Discover Lutter: Nature, Trails and History

Lutter in the Alsatian Jura offers a variety of highlights: its communal forest and orchards shape the landscape, trail descriptions along the Lutterbach cover both directions of the stream, and historic houses and monuments are among the village’s main attractions. This lets you explore nature, specific trail options and architectural history as distinct themes for your trip.

Nature and Landscape in Lutter

The communal forest covers 300 hectares and lies on the right bank of the Ill. Its elevation ranges from 430 to 670 metres, with an average of 560 metres. Most of the massif lies on the Glaserberg anticline, which opens towards the Wolschwiller depression. Numerous valleys run through the forest. Orchards are also part of the landscape: more than 1,000 fruit trees surround Lutter.

More than 80 bird species nest in Lutter’s houses, gardens, orchards and Krautländer. The nesting sites mentioned therefore include both built-up and vegetated areas. Lutter is also one of the municipalities within the 9,315.74-hectare Jura Alsacien Natura site. The site is a continental ZNIEFF type 2 and is designated under the Habitats Directive.

Trails along the Lutterbach and Longer Stages

From Saint-Joseph, you can follow the Lutterbach upstream to a series of small waterfalls. This section is not marked. Downstream from Saint-Joseph, a small riverside path follows the left bank of the Lutterbach. The route descriptions therefore differ both in direction and in their stated destination; take particular note that the route to the waterfalls is unmarked.

A longer option is the signposted Circuit des Trois Châteaux du Jura Alsacien. The circular route is 80 kilometres long in total. Two of its stages include Lutter: Petit Kohlberg–Lutter is 13.5 kilometres, and Lutter–Leymen is 20 kilometres. The stage from Lutter to Leymen is therefore 6.5 kilometres longer than the one from Petit Kohlberg to Lutter. These distances provide a specific comparison of the two stage lengths, while the short path along the Lutterbach describes a different type of trail option.

Historic Houses and Monuments

Lutter has a remarkable collection of houses dating from the 16th and early 17th centuries. They are relatively well preserved compared with their original condition. One specifically identified historic house is the Tribunal at 62–63 Rue de Kiffis. It dates from the 16th century; surviving structural elements are dated to 1542. The building is partially listed as a historic monument.

The restoration history of the Tribunal concerns its front section: the Maisons paysannes d’Alsace association restored it in 1973 and 1974. The Callinet organ in Lutter also has monument status. It was classified as a historic monument by decree dated 30 November 2004.

Fountains and the Pressoir de FRED

The village has five continuously flowing fountains, fed by a spring in the Krautländer locality. The artisanal Pressoir de FRED is open to visitors. Small quantities of various fruits can also be processed there into fresh or pasteurised juice. Check the opening arrangements before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Logelheim, Ungersheim, Wildenstein, Eglingen, Staffelfelden, Orbey, Wittelsheim, Dietwiller

For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.