Teachers' Travel                                Sherpa

2008  Independent Walking Holidays
 
Vineyard Trails of Alsace, France
 
 


Alsace, France - Independent Inn to Inn Walking:

This walk is through the green and mountainous corridor between Lorraine on the west, Germany to the north and east and Switzerland to the south. It is a delightful walk through the foot-hills of the Vosgues Mountains. The route goes through pretty villages full of narrow streets and half-timbered houses. Start at Turckheim where one finds the last remaining night-watch man in France. Travel through Riquewihr and Kayserberg with its castle overlooking the plain of Alsace. There are fortifications from the 13th century at Ribeauville and one can explore the 12th century fortress of Haut Koenigsbourg. Alsace is a great area for lovers of food and wine.

No of Nights :           6
Starts at:                 Turckheim (near Colmar)     Ends at:        Obernai
Dates available:      Start any day from May to end of Sept.
Grade:                     Moderate   Day stages:    min 15 - 20 km

Accommodation:     Our first night is spent in Turckheim, a traditional Alsatian 2* hotel where you will receive a warm welcome and superb cuisine. Then we stay in a comfortable, modern 3* hotel with a sauna and terrace. It is situated by the old fortified gates of the village of Riquewihr. The evening meal is arranged in a typical restaurant in the village. On night 3 we stay at a flower-bedecked modern 3* building or a guesthouse in the mountain village of Thannenkirch, built in the traditional style. There is a good restaurant and entertainment on some nights. Then, in contrast, a very small, traditional family-run 2* hotel in the delightful village of Chatenois with a beautiful dining room. Night 5 is spent in the lively market town of Andlau at a modern 3* hotel where the food is remarkable. For the final night you will stay in a beautiful 2* hotel in Obernai.

Meals included:     Breakfast daily and 6 dinners.
Price:                      576 UK   (based on double)   $1203 Cdn or US
                               Single supplement 148 UK    $309 Cdn or US

Itinerary:     

  Day 1: Arrive in Turckheim, a mountain village set above the vineyards. A ski resort in winter.

 Day 2: 14kms/9 miles, 676m ascent/4 to 5 hours, via Katzenthal, Ammerschwir, and Kaysersberg. We descend at the end of the day through forest and 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.

 Day 3: 11 kms/7 miles, 460m ascent/4 to 5 hours, via Hunawihr, Ribeauville, the 3 chateaux of Ribeaupierre and Dassenberg mountain. We enjoy wide views today over the plains of Alsace as we climb to 645 metres past the ruined chateaux of St. Ulrich and Gisberg to the small mountain village of Thannenkirch. 

 Day 4: 12.5 kms, 257m ascent/ 4 to 5 hours walking, via Haut Koenigsbourg, Vick (the monkey mountain). There is a wonderful chateau at Haut Koenigsbourg with panoramic views of the valleys below. There is also the chance to visit the Eagle Centre before descending through the vineyards to Chatenois

 Day 5: 19kms, 575m ascent/6 hours walking. Chatenois to Andlau, via Ortembourg Chateau and on to Dambach, a medieval town surrounded by ramparts. The route then goes on to Neue Matten, Bernardville, it takes us along wooded paths and through vineyards until you reach your overnight stop at Andlau..

 Day 6: 20km, 693m ascent/6 hours. Andlau to Obernai. From Andlau we start by walking through Mittelbergheim, dominated by the ruins of the Chateau d’Andlau, to the small town of Barr. 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 Ottrot before walking on to Obernai.

 Day 7:  Depart Obernai after breakfast. 40 minutes by train to Strasbourg.

        For details ask for a Sherpa Independent Walking Brochure.
Back to Sherpa Independent Walking Home Page
Contact Us and Booking Info Back to Teachers Travel Home Page