Emperor's Steps – Donon Temple loop from Grandfontaine

Hiking trails & Routes

Emperor's Steps – Donon Temple loop from Grandfontaine

Easy

4.8

(139)

1,527

hikers

Emperor's Steps – Donon Temple loop from Grandfontaine

01:26

4.27km

230m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: September 10, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

542 m

Forest Picnic Area

Highlight • Rest Area

Table with benches

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Tip by

1.06 km

Rock with Basins and Grooves

Highlight • Natural Monument

The rock is located directly on the ascent from the Col du Donon to the Donon.

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Tip by

1.13 km

Petit Menhir

Highlight • Monument

Maybe it's just a coincidence that the flat stone is standing so crooked here 😇

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Tip by

1.60 km

Emperor's Steps

Highlight • Other

Staircase built by German soldiers for Kaiser Wilhelm II in World War I.

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Tip by

1.91 km

Rainwater cistern

Highlight • Other

Cistern for collecting rainwater.

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Tip by

2.13 km

Donon Temple

Highlight • Monument

A beautiful temple with a rich history. Once home to archaeological finds made on the site, it is now a cult site in the Bruche Valley. The name "Donon" actually …

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Tip by

2.41 km

Lounge Chairs With a View of the Vosges Forest

Highlight • Viewpoint

Nice place for a break.

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2.46 km

Reproductions of eight votive steles

Highlight • Historical Site

Copies of 8 votive steles, mainly depicting gods. (Mercury, Vosegus, Hercules, Jupiter)
The originals can be found in the Musée d'Epinal.

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Tip by

4.27 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.94 km

230 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.64 km

527 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 9 October

13°C

7°C

13 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

March 3, 2023,🇫🇷 Col de Donon

The highlight of our short vacation in Alsace was the "climb" of the Donon. 250 vertical meters in a row at 1009 meters high above and between many stones and rocks was not exactly easy to walk 😆, but the summit was tempting and the weather was great 🤩: sun 6°, absolutely no wind and the clouds cleared.
Likewise the …

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April 21, 2022,Vogesen: Wanderung auf den Tempelberg Donon

During the Easter holidays we stayed 3 nights in the wonderful Nutchel Cabins in the French Vosges. The concept is based on Slow & Sustainable Travel, but if you want to be a little more active, a hike up the Donon Temple Mount is worthwhile.

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July 13, 2024,Le Donon

Actually, you can do a circular tour, but since I had a 14-year-old dog with me, we took the easier route back.

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October 22, 2024,Col du Donon🍂🌫🍂

Short trip to Alsace on the Donon. Despite the fog there was a lot to see.

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June 5, 2025,Zum Tempel auf dem Donon

We climb the 1009m high Mount Donon along picturesque, rocky forest paths, some of which feature old stairs and steps. Once at the top, there's an archaeological trail; Roman and Celtic finds testify to ancient settlement. The temple is a reconstruction by Napoleon III. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views in all directions, stretching far beyond the Vosges Mountains …

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