Home " Club des Cent Cols holidays " Country " France " International stay in Bitche (57) from 14 to 18 August 2010

International stay in Bitche (57) from 14 to 18 August 2010

Presentation

On the edge of eastern Lorraine, the Pays de Bitche stretches out towards Alsace, from the vast horizons of the Lorraine plateau to the forests of the northern Vosges. An essentially forested region, the Bitscherland seems somewhat lost in the Lorraine landscape. It is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
The main tree species found here are beech (Buche), oak (Eich) and spruce (Rottanne), including the Hanau pine appreciated for its long, straight bole. Chestnut trees can also be found in places. If you're lucky, you may even catch sight of deer, roe deer or wild boar, all of which abound here.
The bedrock is made up of sandstone (Sandstein). There are a number of imposing rocks (Felsen), and naturally these high perched spurs were home to a number of castles in the Middle Ages, the ruins of which we will discover.

In short, the Pays de Bitche will win you over with its rich wooded landscapes, its ponds, its historic sites and its craftsmanship (crystal art).
The town of Bitche is situated on the Horn, in a picturesque depression bordered by wooded hills. Overlooking the town, the imposing citadel, fortified by Vauban and then Cormontaigne, has survived the wars. It is the first thing you see as you approach Bitche. It stands proudly on its pink sandstone rock, and the town has literally grown up around it. From this rocky promontory, you have an uninterrupted view of the whole region.
The VVF that welcomes us is located on the banks of the Hasselfurth lake, which forms the forested part of the town. If you're camping, we recommend the Haspelschiedt municipal campsite.
Along the way, you'll pass by the GMPs of Mont Sainte Odile, Obersteinbach, Philippsbourg, Saverne, Dabo and Lutzelbourg, as well as a number of historic sites and a curiosity on the Saverne circuit: a barge lift. Don't hesitate to stop and visit.
As far as mountain biking is concerned, most of the routes will be on R1 trails. This forest is exploited, which explains the profusion of tracks. Erosion has left a lot of sand on the tracks, and if the front wheel sands up, especially on a fast descent, you could lose control and fall, so be careful! We'll also be able to see a number of Maginot Line structures and, in particular, we'll cross the anti-tank ditch, which will require us to carry the only load of the trip.
Non-cyclists are not forgotten: a list of must-see visits and activities will be posted at the VVF. There will also be a 5km walk in the morning and a 5km walk in the afternoon to the international meeting point at the Col du Pottaschkopf.
Enjoy your stay.
The Holidays Committee of the Club des Cent Cols

Tours

Every day from Sunday 15 August to Wednesday 18 August circuits road and MOUNTAIN BIKE are on offer. There are 6 road circuits, numbered R1, R2, R2a, R3, R4 and R5, and 6 mountain bike circuits, numbered V1, V2, V3, V3a, V4 and V5.

These routes were designed and mapped out mainly by Alain BRAULT, with the participation of Ludger VORBERG and Didier RÉMOND. The route maps were written by Alain BRAULT and Régis PARAZ. The "Bitche" section of the website and the geolocation tools were developed by Mario LABELLE.

Gathering at the Col du Pottaschkopf (FR-67-0482): Sunday 15 August

Our annual meeting will take place this year at the summit of the Col du Pottaschkopf (FR-67-0482) on Sunday, 15 August 2010 from 10.00 am.
As well as those taking part in the Bitche trip, members from neighbouring regions (Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Hessen und Baden-Württemberg in Deutschland) are warmly invited to join us for this convivial occasion.
For those of you who will only be coming to the Col du Pottaschkopf rally and want to do the road or mountain bike route on Sunday, these are the R2 or R2a routes for road riders, and the V1 routes for mountain bikers in the "Routes" section below. You can also order a picnic basket for the day of the rally by filling in the registration form (line Lunch basket only for people not taking the €10 stay package). Be sure to specify the date of Sunday 15 August. Details of how to collect these baskets will be given later on this page.

Photo albums