THE SAUER AND STEINBACH VALLEYS, COUNTRY OF FORTIFIED CASTLES
	In these valleys located in the outermost parts of Alsace, you will find a little piece of paradise. With its abundant greenery and the houses that spot the countryside, it’s picture-perfect! Seperated by a couple of kilometers, the towns of NIEDERSTEINBACH and OBERSTEINBACH are excellent starting points for discovering remains of fortified castles. The "border" town seperating the Vosges Mountains and the German Palatinate, Obersteinbach itself has the Fortified Castle Museum. Situated on a needle-shaped rock, the ruins of the PETIT ARNSBERG castle seem to hang over the town. In about 15 minutes from Obersteinbach, you can reach the LUTZELHARDT castle. Not far from the Lutzelhardt, you will come across the "JUDENHUBEL" boulder. The name due to its curious shape: the hat the Jewish population had to wear in the Middle Ages. You can also visit the FLEKENSTEIN castle (see "Lembach"). Also starting in Obersteinbach, a road will take you along the GOETZENBERG Mountain (also known as the "pagan mountain" with traces from the Neolithic Age) and will lead you to the WASIGENSTEIN castles. But before the castles, don't miss the ZIGEUNERFELSEN, the "Gypsys' rock". The legend goes that in the 18th century the gypsy gangs hid out here after terrorizing various village populations. One day, however, these villagers fight back and, having trapped the bandits up against this rock, burn them alive. THE MOSSIG HIGH VALLEY - The Alsatian Switzerland The "Alsatian Switzerland" name applies perfectly to this paradise where nature and walking trails are boss, where the villages of ENGENTHAL-WANGENBOURG delight at the foot of the Schneeberg Massif. If you desire a healthy rejuvination through horse riding, mountain biking, fishing or fitness circuits, jump over to Wangenbourg. Right after the church, an old linden tree indicates the road that leads to the enormous boulder where the ruins (13th & 14th centuries) lie in peace. On the SOMMET DU SCHNEEBERG (960m or 3200ft), you will find the "Lottelfels" rock possessing so many legends. The village of OBERSTEIGEN and its clearing offer an ideal setting for a refreshing weekend. Numerous marked trails will lead you to the waterfall, the Fountain of Zeigbach, the Pine Forest and much, much more. Not far from the COL DU VALSBERG, the Saint-Martin Rock once had the "power", so its said, to make women fertile... For more information on Petite Pierre and these sights, click here. Adaptation and Translation: Sarah BROSSART-TARDIVON

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