Rimbachzell: Hiking and History

When planning a trip to Rimbachzell, you can choose between hiking and historical attractions. The routes vary considerably in length: the family hike around Rimbach-Zell and Sainte Anne is 5 km long, while the Sentier des châteaux forts n°5 is 16 km and is rated moderate. There is also the Église Saint-Pierre-et-Paul, remains of fortifications at Schlossbuckel, and typical valley houses. You can therefore plan your stay around your preferred route length or your interest in churches, fortifications, and traditional architecture.

Hikes of varying lengths

The family hike around Rimbach-Zell and Sainte Anne starts at Place de l'église in Rimbach-Zell. It is 5 km long and passes through forest, meadows, and the village. This makes it the shorter of the two hikes. Before setting off, it is a good idea to check local trail conditions, as they can change.

The Sentier des châteaux forts n°5 starts at the parking lot near Rimbach-Zell town hall. The route is 16 km long, is of moderate difficulty, and has 480 m of positive elevation gain. At 927 m, it reaches the ruins of Château de Freundstein; it also passes traces of Château de Schlossbuckel and the Croix Zimmermann. The two elevation figures describe different measurements: 480 m refers to the route's positive elevation gain, while 927 m is the altitude at which it reaches the ruins. The two hikes therefore offer contrasting profiles: forest, meadows, and village on the 5 km hike; moderate difficulty, elevation gain, and named historic sites on the 16 km route.

Architectural history and the character of the village

Remains of a fortification and a keep dating from the 10th century survive at Schlossbuckel. The term “keep” refers to a fortified main tower, identifying a specific part of the structure as well as the fortification itself. In the history of the village, this fortified structure complements the churches and traditional houses with a distinct subject of its own.

Around 752, a church dedicated to Saint Peter was built in Rimbach-Zell. The Église Saint-Pierre-et-Paul stands on the site of an earlier church dating from the 15th century. The church houses remarkable organs built by Joseph Callinet in 1852. The three dates mark different aspects: the construction of a church, the earlier building on the church site, and the year the organs were built.

The old houses of Rimbach-Zell are typical valley houses. They stand on steep slopes, have two ground-level floors, and combine living spaces with areas for farming and livestock under one roof. To understand their design, it is therefore important to consider not only their location on the slope but also the combination of living and working areas under one roof.

Glassmaking is another historical subject: in the 17th century, a hamlet of glassmakers arose on the slopes of the Grand Ballon. This adds a settlement history shaped by craftsmanship to the stories of church and fortress construction.

Discover more destinations: Illfurth, Merxheim, Sainte-Croix-En-Plaine, Uffholtz, Wuenheim, Ostheim, Zimmersheim, Ingersheim

For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.