Stosswihr: Hiking, Reindeer Farm and History

Stosswihr combines hiking trails in the Frankenthal-Missheimle Nature Reserve with the Schantzwasen Reindeer Farm, architecture and historical themes. If you are looking for a hotel in Stosswihr, you can plan your stay around these interests: hiking, learning about reindeer husbandry or cultural history. When choosing a hotel, it helps to consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay.

Hiking in the Nature Reserve

Almost 50 kilometres of hiking trails make it possible to explore the Frankenthal-Missheimle Nature Reserve. The total length refers to all the trails in the area, not to a single hike. This makes hiking a distinct focus alongside visits to the reindeer farm and the area’s architectural and historical attractions.

Reindeer Farm and Culture

At the Schantzwasen Reindeer Farm, an 800-metre educational trail winds through the forest, where 30 to 40 reindeer roam freely. The visit begins with a video about the herd and the farm’s history. The farm also has a museum hut dedicated to the culture of the Sámi reindeer herders of Lapland. It displays everyday objects, traditional clothing and handicrafts. Each part offers a different focus: the film provides information about the herd and the farm’s history, while the museum hut focuses on the culture of the Sámi reindeer herders.

A guided tour with commentary at the Fromagerie Ferme des Trois Fours is available on request. If you would like to include this tour in your plans, check with the Fromagerie in advance; availability may change.

Church, Remembrance and History

Stosswihr’s Protestant church was rebuilt from 1924 onwards, based on plans by Strasbourg architects Robert Voelckel and Charles Wolff; it was consecrated on 8 August 1926. Its foundations are made of pink sandstone. It stands on a terrace reached by straight stairways. The architects, consecration date and building material place the church in Stosswihr’s history both in time and in terms of its architecture.

The Germania French military cemetery in Stosswihr is one of ten Alsatian First World War memorial sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The Ambulance alpine 2/75, also known as Ambulance alpine 306, is a rare testament to medical care in the mountains during the First World War. The two sites offer different perspectives: the cemetery is a place of remembrance, while the ambulance bears witness to medical care.

The Silberwald Christmas Trail

A 2021 description presents the Silberwald Christmas Trail as a tradition of illumination by local residents dating back to 2010. The trail formed a two-kilometre loop starting at the Stosswihr community hall. During the illuminated walk, it shared local history through features such as livestock watering troughs, agriculture, forestry, a former tramway and the monks who once founded the Munster Valley. If you would like to include the illuminated walk in an upcoming trip, check in advance whether it is taking place.

Discover more destinations: Hohrod, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Rouffach, Kiffis, Wahlbach, Zimmersheim, Holtzwihr, Lucelle

For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.