Discover Labaroche: Culture, trails and views

If you’re looking for a hotel in Labaroche, it’s worth considering what you want to get out of your trip. The municipality combines cultural history and sacred architecture with hiking trails, a viewpoint, a mountain bike circuit and an educational farm. Each has a different focus: the Musée des métiers du bois centres on woodworking, while the Chapelle Saint-Wandrille is defined by its history and architecture. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on crafts, architectural history, landscapes or mohair production.

Woodworking and architectural history

The Musée des métiers du bois explores trees in the forest and woodworking from the late 19th to the early 20th century. It covers the journey from the tree as a raw material to the working of wood, all within a clearly defined historical period. For travellers interested in crafts and their history, the museum is a distinctive cultural highlight in Labaroche.

The Chapelle Saint-Wandrille was rebuilt in 1888 and 1889. It suffered severe damage during both world wars; members of the local community restored it, and it reopened for worship in 1978. It is the only sanctuary in Alsace dedicated to Saint Wandrille. Its design can also be recognised by specific details: the front gable wall is made of dressed stone, with a porch in front. Three pointed windows with trefoil tracery, a wooden bell turret and a slate roof complete its appearance.

Hiking trails and views

Labaroche’s hiking trail network has five starting points near various car parks in the municipality. A municipal information notice from 2015 described the marked circular trails as open to the public at the time and as a way to discover the municipality’s varied landscapes. Before setting out, check the latest information on trails and parking.

One named viewpoint is the small summit of Gestion, at 876 metres. From there, you can enjoy views of the Pays Welsche and the Hautes Vosges. The circular trails offer a way to discover the municipality’s varied landscapes, while Gestion is a specific high point with named viewpoints. These offer two different ways to explore: focusing on a single summit or following the landscape on circular trails.

Mountain bike circuit and Château du Hohnack

The mountain bike circuit “Circuit VTT 8 – le tour de Labaroche” starts in La Place, goes through Giragoutte and past the Croix de Wihr, runs close to the Château du Hohnack, then descends to Moreyfontaine. These place names give you a concrete idea of the route without reducing it to a single destination.

The Château du Hohnack site is visible at all times, but entry to the castle itself is not permitted. As physical access restrictions may change due to maintenance work, check the latest conditions before your visit. Families can also enjoy the “balade ludique - le château du Hohnack”, a fun walk where children solve age-appropriate puzzles. The mountain bike circuit and this walk are two distinct activities, differing in both how you get around and what you do.

An insight into mohair production

Ferme à La Bassette is an educational farm in Labaroche. It keeps around 80 Angora goats for mohair production. The farm regularly welcomes groups and families and introduces them to the animals, goat farming and mohair products. Here, the focus is on animal husbandry and producing mohair—a different way to explore local crafts than at the Musée des métiers du bois. It’s best to arrange your visit with the farm in advance.

Discover more destinations: Wegscheid, Sondernach, Orbey, Fessenheim, Ranspach, Balschwiller, Rouffach, Lutter

For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.