Bernstein Castle

This granite fortress, one of the oldest in Alsace, is first mentioned in the early 11th century. It stands out for its well-preserved medieval architecture, featuring an imposing 18-meter-high keep, a hexagonal lordly residence equipped with arrow slits and round-arched windows, and a square tower that housed the castle chapel. Visitors are invited to reach the site on foot from the Saint-Sébastien Chapel via a marked trail with a blue disk, for a round trip of about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Car access is currently prohibited until August 31, 2026, due to fire risks. To get there by car, leave Dambach-la-Ville via the D35 heading north, then turn left at Blienschwiller onto the D203 towards Villé. Before the hilltop, take the left path (GR5) to the Schulwaldplatz parking lot. From there, a 20-minute walk follows the red rectangle (GR5). After about 100 meters, at the place called 'Kaesmarkt', the path splits: continue straight then turn left.