Château du Nideck

Château du Nideck consists of ruins from two separate castles built in different eras within the Vosges forest. The upper fortress displays defensive walls, while the lower structure retains a square keep.

The first castle dates to the 13th century and received its first written mention in 1264. It later fell under the control of the bishops of Strasbourg and served as a significant stronghold in the region.

The castle inspired a tale about giants collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1816, where a giant's daughter discovers farmers in the Alsace plains.

Visitors park at the Nideck Forest House and follow a clearly marked trail upward through the woods. The walk takes roughly 30 minutes with some steep sections, so wear appropriate footwear.

The ruins stand above the Nideck waterfall, where water cascades down multiple levels through the rocky landscape. A folklore tale about giants collected by the Brothers Grimm draws inspiration from this dramatic waterfall setting.

Location: Oberhaslach

Inception: 1250

GPS coordinates: 48.57992,7.28276

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:02