Ortenbourg Castle – Bernstein Castle loop from Saint-Maurice

Hiking trails & Routes

Ortenbourg Castle – Bernstein Castle loop from Saint-Maurice

Hard

2.0

(1)

hikers

Ortenbourg Castle – Bernstein Castle loop from Saint-Maurice

06:01

20.5km

570m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 5, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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9.78 km

Ramstein Castle Ruins

Highlight • Castle

Ramstein Castle was built in 1293 by Otto von Ochsenstein to support the siege of the neighboring Ortenberg Castle. After being owned by the Zorn von Bulach family, it was destroyed by the Strasbourg family in the 15th century. Initially consisting of a simple tower, the castle was later expanded into a proper castle, which was destroyed by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War. Today, only the outer wall and two gun towers remain, built in 1793 to defend the entrance to the Vosges Mountains.

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10.1 km

Ortenbourg Castle

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At the end of the ridge, at an altitude of 443 meters, lies Ortenbourg Castle, built between 1260 and 1265 by Rudolf Habsburg and one of the most beautiful ruins in the Rhine Valley. A masterpiece of military architecture, with its high gorge surrounding a 32-meter-long dungeon, it is visible from afar and blends perfectly into the landscape. This dungeon offered six levels of defensive fire, and its pentagonal design allowed for better deflection of attackers' projectiles. The recently founded association "Les sentinelles de l'Ortenbourg" (Ortenbourg Sentinels) aims to preserve, expand, and revitalize the castle.

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10.1 km

Ortenbourg Castle information board

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Ramstein Castle ruins were built in the 13th century as a small fortified castle near Ortenbourg to defend it. Destroyed in the 15th century, they were never rebuilt. Today, only remnants of the walls remain, and the peacefully situated ruins are freely accessible and a popular destination for hikers.

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13.0 km

Kriegshurst

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Place without a view, a bench.

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14.2 km

Infotafel Burg Bernstein

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Bernstein Castle ruins were built in the 12th century and served to monitor important trade routes in Alsace. Later, they lost their military significance, were damaged in the 17th century, and fell into ruin. Today, the ruins are freely accessible and a popular hiking destination offering panoramic views across the Rhine plain.

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14.2 km

Bernstein Castle

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The Bernstein castle ruins are about 560 meters above sea level and, like most hilltop castles, offer an excellent panoramic view of the surrounding area.
The tower can be climbed.

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