Who said you had to go to the other side of the world to escape?

Discovering wonder close to home is possible and now is the perfect time! Every week this summer, we'll be sharing ideas for outdoor and nature getaways to enjoy in our corner of Alsace, or within an hour's drive of Haguenau.

Get on your bike for a loop to discover the Exceptional Forest®, starting from Haguenau

The Haguenau forest is so vast and so rich that appreciating its landscapes and biodiversity requires taking your time. To explore a large part of it, cycling remains the best way!

This 37 km loop without elevation and accessible to all has 2 variants.

Suggested departure: Haguenau station. Itineraries (it.) To follow: Haguenau center - Hundshof: it. town N ° 9; Hundshof - Walbourg: it. departmental N ° 20; Walbourg - Betschdorf: it. departmental N ° 52; Betschdorf - Gros-Chêne: it. departmental N ° 24; Gros Chêne - Haguenau center: it. town N ° 2.

For the link route (shorter and not marked out) of 16,5 km: on it. Departmental N ° 20, before Walbourg, turn right on the Grundel forest road which then becomes the Bruch forest road. At the roundabout (crossroads D72 and D263 - be careful), take the Rendel forest path opposite which will take you to the Gros-Chêne playground where an inn and its succulent tarts flambées await you.

We take advantage of this day to go out with our picnic of local products, find the list of our favorite places or visit our weekly markets.

Practical information : Visit the Tourist Office to pick up a free downloadable map of the complete forest trails (cycling, mountain biking, hiking, Nordic walking, fitness trail) . Bicycles and e-bikes can be rented from Vélo'Ritmo, located next to the train station in Haguenau.

At the crossroads of time and paths in Dehlingen (63 km from Haguenau)

Far from being a village of indomitable Gauls, Dehlingen is a peaceful, verdant town that hides a rich history waiting to be discovered: that of the Roman occupation of the area (remains from the 19th century). A good reason to explore this part of the so-called " Humpbacked " Alsace!

Starting from La Villa, the Heritage Interpretation Centre in Dehlingen (CIP), four trails will lead you through the remains of a Gallo-Roman villa and to the Gurtelbach archaeological site . Delve into the past to better understand the present, learn to decipher this preserved landscape , and the route takes you to the heights above Dehlingen with several breathtaking viewpoints.

Ideal for a breath of fresh air while admiring the scenery. A breathtaking 360° panoramic view awaits , encompassing Gallo-Roman ruins, the Donon pass towering in the distance, and wind turbines piercing the sky. The hike lasts from 2 hours to half a day, depending on the chosen route. However, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to explore the Villa , its shop selling local products, the shaded picnic area , and the experimental garden.

Practical information : 4 interpretive trails ranging from 1 to 3 km. Starting point: La Villa, 5 rue de l'église in Dehlingen. Trail maps are available for download.

For many more getaway ideas, consult the brochure "20 getaways in northern Alsace"!