Discover Gunstett

Gunstett combines hiking trails on Mont de Gunstett with historic buildings and traces of its oil history. The Gunstett Pear Conservatory in the town center is another highlight, with around 400 trees and more than 150 varieties of pear. This gives you a range of options when planning your trip: you can choose routes based on their described features, while the church, washhouse and industrial history offer a glimpse into the town’s past.

Hiking trails on Mont de Gunstett

The “Promenade autour de Gunstett” starts at Saint-Michel Church and climbs to Mont de Gunstett. The route reaches a summit with panoramic views of the surrounding villages and landscapes. Hiking trails through the Nierderwald and the Sauer Valley end below Mont de Gunstett. This gives you different points of reference when planning your hikes: the Promenade has a named starting point and viewpoint, while the trails through the forest and valley are described by their route and destination.

The upper part of Mont de Gunstett is marked by a Calvary. Two large-leaved lime trees also stand on the mount; they are classified as remarkable trees at departmental level. The Calvary and the large-leaved lime trees are cultural and botanical features of the mount.

The “Circuit de randonnée de part et d’autre de la Sauer” continues over the hills of Gunstett. It is 17.6 kilometers long, with 226 meters of positive elevation gain. This circuit can therefore be assessed by its distance and elevation gain, while the Promenade is distinguished by its starting point and summit views. Route details may change, so check the latest information before your hike.

Church and washhouse

The former Saint-Michel Church probably consisted of a choir tower and a nave, both likely built at the end of the Middle Ages. The original choir tower retains a ground floor with a rib-vaulted ceiling and upper floors with loopholes. Construction of the new parish church of Saint-Michel began in 1780 and was completed in 1781. The surviving architectural history thus spans a probably medieval church building and a late-18th-century replacement.

The Lavoir de Morsbronn-les-Bains was built after 1871 on the banks of the Sauer, within the municipal territory of Gunstett. Sandstone slabs lead down to the Sauer in steps. Oak posts support the roof; the timber frame is made of bolted fir wood and timber joints secured with wooden pegs. The area around the washhouse was once a meeting place for bathing and was known as “Gunstett – Plage.” This former use and name are part of the town’s history; they do not indicate that bathing is currently available there.

Oil history and pear collection

Gunstett made its living from oil for around 40 years and became prosperous as a result. Oil well III had two gallery levels: one at a depth of 195 meters and the other at 401 meters. Together, these details illustrate two aspects of the town’s industrial history—the economic importance of oil and the technical dimensions of the well.

The Gunstett Pear Conservatory is in the town center, on a 25-are site near the church. The collection includes around 400 trees and more than 150 different pear varieties. Guided visits for groups are available by arrangement. If you would like to plan a guided visit, arrange a date before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Lingolsheim, Rottelsheim, Oberbronn, Westhoffen, Ittenheim, Stotzheim, Roppenheim, Wangenbourg-Engenthal.

For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.