Bourbach-Le-Bas: Hiking, Nature and Mining History

Bourbach-Le-Bas lies in the Bourbach Valley, within the geographical Doller Valley. There are several ways to plan a stay: a hike through vineyards and orchards, the Silbachwaeldle nature recreation area with its fitness trail, and places associated with mining and wartime history. This lets you plan your time around the landscape, outdoor activities or historical themes. If you are looking for a hotel, consider which of these interests matters most for your trip.

Landscape, Views and Trails

Rocher des Poilus offers a viewpoint over the landscape. At the same time, it served as an observation post during the First World War. Its role as a viewpoint and its former use offer two different perspectives: it is both a scenic overlook and a historic site.

Silbachwaeldle is a nature recreation area with a fitness trail. If you are comparing outdoor activities, this offers a different focus from the hike: here, a fitness trail is part of the recreation area, while the route passes through vineyards and orchards. This can help you weigh up which type of activity best suits your stay.

The “Balade: le village de Bourbach-le-Bas” hike passes through vineyards and orchards; one variant goes via the Chapelle des Mineurs. If you prefer this route, choose the variant described. Check trail conditions in advance, as they may change.

Mining and Local History

Guided tours of the Bourbach-Le-Bas iron mines include visits to two galleries that are still intact, each 400 metres long. The stated length applies to each gallery. Tours are seasonal. Check the dates before your trip if you are planning a tour.

The iron mines are associated with the 18th and 19th centuries. Rocher des Poilus, by contrast, served as an observation post during the First World War. The two sites thus relate to different historical periods and offer different points of connection to the history of Bourbach-Le-Bas.

Herrahof is also a distinct local point of historical interest: it is a manor farm, not the former farm of a castle. The village chapel of Bourbach-Le-Bas was demolished on 13 June 1768. Herrahof is notable for the type of farm it was, while the chapel is associated with a precisely dated event. The demolition date, 1768, falls in the 18th century; the iron mines are also associated with this period.

Summer Activity on the River

The associations’ annual summer programme includes a river discovery tour with observation of aquatic wildlife, followed by a fishing session. The activity thus combines nature observation and fishing. If you want to plan for it, check the local schedule for the relevant year.

Discover more destinations: Houssen, Urbès, Ingersheim, Lutter, Oberhergheim, Jungholtz, Soppe-le-Bas, Biesheim

Go to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.