Sondernach: Churches, Schnepfenried and Munster Cheese

Sondernach offers several distinct themes for a stay: long-distance hiking routes on the Massif du Petit Ballon, outdoor activities, church history and an agricultural cheese-making tradition. The highlights range from longer hiking routes to specific leisure activities in Sondernach. The history of the churches also tells of different periods and events.

Long-Distance Hiking and Outdoor Activities

The Massif du Petit Ballon lies east of Sondernach and is known for its long-distance hiking routes. Those who want to make hiking the focus of their trip will find a clear landmark in the landscape here. The hiking trails offer a different focus from the individual leisure activities in Sondernach.

Form'Aventures, an adventure park with nine adventure courses, is located at Le Schnepfenried in Sondernach. If you plan to visit the park, check the latest operating details beforehand, as they may change. The number of courses gives this attraction its own character among the outdoor activities.

The Schnepfenried ski resort is also located in Sondernach. There is also a freely accessible climbing area. Rêves de Nord offers dog sled rides in Sondernach as an outdoor activity. This makes it possible to distinguish between different types of activities: courses, a ski resort, climbing and dog sled rides, alongside hiking on the Massif du Petit Ballon to the east.

Churches and Historical Remembrance

The Protestant church in Sondernach was built in 1899–1900. Following the bombardments of 1915, it was rebuilt and reopened for worship in 1924. This sequence connects the church’s construction history with the effects of the First World War and shows several defining stages within a comparatively short period.

The Église Saint-Blaise was built between 1928 and 1931. It is dedicated to the memory of French soldiers who lost their lives in the valley during the First World War. Its history at this site goes back further: the church stands on the site of the former Église de l’Emm, whose origins date to a foundation in 1450 associated with the presence of a hermit.

To understand the chronology, it is helpful to distinguish the 1450 foundation from the later construction of the Église Saint-Blaise. At the same time, the church’s dedication connects this older site with the memory of the soldiers who fell in the valley. Together with the construction and rebuilding history of the Protestant church, these provide two different perspectives on Sondernach’s history.

Livestock Farming and Munster Cheese

Munster cheese is made as part of livestock farming in Sondernach. Cheese production is therefore part of the local agricultural tradition. This aspect complements hiking, leisure activities and churches with a different perspective on the town: it focuses on livestock farming and production rather than trails or architectural history.

Choose the Focus of Your Stay

When looking for a hotel in Sondernach, you can start by considering the main purpose of your trip. If you are looking for an active stay, the long-distance hiking routes on Petit Ballon offer a different option from activities such as adventure courses, climbing or dog sled rides. If you are interested in cultural history, the two churches differ in their construction histories and in the commemorative dedication of the Église Saint-Blaise. Munster cheese production adds the town’s agricultural tradition to these options.

Discover more destinations: Wittelsheim, Rixheim, Thann, Wahlbach, Herrlisheim-près-Colmar, Kruth, Stosswihr, Leymen.

For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.