Alsace Vineyard Trails

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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 Accommodation: A very small family-run hotel, built in traditional style. The rooms are comfortable.

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. Accommodation: A very welcoming hotel located in the famous Kastelberg Grand Cru vineyard, at the edge of Andlau

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. . Accommodation: This beautiful hotel is a 14th century building located in the centre of Obernai.

Depart Obernai after breakfast.