C150-COMFORT Wine trails in Alsace

Located at the gates of Strasbourg, the Alsace vineyard stretches across the slopes of Les Vosges, between 200 and 400 metres high, and covers more than 14 000 hectares. Sheltered from oceanic effects by the mountain, the vineyard benefits from a semi-continental climate, with brilliant sun and hot, dry summers. The vine was introduced to Alsace by the Roman legions and, already in the Middle Ages, its wines were renowned and found themselves among the most appreciated in Europe. The successive wars decimated the vineyard, but strenuous work and unbending demands of quality brought the vineyard back to its true grandeur and nobility. During this tour, you will taste the different types of wine that reflect the great geological diversity of the vineyard. Along the way, you will discover the medieval cities, flowered streets, Romanesque and Gothic churches, Renaissance houses and cordial “weinstubs” of the area. A lively and merry tour, full of colors!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at OBERNAI (birthplace of Saint Odile). This charming small town, one of the most beautiful in Alsace, has preserved a large part of its ramparts. Behind them, multicolored half-timbered houses and high gables crowd a labyrinth of small lanes. The market place is famous for its beauty and, wandering through it and the nearby streets, you will enjoy the courtyards and old wells that decorate the scenery – Lodging and breakfast in a 4-star hotel

Day 2 – OBERNAI – ANDLAU (15 km – 4.30 hour walk). You will leave Obernai and pass through the villages of Bernardwiller and Heiligenstein. You will reach Barr, an industrial town and an important wine-producing center, and continue on to the picturesque village of Mittelbergheim, clinging to the hillside. You will then head to your evening’s destination, Andlau, nestling in a green valley, that has kept some old houses and the church remains of a former monastery. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Day 3 – ANDLAU – SCHERWILLER (18 km – 5 hour walk). After having passed through the villages of Itterwiller and Blienschwiller, you will arrive at Dambach and the Saint Sebastien chapel, which has looked over this medieval city as it has turned more and more to the cultivation of wine. The medieval town center is surrounded by ramparts of which three town gates are still standing. The day’s journey will end at the peaceful viticultural town of Scherwiller. Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel.

Day 4 – SCHERWILLER – RIBEAUVILLE (18 km – 5 hour walk). You will cross the village of Scherwiller and follow the Aubach River, admiring the 18th century half-timbered homes that spot the river’s banks. At the small town of Châtenois, you will find remarkable buildings, such as the Romanesque belfry and the picturesque gatehouse known as the Tour des Sorcières – the Witches’ Tower. Passing by flowered fountains and the Gothic church of Saint Hippolyte, you will continue your walk to Ribeauvillé, a typical village whose main street is lined with colorful half-timbered houses. It is overlooked by the ruins of the three castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre – Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel.

Day 5 – RIBEAUVILLE –KAYSERSBERG (12 km –3.45 hours’walk). Taking again to the vineyards, you will head in the direction of Hunawihr and then Riquewihr, a sublime Alsatian village highly recognized for its Riesling. Lose yourself in the in the winding lanes of the village to explore the wonderful old homes, each one splendid in its own right. You will take up your walk again and continue on to Kaysersberg, another Alsatian village that has kept its medieval character. Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Day 6 – KAYSERSBERG – TURCKHEIM or EGUISHEIM (11 or 22  km – 3 or 6-hour walk). On leaving Kaysesberg you will head to the beautifully flowered village of Ammerschwihr You will continue on and make your way through the villages of Katzenthal and Niedermorschwihr to reach Turckheim. This wonderful old city is encircled in ramparts and adorned by many renaissance buildings. Transfer by taxi to Eguisheim. You can continue your hike through forests and vineyards to reach Wettolhseim, which might just be the cradle of the Alsatian wine-growing region, the first vines having been planted by the Romans. You will end your day in the beautiful viticulture city of Eguisheim. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Day 7 – COLMAR. Transfer by taxi to Colmar. You will spend the entire day strolling the town center, which has kept a wonderful medieval Alsatian character, evident in the streets, lined with half-timbered homes. Discover the fantastically restored Petite Venise – the former tanners’ district near the Lauch River, and the Musée d’Unterlinden, housed in an former convent. It holds fascinating collections of paintings and sculptures from Middle-Ages and Renaissance, as well as Alsatian popular art and decorative collections showing Alsatian life in centuries past. Lodging and breakfast in a 4-star hotel.

Day 8 – COLMAR. Tour ends after breakfast.

Best Season

From April to middle of October but be careful this area is very crowded in summer time and we recommend you (if you can) to come outside this period. Nevertheless this area attracts a lot of tourists and you have to reserve earlier to get the best rooms.

What’s included?

• 7 nights’ accommodation in selected 3 or 4 star hotels
• 7 breakfasts – 3 gourmet dinners
• Hotel to hotel luggage transfer along the trail.
• Taxi transfers : Turckheim – Eguisheim, Eguisheim-Colmar
• A set of maps (1/25 000 scale) with the route marked on and detailed route notes describing the trail.
• A daily itinerary together with information about facilities and places of interest along the trail.
• Emergency assistance.

Visa fees – transportation fees to and from the walk area – Insurance (strongly recommended on all trips) – Transfers except those mentioned above – Drinks – Entrance fees – Additional meals – Spending of personal nature e.g. laundry, souvenirs, phone calls, are not included

Getting there and away

By train: Obernai is on the Strasbourg Molsheim – Selestat rail line and can be easily reached in the two directions (about fifteen trains per day except on Sundays, 4 trains only). Colmar and Selestat are on the Strasbourg-Mulhouse-Bale line and many connections with the other French rail stations.

By car: Obernai and Colmar are easily reachable from the Strasbourg-Mulhouse motorway.

Where to park : unsupervised car park at Obernai

Walk difficulty

Grade 1 – This tour is easy. No walk more than 18 km (11 miles). You will walk 4 or 5 hours at relaxed pace and spend time at places of interest along the route. Walking experience is not necessary as distances are short and the terrain is gentle. Everybody can walk this tour.