🪂 Sports & thrills
Adventure sports and thrills in the Grand Est
The Grand Est has no shortage of playgrounds for adrenaline seekers. On the Vosges ridges, the Treh take-off site at Le Markstein allows paragliding in every wind direction. In the forests of Champ du Feu, Parc Alsace Aventure has ten treetop courses and a 900 m zip line advertised at 90 km/h. Further west, Lac de Pierre-Percée, in Meurthe-et-Moselle, combines an adventure park, a zip line over the water and bungee jumping, in a forest setting that has earned it the nickname “Canada lorrain” (Lorraine's Canada).
Most of these outdoor activities are seasonal: adventure parks generally open from Easter to All Saints' Day (1 November), and free flight depends entirely on the weather. For cold or rainy months, opt for an indoor complex such as Wakalase in Cernay, with its two-level electric karting track and artificial surf wave. In every case, book ahead and check opening times and access conditions on the official websites.
What to do this month?
Pick a month: our seasonal ideas and a tip to make the most of it.
January: Off-season for outdoor activities: the adventure parks are closed. Fall back on the indoor activities at Wakalase in Cernay: electric karting, laser tag and the surf wave.
February: Still winter: indoor activities remain the safe bet during the February holidays, such as the electric karting and surf wave in Cernay.
March: The end of winter: most adventure parks have not yet reopened. The indoor activities in Cernay remain the safe bet; keep an eye on the parks' reopening dates on their official websites.
April: Outdoor activities resume: Parc Alsace Aventure opens from Easter (check dates on its website).
May: The days are getting longer: a good month for a first tandem paragliding flight at Le Markstein, keeping your date flexible depending on the weather.
June: An ideal time before the summer crowds: treetop courses at Champ du Feu, paragliding on the ridges and the first canoe outings on Lac de Pierre-Percée.
Also in season: Downhill Mountain Biking at Lac Blanc Bike Park
July: Peak season: book adventure parks and flights in advance. At Lac de Pierre-Percée, the zip line and bungee jumping complement swimming and canoeing; set off early to avoid the heat.
August: Holidays and crowds: favour weekday mornings. Downhill mountain biking at Le Lac Blanc is scheduled to resume in 2027: check the new operator's calendar before heading up.
Also in season: Paragliding at Le Markstein
September: After the return to school, parks often open only on Wednesdays and at weekends: check their calendars before you go.
October: The last weeks of the outdoor season: Parc Alsace Aventure closes at All Saints' Day and sometimes holds Halloween events. Closures due to wind or rain become more frequent.
November: Forest adventure parks are closed until spring. Time for indoor activities: two-level electric karting, laser tag and artificial surfing in Cernay.
December: Off-season for outdoor sports. For an outing with friends, the indoor activities at Wakalase in Cernay remain open (check opening times and gift vouchers on its website).
Map: Sports & thrills in the Grand Est
Our tips
- Book ahead, especially at weekends and during school holidays: adventure parks and tandem paragliding flights have limited capacity and may close or cancel in bad weather or strong winds.
- Check the access conditions before you go: minimum age, minimum and maximum weight (the Verti'Câble zip line at Parc Alsace Aventure is open from age 7, for 25 to 110 kg) and children's height.
- For paragliding, go through a school or a qualified instructor: the Le Markstein website lists operators based in Oderen. Flights depend on the wind and may be postponed on the day.
- At the bike park, a full-face helmet is compulsory at Le Lac Blanc; a back protector, knee pads and wrist guards are strongly recommended. Equipment can be hired on site.
- Keep an indoor plan B for rainy days: electric karting, laser tag and an artificial surf wave at Wakalase in Cernay.
- Do not rely on outdated information about Le Lac Blanc: the site's management changes in autumn 2026 and the Bike Park is due to reopen in 2027 under new public management. Check the official calendar before heading up.
All places and activities: Sports & thrills (5)
Frequently asked questions
Where can I go paragliding in the Vosges?
Le Markstein, on the Route des Crêtes, is a renowned free-flight site: its Treh take-off, at 1,206 m, allows flights in every wind direction, according to the resort's official website. Schools based in Oderen offer tandem flights and courses. Flights depend on the wind and weather, so keep your plans flexible.
Which treetop adventure park is best near Strasbourg?
Parc Alsace Aventure, at the Col du Kreuzweg in Breitenbach, around 45 minutes from Strasbourg and Colmar, offers 10 courses from age 3, giant zip lines and a free-fall jump tower. It opens from Easter to All Saints' Day.
Is the Lac Blanc Bike Park open?
The 2026 season ends in late October. In September 2026, the Lac Blanc joint authority (syndicat mixte) decided to take the mountain-biking activity back under direct public management, and the Bike Park is due to reopen in 2027 with the chairlift. The 2027 calendar and prices had not yet been published at the end of October 2026.
What active things can you do in Alsace when it rains?
Indoor complexes are the simplest option. In Cernay, near Mulhouse, Wakalase offers a 450 m two-level electric karting track, laser tag and an artificial surf wave.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official websites before you travel.
Sources consulted (10)
- lemarkstein.net/fr/bouger-lete/vol-libre
- parc-alsace-aventure.com
- parc-alsace-aventure.com/horaires
- lac-blanc.com/en/summer/cycling-mountain-bike-mtb-vosges/bike-park-dh
- lac-blanc.com/en/summer/outdoor-activities-nature-vosges/adventures-thrills
- vojomag.com/news/le-bike-park-du-lac-blanc-est-sauve
- rue89strasbourg.com/station-lac-blanc-fin-du-ski-alpin-392518
- wakalase.com/en
- fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lac_de_Pierre-Perc%C3%A9e
- lechampdufeu.com