Gimbelhof Four Castle Hike

Are you curious about Gimbelhof in the French Alsace?

What better way to understand the history and life of this border region of France and Germany than to hike between 4 of its romantic medieval castles on one border criss-crossing hike?

Leaf carpeted trails, tiny villages of half timbered cottages with flower draped windows and romantic medieval castle ruins embedded atop red sandstone mountaintops make this lesser-known destination perfect for a holiday weekend mini-adventure for history lovers and families.

TL;DR: Family friendly hike with 4 amazing castle ruins in an easy 4 mile loop with great stops for local food and drinks. It’s one of my favorite hikes in Germany.

Gimbelhof Four Castle Hike

🎥 Walk with me on the hike in October’s Fall splendour.

Gimbelhof 4 Castles Hiking Map

Google map – Like a Hiking Guide in your pocket.

It includes step-by-step directions on how to walk to 4 historic castles on a gorgeous 4 mile loop and other non-hiking tours to go beyond the typical cities of Strasbourg and Colmar to learn about the tasty and charming Alsace region.

Read until the end where you can find a secluded spa hotel with it’s own 2 Michelin starred restaurant that rewards your day of hiking with upscale delicious cuisine.

More hikes nearby:

• Get close up to Germany’s dark past on the Dragon’s Teeth Hike.
• Dare to cross Germany’s 2nd longest suspension bridge? Geierlay hike and parking guide.
• St Wendel Germany : This small town in nearby Germany offers great ambiance and playgrounds for the kids to enjoy the hikes too.

German-French 4 Castles Hike

After you park you can use their playground, restaurant, cafe and toliets. Then starting on the path walk past the playground into the forest. Then the castles you’ll hike by are in order:

• Castle Loewenstein (ruin)
• Castle Hohenbourg (ruin)
• Burgruine Wegelnburg (best for photos)
• Fleckenstein Castle (paid entrance, free cafe)

The loop is not difficult but there are some hills.

When You Can Hike the Gimbelhof 4 Castles Trail

It’s possible all year, but the best time is in October where you can have the trail to yourself and the restaurants are still open.

This hiking area is located in the single largest forest in Europe. It spans the French and German borders. In Germany it’s called the Palatinate forrest and in France it is called the Vosges.

However, it’s really the same continuous forest dotted with dozens of castles and distinctive red stone spires atop cone shaped small mountains.

You can hike year round, but many huts and restaurants will close at the beginning of November and reopen in April or May depending upon weather.

This simple loop spans the border between France and Germany. It’s part of a larger 33 kilometer trail that gets to many more castle ruins, but this section hits the highlights in a short distance.

Germany France 4 Castles Hike : Trail Report

If you come to this hike from Germany you’ll cross the French border and the road turns into what seems like a large bike path. Don’t worry you can drive on it legally. You’ll enter the Sickingen” forest. That’s right, the same Sickingen that is the bloody baron of Landstuhl.

Mobile service is poor here so just follow the ample signs toward “Gimbelhof”. It’s just 2-3 km past the border and you’ll see the parking lot next to the hotel and restaurant.

Here you can get expansive views of Château de Fleckenstein.

The hiking loop starts by going through the charming playground next to the Gimbelhof parking lot. Take your first left along the fence and get right into the wooded single track filled with dappled forest light.

Keep an eye out to the left for amazing views of Castle Fleckenstein. Make your way up to Col Hohenburg at 475 meters. It’s a crossroads of many trails. Pass tree with sign and then take a right at the 3 forks – take most right fork. You’ll come onto a wide logging road and then immediately take a single track uphill toward Löwenstein. Do the Krappenfels another time.

The ruin will surprise you! 

This castle ruin has a large ladder that is unsuitable for dogs but great views from the top with railings.

What’s interesting about this destination is that you can climb onto and inside the castle ruins to really feel the history and capture mountaintop views of the cone shaped forest of the Palatinate – Northern Vosges UNESCO world biosphere reserve.

With 1000s of kilometers of hiking, mountain biking and strolling paths it’s for people of all ability levels this forest invites people to enjoy Nature and history in the same experience.

While walking on the 4 Castles Trail you’ll pass between France and Germany multiple times.

The rocky outcroppings and steep hills of the Palatinate and Vosges du Nord made for the perfect for defensive fortresses

This forested borderland between France and Germany has switched hands innumerable times, and the borders are not so clear.

This guide is for history lovers who want to merge in a little Nature on their travels.

