Wine Hiking in Alsace & the Vosges Mountains

Welcome to Eguisheim, one of the most characterful villages along the Alsace wine route. The small medieval village lies just eight kilometres from Colmar, surrounded by vineyards and with three castles on the hills above. Here, narrow lanes wind between colourful half-timbered houses, flower-adorned facades and small wine cellars. Check in at the hotel and use the rest of the day for a first stroll through the village. This is Alsace exactly as you'd want it to look – and a very pleasant place to lace up your hiking boots ahead of the week.

Now the real hiking begins. From Eguisheim, the trail climbs up towards the three castles above the village and reaches around 600 metres in altitude. You then continue to the mighty Château du Hohlandsbourg, whose strategic location offers wide views over Colmar, the Alsace plain and the villages below. The hike then descends back towards the wine country and continues to Turckheim. This beautiful little town has preserved much of its historic character, and on summer evenings the town's traditional night watchman still makes his rounds dressed in 16th-century costume.

Today's stage takes you straight through the famous Alsatian wine landscape. Rows of vines drape across the slopes while small villages and church spires peek up from the green surroundings. The destination is Kaysersberg, birthplace of the physician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Albert Schweitzer. The town's strategic location recalls the old Roman road that once connected Alsace and Lorraine. Kaysersberg is also a real gem, with cobbled lanes, richly decorated half-timbered houses and plenty of atmosphere. A moderately long hiking day that leaves time to explore the town once your boots are off.

The trip's longest and most demanding stage takes you from the wine country up into the Vosges. From Kaysersberg, the trail heads towards Labaroche and on to the summit of Petit Hohnack at 927 metres. You then pass Croix de Wihr at 840 metres before eventually descending towards Munster and the green valley nestled among the mountains. Munster is of course known for the cheese of the same name – try it with cumin and a glass of Pinot Gris or Gewürztraminer. A substantial hiking day with plenty of elevation change and a real sense of having truly crossed a landscape. The stage can be shortened by about 10 km by taxi or train.

You leave Munster and climb once again among the forests of the Vosges. The route heads towards the ruins of Wassenberg, beautifully situated on a mountain ridge at around 746 metres above sea level, and on over Mühlenkopf at 805 metres. Eventually the vineyards come back into view as the trail descends towards Wintzfelden. Keep an eye out for the region's traditional fermes-auberges, old mountain pasture farms where shepherds once welcomed passing hikers – and many still do today. Nowadays they often serve the farm's own produce and hearty regional dishes. An excellent opportunity to try a classic repas marcaire.

The final hiking day follows a beautiful terraced path with views over the Rhine valley. You reach Gueberschwihr, a small wine village known for its vineyards and its beautiful Romanesque church tower. On the way back towards Eguisheim, you also pass traces of the Celtic history of the area. When the Romans pushed them out of the fertile Alsace plain, they sought refuge up in the heights of the Vosges. After yet another varied day between history, forest and vineyards, the circle closes and you're back among Eguisheim's winding lanes. A fitting end to a hiking week that has moved all the way from vineyards to mountain peaks in a surprising landscape.

After breakfast, the trip comes to an end. If you have time to spare, there's good reason to linger in Eguisheim, or extend your stay with an extra night. Colmar is just a few kilometres away and is perfect for further sightseeing before heading home. From there, there are also good onward connections by train to, among other places, Strasbourg and the Basel area.