Alsace Mountains & Vineyards Walk

Eguisheim is one of the most beautiful villages on the wine route, just 8km from Colmar. Wine making has been an important industry in the area since the Middle Ages and was largely developed by the Bishops of Strasbourg. During the afternoon you can warm up your legs with a walking tour of the old town, where remnants of a fortified castle that was constructed in the 13th century are visible, or relax and sample some of the great wines of the region in one of the many cafés in town.

Following breakfast at the hotel the walking day begins. The first ascent leads to the Three Castles of Eguisheim (600m/1970ft) and later on to Hohlandsbourg Chateau, which offers a panoramic view over Colmar and the Alsace plain dotted with numerous villages. You spend the night in the beautiful town of Turckheim, where each evening at 10pm a night watchman in traditional 16th century costume sings as he switches off the streetlights. Distance: 14km/8.7mi, ascent/descent: +563m/1847ft, -534m/1751ft

Today's walk takes you from Turckheim to Kayserberg, the birthplace of Dr Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize winner, crossing Grand Cru vineyards. Kaysersberg is dominated by a high fortress which stands as a reminder of the strategic importance of the town and its turbulent past. There will be time in the afternoon to explore or relax with a local vintage. Distance: 14km/8.7m, ascent/descent: +654m/2145ft, -631m/2070ft

This morning you leave the wine region to walk in the Vosges. It is a long day of hiking and we suggest setting out early. From Kaysersberg (at 250m/820ft) you ascend to the village of Labaroche and the summit of Petit Honack (927m/3188ft). After the Croix de Wihr Pass (840m/2756ft), the path leads to Munster in the heart of the Vosges Massif. The Munster Valley is the home of the famous Munster cheese made with cow's milk. It is claimed that the distinct flavour of the cheese is obtained from the flora in the pastures and the ancient production methods which have changed little over the years. Distance: 23km/14.3mi, ascent/descent: +1113m/3651ft, -999m/3277ft. Two options to shorten this stage: Option 1: Taxi from Kaysersberg to Trois-Epis (walking 14km/8.75mi). Option 2: Walk from Kaysersberg to Turckheim, then catch a train to Munster (walking 12km/7.45mi).

You leave Munster and ascend in the direction of Wasserbourg (746m/2448ft). You pass the summit of Mühlenkopf (805m/2641ft) and descend further into the valley to discover an area with vineyards and the village of Wintzfelden. Distance: 15km/9.3mi, ascent/descent: +791m/2595ft, -810m/2657ft

Taking a beautiful terraced path dominating the Rhine Valley, you walk in the direction of Gueberschwihr, a medieval town with numerous 16th to 18th Century wine-growers' homes made of timber and stone. Along the way you will see Celtic religious sites and an abbey, before returning to Eguisheim to end your walk. Distance: 17km/10.5mi, ascent/descent: +509m/1669ft, -656m/2152ft

Arrangements conclude after breakfast.