Towards the sources of well-being

This second stage is dotted with castles and impressive viewpoints before a wellness break at Niederbronn-les-Bains.

With your rucksack on your back and shoes on your feet, you're ready for another day's walk on the Traversée du Massif des Vosges! Before setting off, make a short diversions to the Wachtfelt arch. Just off the route of the GR® 53, this surprising pink sandstone arch offers a natural window onto Obersteinbach, while the remains of the Petit Arnsbourg castle-built on an imposing rocky outcrop-also dominate the village.

Leave Obersteinbach and continue south. Stop off at the "üte des lavandières" (washerwomen's hut), which offers an exceptional view of the beautiful landscape!

Pass the rare remains of the Wittschloessel castle and linger for a while at the top of the Wittberg, a former observation post for the surrounding castles and the routes to Lorraine in the west and the Palatinate in the east. The view is superb!
A little further on, discover the semi-troglodytic Vieux Windstein castle, destroyed like most of its neighbours by French troops in the 17th century. As for the Nouveau-Windstein castle, it has been better preserved and maintained, and boasts some unusual architectural features.

Your route to Niederbronn takes you through the Grand Wintersberg massif. The curious Liese rock is a must-see feature of this massif. This monolithic boulder probably dates back to Celtic or Gallo-Roman times. A meeting place for lovers, popular legend has it that this rock is linked to the cult of fertility.

The summit of the Grand Wintersberg forest massif is also the highest point in the Northern Vosges at 581 m altitude. Here you will find a panoramic tower built at the end of the 19th century by the Club Vosgien. From the top of the 25m-high tower, you can enjoy superb views over the entire region, including the Vosges du Nord massif, the Black Forest and the nearby Palatinate. On a clear day, you can even see Strasbourg cathedral!

The route continues downhill towards Niederbronn-les-Bains. Make the most of your evening in the spa to treat yourself to a moment of relaxation and well-being. The benefits of its waters have been exploited since Roman times: after effort, comfort!