locations (incl. the Koenigsbourg Castle) but I realised very quickly that I wouldn’t have enough time for it. Mainly because of all the traffic (it is the winery route after all), the lengths of the hikes and me having to go back home to solve a personal issue. Oh well!
That said, only a few weeks later, I hiked the Old Schloss in Baden-Baden, Germany. And that was pretty stunning! I hope you are still keen to hear more about my castle hikes. xx
(post 165)
