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Attractive medieval walled villages steeped in history await you as you walk through the rolling hills and vineyards of Alsace on The Wine Route. Their ornate houses are coloured by flower filled wooden balconies and surrounded by old fortifications, charming landscapes and many other sites of historic interest. This route is unquestionably the finest available on the flanks of the Vosges Massif; a green and mountainous corridor wedged between Lorraine in the west, Germany to the north and east and Switzerland to the south. Between the medieval village of Turckheim and Obernai there is plenty to see, such as the fortified village of Dambach that still retains its medieval centre. The walking occurs at altitudes of between 400m and 760m with plenty of sweeping views along the way. The Alsace is a popular area for lovers of good food and fine wine.
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10kg of CO2-e PP per day
(58kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Turckheim
Arrive in Turckheim, a mountain village set above the vineyards mostly known for its surrounding medieval wall. Accommodation: A typical Alsatian style hotel. The rooms are very comfortable and the atmosphere is friendly. The hotel offers delicious traditional cooking. There is a small outdoor swimming pool and a sauna.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Walk to Riquewihr via Ammerschwihr, and Kaysersberg 16.2km (4-5hrs)
Undulate through the vineyards to the pretty town of Kayserberg, then a steep climb past the castle ruins into mixed forest and descent at the end of the day through vineyards to Riquewihr, a medieval museum of a town with fortifications dating back to the 13th century. Many of the old buildings have dovecots and are built round central courtyards. It is one of the 'Plus Belle ' villages of France. You should have time for some wine tasting in the village. Ascent: +668m / Descent: -635m Accommodation: Extremely comfortable, modern hotel with an indoor swimming pool, a sauna and terrace. It is situated close to the gates of the village and has been chosen for its quietness and cleanliness.
Meals: B
Day 3
Walk to Thannenkirch via the 3 chateaux of Ribeaupierre 13.3 km (4-5hrs)
We enjoy wide views today over the plains of Alsace, passing through Hunawihr, with its fortified church, then it is on to Ribeauville, one of the oldest villages in Alsace before a steep climb to 645m past the ruined chateaux of St. Ulrich, Giersberg and Du Haut-Ribeaupierre, to the small mountain village of Thannenkirch. Ascent: +698m / Descent: -477m. Accommodation: A lovely flower bedecked modern building in a mountain village, built in the traditional style. This hotel has a good restaurant and boasts a cellar bar where you can sample excellent Alsatian wines.
Day 4
Continue to Chatenois 13.7km (4-5hrs)
The easiest day, but there are a couple of attractions that will take a bit of time if you visit them. Popping out of the forest you arrive at the a wonderful chateau at Haut Koenigsbourg with panoramic views of the valleys below. later on in the day There is also the chance to visit the Eagle Centre at Chateau Kintzheim before descending through the vineyards to Chatenois, a delightful small typical Alsace village with a fortified church. If it is open , visit the eccentric pub called Le Darwin. Ascent: +363m / Descent: -660m. Accommodation: A very small family-run hotel, built in traditional style. The rooms are comfortable.
Day 5
Walk past chateaux, a medieval town and vineyards en route to Andlau 19km (6hrs)
From Chatenois a section into the vineyards is followed by a steep climb to the castle ruins of Ramstein and Ortenbourg. The former was built to destroy the latter! Dropping out of the woods, you come into Dambach-La-Ville, home of the Grand Cru wine called Frankstein. wind round the vineyards to Bernardville, and then back into the forest taking along wooded paths and through vineyards until you reach your overnight stop at Andlau. Ascent: +505m / Descent: -472m. Accommodation: A very welcoming hotel located in the famous Kastelberg Grand Cru vineyard, at the edge of Andlau
Day 6
A hilly walk to Obernai 22.8 km (6hrs)
From Andlau we start by walking through Mittelbergheim, dominated by the ruins of the Chateau d’Andlau and Chateau Landsberg. From here it is hilly walking via Mont St. Odile. Some steepish climbs today offering fine views. You climb to St. Odile - a monastery situated on a rocky promontory. You descend to Ottrott before easy walking into Obernai. Ascent: +854m / Descent: -898m. Accommodation: This beautiful hotel is a 14th century building located in the centre of Obernai.
Day 7
Arrangements end after breakfast
Depart Obernai after breakfast.
What's included
What's not included
This moderately graded walk (grade 3) on the Alsace Wine Route should present no difficulties for anyone in reasonable condition and accustomed to walking in hilly terrain. Day Stages: In the region of 11kms (7 miles) to 20kms (16 miles) per day with average altitude gains of 550m. 4 to 7 hours walking per day.
Per Person, Twin Share
it will be in the Franco - Germanic nature of the architecure, history, food and wine making
Yes there is a local tourist tax (Tax de Sejour) you have to pay to the hotels for each night. This is normally a Euro or two
There are some hilly sections, and quite a bit of undulation with days of up to 7 hours of walking, so a reasonable physical fitness is recommended
Each of the towns is a historical beauty! On some days there are optional visits to chateaux, although some of these are privateso you can just see them from a distance. You could do some wine tasting, Alsation wines are famous whites
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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