Get to know Vilsberg through two different hiking routes: the Circuit de l'Eselbahn is a clearly measured circular hike, while the historic trail takes in individual landmarks around the village. If you would like to combine exercise and culture, you can choose between these different focuses. The Église Saint-Charles and a protected plant habitat extending across Vilsberg and Phalsbourg add to the attractions.
Hiking along the former donkey railway route
The Circuit de l'Eselbahn is a moderately difficult 11.7-kilometre hike. The circular route starts in Vilsberg; its starting point is in the village centre, at the car park opposite the church. The hike is listed as taking three hours and 45 minutes. This stated duration gives you a specific point of reference when planning your day and deciding how much time to allow for the hike.
Part of the route follows the trackbed of a former metre-gauge railway. It connected Lutzelbourg with Drulingen and transported dressed sandstone blocks from the quarries of Vilsberg and Hangviller to the Marne-Rhine Canal in Lutzelbourg. The hike therefore also delves into the history of a transport link between quarries, railway and canal. The route is defined not only by its length and circular shape, but also by this historical trace.
The historic trail and its stops
A PDF of the historic trail in Vilsberg is available to download. The route description dated July 2026 lists explanatory panels in three languages along the historic trail in Vilsberg. It leads the first loop to the Église Saint-Charles and the remains of the former railway station. The woodland loop takes you to a shooting range that is more than 150 years old. The historic trail thus has a different focus from the Circuit de l'Eselbahn: here, named places and stops take centre stage, while the latter follows the former railway line and its transport history.
Church, fountain and local history
The Église Saint-Charles was built in 1827. Its interior features Rococo decorations and Rococo-style furnishings. The year it was built places the church in its historical context, while the interior adds a specific art-historical dimension. There is also a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus near the Long Fountain. Together with the church and the stops on the historic trail, it offers another named point of reference for local history.
Protected plants around Vilsberg
The local flora is another documented aspect of the area. A habitat zone protected by prefectural decree covers a total of 3.8957 hectares across Vilsberg and Phalsbourg. Of this, 1.5435 hectares are in Vilsberg and 2.3522 hectares in Phalsbourg. The protected species there are the burnt orchid and the field scabious. The precise area breakdown and the two named species give the natural environment a clearly defined focus, distinct from the historic trails and buildings.
Plan your stay to suit you
When searching for a holiday apartment, the different route focuses can be a useful starting point: the Circuit de l'Eselbahn has a stated duration, while the historic trail takes you to several named stops. Consider which topic you would like to spend more time exploring during your stay, then compare specific accommodation options and their availability for your travel dates. This way, you can choose accommodation to suit your own travel plans without combining the different trails into a single itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Rahling, Schwerdorff, Creutzwald, Bouzonville, Roussy-Le-Village, Le Ban-Saint-Martin, Frauenberg, Hambach
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