Surroundings
The Mount Sainte-Odile is without doubt one of the most visited places in Alsace ; its site, its panorama, its sanctuaries, everything concurs to attracts the tourists and pilgrims.
Rich with a glorious past, which has left numerous relics, the mount has seen along the centuries famous visitors, princes and prelates, scientits and poets, from which several dedicated beautiful pages to sing its treasures and its charms.
LEASURES
Walking in the forest, about 110 km of paths perfectly beaconed, private sportcourse " vita Vittel " - skiresort from the " Champ du feu " at 16 km. Long distance and alpine ski.
TOURISM
Visit the 10 castles within a radius of 5 kms. The fence from the pagan wall, unique in Europe belongs to the domain.
WALKINGS
Advised to the pilgrims or tourists who have a little time at their disposal.
l / Grotto of Lourdes. (5 min.) Outside the monastery go down the stairs on the left, then turn on the left and go on. On the right, you can see the cemetery of the convent. Then on the left, above a florished garden, the grotto with the virgo of Lourdes (statue in ceramic).
2 / Walk round the rock on wich the monastery is built ( 10 minutes). The same way as to the grotto. Go on and follow the way which winds around the enormous rock which carries the monastery.
3 / The way of the cross and rock of rest o Ste Odile (10 minutes). Outside the monastery straight to the road or the walkingpath on your left, down to the " Roman door " and after 20 meters on the left, on the rock, the first scene of the way of the cross made by L. Elchinger. The way goes to the Grotto of Lourdes. At the end of the path, a rock with seats. According to the legend, Ste Odile often rested there, particularly when she visited the sick of Niedermunster ; there she had founded another convent with a hospice for sick people.
4 / Ste Odile’s source (20 minutes). Outside the monastery, down the stairs on your left, and the first path on your right above the cemetery, which goes directly to the source. According to the tradition, Ste Odile who came back from her visit to the sick, encountered a blind man ; as she struck the rock a source gushed out and its miraculous water healed the blind man. The pilgrims going by, wash their eyes there. You can go back by the same way or taking the road more comfortable (5 minutes more).
5 / Beckenfels and pagan wall (20 minutes). From the monastery, take the way of the cross or the path between the garden and the rock of rest. Following the road, you can find a path going up on the left until a big rock called Beckenfels. Its form is like a bowl (Becken=bowl), that’s why it has this name. About 50 meters far , remnants of the famous pagan wall. This wall, one of the most considerable prehistoric works in Europe is about 6 miles long.