Next along the tour is Château de Hohenbourg just a few hundred meters up the trail. It’s perfect for spooky photos.

Once past this ruin you’ll walk toward the Maidenbrunnen (of the White Lady lore) and Germany. You’ll notice the signs shift quickly and you’ll walk past your typical square German jagdhütte. There’s 2 sets of impressive “fels” or rocks on your left, including one with a hidden shrine.

Straight in front will be the Castle Ruin Wegelnburg. This is a photographer’s dream with no railings and gorgeous 360 deg views perfect for sunrise and sunset.

I repeat, no railings!

It’s said that the Princess here has to be kissed as a snake and then a toad. I wonder if this is the origin of the princess and the frog legend.

You’ll have to walk slightly downhill along the hexatrek to get back to France and the final stop, Château de Fleckenstein. This one has a great cafe and chill out area in front, but the actual castle ruin is gated and there are multiple fake knights.

Can you feel the difference between France and Germany?

You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to climb onto it. The route ambles back to Gimbelhof along a soft wooded trail.

Gimbelhof & Alsace France Trail Travel Guide

How to Get to Gimbelhof

Welcome to the Alsace of eastern France. It’s known for stunning red pinnacle spire mountains, impossibly cute villages, castles and delicious foods like flammkuchen (a type of white pizza), quiches and sauerkraut.

The easiest way to reach this hiking and cultural area is by car. It is good to pair with an overnight trip that includes time spent in nearby Colmar or Strasbourg. The famous Alsatian wine route is in this Vosges mountain region and tours of the medieval über cute villages like Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg.

Where to Stay : Hotel Guide Gimbelhof

The Gimbelhof Hotel has capacity for 20 people. Contact them directly for rates but room start at 50 euros. However, if the hotel is full these hotels nearby offer a similar Nature experience.

Best Hotel for Families Exploring Nature

A stay at L’auberge Du Cheval Blanc offers an indoor pool and spa, a 2 star Michelin starred restaurant, aesthetician treatments and gorgeous rooms. Some of the Auberge Du Cheval Blanc’s guest rooms have an individual spa, with a balneo bath, sauna and Feng-Shui design. Kids and dogs are welcome.

Best Hotel for Eco-Friendly Luxury

Book at the La Source du Sens Spa hotel for a true getaway and sensory experience. It is adults only and full of luxurious touches. Beautiful, spacious and quiet.

Best Budget Hotel

The Hotel Restaurant le Cleebourg offers a comfortable stay including a children’s playground and a sauna. It has a paid breakfast service.

Super Budget : Car Mattress

Summer can be challenging to get accommodations if you don’t plan early!  If you’re out of luck finding a room, try getting a mattress for the back of your SUV as it’s totally legal to sleep one night in your car in France.  There’s nothing like waking up to Vosge forest in the morning. 

Hütten : Huts

Various mountain huts line these forests that are seasonally open with community bunk beds and restaurants. Check their website for more information on booking. 

Where to Eat : Restaurant Gimbelhof

Do not go without a reservation to the main restaurant in Gimbelhof as you’ll likely be turned away. However there is a cafeteria serving all kinds of traditional snacks, hot foods and drinks if you cannot get a table.

The Fleckenstein castle also has a cafe near the entrance that serves up really great and inexpensive wine and quiches.

➡️ For a really cool experience book a table at the 2 star Michelin starred restaurant Au Cheval Blanc Niedersteinbach. It is a 12 minute drive from the hiking trailhead. That’s a perfect day!!

Best Things to Do:

• Iron Mines of Nothweiler
• Swimming Pool in Dahn
• Hoeffler of Lobsann Distillery
• Cleebourg Wine Cellar
• Biosphere Fischbach
• Castle of Challenges Family Adventure at Castle Fleckenstein

6 Best Tours in the Alsace

FAQ Gimbelhof

When is the 4 castles trail open?

It’s open year round. Fleckenstein castle has opening hours of 10 – 5:30 daily.

Is there a Christmas Market nearby?

Yes, and it’s absolutely medieval magical.  Here’s an Alsace Christmas market tour based out of Strasbourg.

How much time do you need for the 4 Castles hike?

2.5 – 3 hours for the loop and time to take photos of the 4 castles.

How long is 4 Castles hike?

There are many hiking trails around Gimbelhof and its parking area. The easiest trail has an elevation gain of about 750 feet and is about 4 miles long. It takes about 2 – 2.5 hours to do the loop.

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I hope you enjoyed this Gimbelhof and Germany France 4 castles hike report.