La Croix de Fer
The place
Site and shelter-halt set at 680 m on the slopes of Mont Sainte-Odile (763 m, Bas-Rhin), an emblematic Alsatian sanctuary in the commune of Ottrott. Notable position on the trails leading to the monastery and to the Mur Païen (a pre-Roman Celtic-era wall encircling the summit over 10 km). The place name "Croix de Fer" (Iron Cross) refers to the iron crosses set along the pilgrimage paths leading to the sanctuary — the Chapelle de la Croix is the oldest part of the Sainte-Odile convent, dating from the 12th century. The Way of the Cross created by ceramicist Léon Elchinger between 1933 and 1935 adorns the rock faces of the convent's plateau. Basic, freely accessible shelter building. Typical Vosges forest setting: beech-oak woods, dry meadows, Club Vosgien trails. Located on the fringe of the Sainte-Odile sanctuary, a major Alsatian pilgrimage site (patron saint of Alsace since 1741), and a waypoint on themed loops around Ottrott and Barr.
Getting there
Slopes of Mont Sainte-Odile (Ottrott, Bas-Rhin), Club Vosgien trails toward the monastery and the Mur Païen.
The setting
Mont Sainte-Odile (763 m), Celtic Mur Païen, Alsatian pilgrimage heritage.