Le Tour du Rauenthal

The hike

This day-long hike will take you around the emblematic Rauenthal valley, cradle of the mining activity that has made Ste Marie aux Mines famous since the 16th century.

From 1549 onwards, the Rauenthal valley became the scene of intense mining activity, mainly silver ore mining.

As you set off, you'll pass the Tour des Mineurs (miners' tower), the headquarters of their brotherhood, which also served as a prison. A little further on, in St Pierre sur l'Hâte, you'll pass the Miners' Church. This is a simultaneum, so it can be used for both Protestant and Catholic services.

The hike will also give you a good idea of the extent of the Ste Marie aux Mines forest estate, the largest communal forest in Alsace. The outing is enhanced by numerous viewpoints, notably from the Haycot thatch at 1100 m altitude or from the Rain de l'Horloge.