Exchanging views, raising awareness, and being understood by local dwellers and visitors alike: to achieve these objectives, the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park offers digital information points within a ‘Park discovery’ context, complete with interactive maps, touchscreen tablets, films, etc., as well as a calendar of events.

Information Point

Located in the new media library of the Munster valley, the ‘information point’ includes:

Digital Map

With this 2D map, visitors can discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park around various themes:

  • landscapes, nature, culture
  • sites to see (museums, heritage sites, entertainment spots, parks and gardens, thermal baths, tourist routes, etc.)
  • farmhouses, farm shops, etc.
  • nature activities (walks and hikes, water sports, mountain biking, climbing etc.)

Other themes are also addressed around sustainable transport as well as the Park’s missions and challenges.

Selection of documents published or co-published by the Park.

 

Opening Hours

The information point is accessible at the same opening times as the Munster Valley multimedia library:

  • Tuesdays, from 3 to 8 pm
  • Wednesdays, from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm
  • Thursdays and Fridays, from 3 pm to 6.30 pm
  • Saturdays, from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm

Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The Munster Valley Multimedia Library

The new multimedia library of the Munster Valley first opened its doors in September 2019 in the ‘Prélat’ building, located in the premises that had previously housed the ‘Maison du Parc’ since 1994.

In this new multimedia library, young people and adults alike have access to books, documentaries, comics, magazines, mangas, audio and audiovisual documents (CDs, DVDs, video games), as well as new media such as touchscreen tablets, reading devices with free wifi access, and a website with access to the catalogue and other online digital resources. 

Things to do in the area

Walks and Hikes

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  • The Petit Ballon Trail – Steinberg Starts from the path at the foot of the Petit Ballon. Natural menhirs and blueberries border the trail, among cows. Stunning view of the Munster Valley and the Alsace Plain. Telluric site. The Petit Ballon is surrounded by numerous farmhouse-inns.
  • The Hohrodberg-Le Linge 1914/1918 Historical Trail. This walk will take you along the many remaining relics of the Le Linge Battle, to better understand the events behind this human tragedy (brochure available at the Tourist Office in Munster and at the Hohrod Townhall; download at www.cc-vallee-munster.fr)
  • The Galtz Trail. Starting from the Ammerschwihr Church, along the Castle of Wineck and through the forest, it offers a breathtaking view of the Alsace Plain and the Vosges from the Galtz Monument.
  • The Aspach Valley Botanical Track. One hour’s gentle walk starting from the La Forge forest house, along the cycle path then through the forest and its wide variety of aromatic notes.
  • Walks from the Holandsbourg, toward the Château of Pflixbourg or Husseren-les-Châteaux, many walks are available for every taste and physical aptitude.
  • A Farm, a Hike The Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park created a range of hiking trails in partnership with the Haut-Rhin Farmhouse-Inns Association. Easy and not exceeding one hour, these are ideal before or after mealtime walks, offering great viewpoints on natural and cultural sceneries, as well as on agricultural activities in the area.

Sites to Discover

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  • The Linge Battlefield.A very varied hike accessible in all weathers, first crossing the Linge battlefield to discover the geographical features and vestiges of one of the deadliest World War I sites. A memorial stands on the heights of Hohrodberg, towards Orbey, in remembrance of the harsh battles that took place there in 1915, killing 15,000 French hunters. The Linge Memorial Museum and its World War I Battlefield are open from April until November from 09:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00.
    www.linge1915.com
    Also worth visiting: the German Cemetery on the Linge Road.
  • La Maison du Fromage (Cheese House). The famous Munster cheese now has its own house in Alsace! Follow every manufacturing step with films, exhibitions, educational workshops, cowshed visits, cheese-making demonstrations, tastings… along the visit, you will be seized by what makes the beauty and originality of this valley.
    +33 (0) 389 779 000
    info@mdf-munster.fr / www.maisondufromage-munster.com
  • The Route du Fromage (Cheese Road) and the Farmhouse-Inns. Travel along the Alsatian “Route du Fromage” to discover cheese production and manufacturing processes in an original way, and enjoy local specialties – including the farmhouse Munster – at cheesemongers, inns and farmhouse-inns.
    routeducheese-munster.com/
  • The Rothenbach / The Permanent Centre of Initiatives for the Environment in Rothenbach. Located at an altitude of 1,200 metres on the Rothenbach high stubble, the Nature and Environment Initiation Centre welcomes visitors during the high season. Located half-way between the Col de la Schlucht and the Markstein, this building is an ideal starting point to discover and observe the Hautes-Vosges Mountains.
    cpie-hautes-vosges.com
  • The Haut Chitelet High-Altitude Garden. Nestled at the heart of the Vosges Mountains in an outstanding natural environment, near the Crest Road, the Haut Chitelet High-Altitude Garden is totally devoted to mountain flora. Thematic rocky grounds shelter plants from major mountains in France, Europe, as well as North America and Asia. More than 2,500 species flourish in harsh and mountainous weather conditions. The Vosges flora is put to the fore : plants from forests and stubble fields, peatland flora, fern, mountain shrubs, medicinal plants… a lush flora fond of cool and damp climates develops along the Vologne, which takes its source in the Garden. The reception chalet regularly proposes small exhibitions.
    website
  • Parc Accrobranche (Treetop Adventure Park) : Form’Aventures. Form’Aventures proposes 9 different Treetop Adventure Courses – levels ranging from easy to advanced – for physical endurance aficionados. Throughout your adventure course you will have to suspend yourself from cables, walk on tightropes, throw yourself into the void, and gather all your strength at the end to cling to lianas without falling onto the safety net…
    +33 (0) 781 900 357
    www.formaventures.com
  • Hohlandsbourg Château. Built in the 19th century, the Hohlandsbourg Château practically sank into oblivion 500 years later. Today, this partly restored historical Wintzenheim Monument is really worth going out of your way to see. It offers a breathtaking view, and is a great tourist site for family outings. Take the time to participate to the many activities on offer. Guided tours, historical re-enactments or medieval banquets will immerse you into the heart of the Middle Ages.
    +33 (0) 389 301 020 – info@chateau-hohlandsbourg.com – chateau-hohlandsbourg.com