Waldstein Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Fischerbach, Germany

Waldstein Castle is a ruined hill castle on a rock plateau of 40 by 10 metres at 510 metres above sea level near the Franzosenhof in the Waldstein valley by Fischerbach. Only a few sections of the ruined walls remain. The site was protected on the west by a double moat with rampart and on the south by a neck ditch and a shield-wall-like rock tooth.

Waldstein Castle was built by the lords of Waldstein and is first recorded in 1353. It was already in ruins after 1500, when the site was abandoned. The rock plateau on which it stood measures 40 by 10 metres.

The castle takes its name from the lords of Waldstein, who built it and were first recorded here in 1353. Visitors can still trace the western double ditch with its rampart and the southern neck ditch, which protected a rock spur resembling a shield wall. The site lies at 510 metres above sea level above the Franzosenhof in the Waldstein valley.

You can reach the ruins by heading to Fischerbach village in Ortenaukreis and hiking up to the elevated site. The walk to the ruins is straightforward, but wear sturdy shoes because the terrain is uneven and rocky.

The 40 by 10 metre rock plateau was defended on the west by a double ditch with rampart and on the south by a neck ditch and a shield-wall-like rock tooth, traces of which can still be made out in the terrain.