The best walks and hikes around Ottendorf

The „German infantry outpost at the Largue bridge“ is indeed an interesting installation from the First World War. It is located at the so-called Kilomètre Zéro, where the former Western Front began on the Franco-Swiss border near Pfetterhouse / Mooslargue. The installation is designated as structure No. 8. It was a small concrete casemate for observation and defense. It was built by German troops in the autumn of 1915. Its task was primarily to monitor the exit of the road bridge over the Largue. From there, it was possible to observe whether French soldiers were advancing across the bridge or along the road. The five firing slits are particularly interesting. Together, they covered approximately a 180° area. This allowed the crew to control a relatively large section in front of the position. This is particularly exciting: the road bridge at the time had a stone arch. It was destroyed by the Germans in 1917 because a French attack with tanks was feared. It is also interesting that other German installations are located nearby – including a machine gun outpost at the Moos bridge, blocking positions, and another infantry casemate. The entire area can be explored today via the „Sentier du Kilomètre Zéro“.

The railway bridges near Pfetterhouse The former Largtalbahn Dannemarie–Pfetterhouse–Bonfol ran directly through the front line. The French army not only used the infrastructure for transport but also integrated the railway line and its bridges into the military infrastructure. The bridges in Bannholz, immediately east/southeast of Pfetterhouse station, are particularly interesting. Today, remnants of the former railway bridges can still be seen there. https://www.flickr.com/photos/94033413@N06/albums/72157633003469056/

The Largtalbahn: Dannemarie–Pfetterhouse–Bonfol The line was called Largtalbahn in German, or the Dannemarie–Pfetterhouse railway line. It ran from Dannemarie (Dammerkirch) through the Largtal via Dannemarie → Altenach → Mertzen → Friesen → Seppois-le-Bas → Pfetterhouse → Swiss border → Bonfol → Porrentruy. The French section was about 20 km long. The line opened in 1910 and was initially a connection within the then German Empire, or between the German Empire and Switzerland. When the line was built, Alsace still belonged to the German Empire. The state treaty for the railway connection between Pfetterhausen and Bonfol was concluded in 1906 between the German Empire and Switzerland. With the start of the First World War, cross-border traffic was stopped. The border between Pfetterhouse and Bonfol was closed. At the same time, Pfetterhouse was located directly at the southern end of the Western Front. The railway could no longer be used simply as a normal international connection. The military significance of the area was considerable: military operations took place in the forests on both sides of the border, partly to prevent Alsatians from fleeing to Switzerland. Even today, traces of shell impacts are still present there.

A beautiful chapel along the way, with an interesting information panel about the escape of a French officer during World War II.

Mörsberg Castle, sometimes called the "Alsatian Pierrefonds," contains impressive remains of the defensive structures surrounding its keep: the flanking tower, which defended the former lodge with several window openings, and the enormous vaulted cellar, more than 50 meters long.

Good spot for a photo. The path around the lake offers many opportunities to stand on the shore.

In the centre of Bonfol the path is signposted

Vegetation is not very exciting, like in Switzerland, in a normal forest. The only highlight is the Étang de Bonfol.