Sand: Hiking, Chapels and the Source Saint-Materne

Sand is a destination for visitors who want to include hiking, chapels and a spring in their choice of location. If you are looking for a hotel in Sand, you can use these themes to guide your choice of destination: the Circuit de l'Ill passes through Sand, while the Chapelle Saint-Materne, Source Saint-Materne and Chapelle Saints-Pierre-et-Paul offer distinct visiting or historical themes. The differences between the walking trail, the spring and the two chapels can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Hiking the Circuit de l'Ill

The Circuit de l'Ill is an easy 9.7-kilometre hiking trail that passes through Sand. Its easy rating and length describe two different aspects of the hike: difficulty and distance. This can help you factor the route into your travel plans according to your interest in hiking. There is a chapel and washhouses along the route. The Circuit thus combines the hike with specific points of interest along the way.

Chapels with different histories

The Chapelle Saint-Materne was built in 1883 and is set in natural, picturesque surroundings. It can be visited independently. The Chapelle Saints-Pierre-et-Paul has a different historical connection: it was built on the ossuary of the former cemetery. An ossuary was used to store human bones; the term helps explain the connection with the former cemetery. At Saint-Materne, the year it was built and the option of an independent visit are the main points, while at Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, the focus is its connection with the former cemetery. The latter is occasionally open to the public during concerts or on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 25. Before your trip, check whether a public visit is possible on your preferred date.

Source Saint-Materne and picnic area

The Source Saint-Materne adds a visit to a spring to the heritage sites. Its flow rate remains nearly constant throughout the year, in summer and winter alike; the temperature is about 11°C. The spring is freely accessible and can be visited independently. Guided group visits are available by appointment. If you are travelling with a group, arranging an appointment in advance is the key planning consideration.

There is a shaded picnic area by the Chapelle Saint-Materne. Located beside a chapel and an artesian spring, it offers another reason to plan some time outdoors. To reach the area, take the Route de Muttersholtz (D 124) towards Obenheim/Wittisheim. At the edge of the forest, turn right after the small bridge. The Circuit de l'Ill is the hiking trail; the shaded area at the Chapelle Saint-Materne is a separate place to take a break outdoors.

A named natural area

Sand is one of the municipalities in the Type 1 ZNIEFF natural area “Ried de la Zembs de Herbsheim à Erstein”. This designation adds a clearly named natural area to the local hiking and heritage sites.

Discover more destinations: Colroy-La-Roche, Morsbronn-Les-Bains, Breuschwickersheim, Hoenheim, Stundwiller, Wolfisheim, Niederschaeffolsheim, Eckwersheim.

Return to the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.