HOLIDAY TYPE: Independent (no minimum group size) MEALS: Dinner & continental breakfast DEPARTS: Every two days from May 13 to Sep 20 DURATION: 9 days (8 nights)
General Information This holiday traces the central part of the famous Route du Vin, where practically every colourful village has its own vineyard and east-facing ruined castle. There are countless opportunities to taste wines along your way. The Alsatian vignerons are so proud of what they produce that they will insist you sample their whole range, while everyone enjoys a good chat. We find them really hospitable and charming.
The walks average three hours a day, taking you on sentiers viticoles paths via neatly-groomed vineyards and along tracks in the Vosges foothill forests to a succession of 'Hansel and Gretel' villages, all spick and span and temptingly photogenic. Geraniums spill from window boxes and balconies, and the half-timbered buildings can be plastered in pastel colours, bright blue, apricot or red.
All our hotels are family-run and pride themselves on their warm welcome. They have modern amenities and a traditional atmosphere. We arrange for you to have dinner at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant.
Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive at Châtenois for dinner. You stay in a typical Alsacian house in the heart of the tiny village. It feels more like a friendly country house than a hotel and the food is superb, with many local delicacies. The village has lots of wines to taste and old buildings to explore - don't miss the Witches' Tower (Tour des Sorcières), a reminder of a more superstitious and violent age when torture was commonplace.
Day 2 - La Forge to Ammerschwihr (3 1/2hrs/13km) We give you a lift to the village of La Forge for the start of the walk. From here it's a short stroll to Turckheim, a pretty Renaissance town with a wonderful mix of Gothic and half-timbered houses giving it a very Germanic flavour. From here you follow pathways through vineyards via flower-filled Niedermorschwir and Katzenthal (home of küchen, a delicious cinnamon cake) before arriving at our lovely hotel in Ammerschwir, where the both Le Patron and his daughter speak English.
Day 3 - At Ammerschwihr Ammerschmir dates back to the 9C and has been fought over by the major powers of Europe ever since. It suffered greatly during WW2 during the battle for the Colmar Pocket but has been carefully and tastefully rebuilt. Throughout history it has been associated with wine and it's also famous as a gourmet's delight, boasting some excellent and expensive restaurants. You can play golf or tennis, swim in the pool at Kayersberg, or visit nearby Colmar - one of the most beautiful towns in the region.
Day 4 - Ammerschwir to Riquewihr (3 1/2hrs/11km) Head through vineyards and on to Kayersberg, a beautifully preserved fortified village on the banks of the River Weiss. Albert Schweitzer was born here in 1875 and a little museum is dedicated to him. Then you have a choice: a short route with an initial steep climb via the Rocher des Corbeaux or a longer but more gentle ascent through oak and beech forest to St Alexis Chapelle (a good lunch spot). Then it's downhill to Riquewihr - a showcase of medieval and Renaissance houses - known as "the pearl of the vineyards".
Day 5 - At Riquewihr Our homely and charming hotel is right in the centre of Riquewihr, a town so enchanting that it has been declared an historic monument in its entirety. You'll be bewitched by its cobbled alleys, galleried courtyards, old wells and fountains, and colourful signboards. Riquewihr is a major centre of the wine trade where the influential Hugel family have been harvesting grapes since 1639, and there are numerous winstubs where you can try different wines.
Day 6 - Riquewihr to Bergheim (2 1/2hrs/10km) You pass through the heart of medieval Alsace via the Riesling vineyards nestling at the foot of the mountains. Hunawihr has a fortified church and a centre for rearing storks - you'll also find otters, butterflies and orchids in the reserve there. Nearby Ribeauvillé hosts a folk festival in September when the town fountain runs with free wine and another fête in June when giant kugelhopf cakes are paraded through the streets. Three ruined castles of the once powerful counts of Ribeaupierre look down as you walk on through the vines to Bergheim.
Day 7 - At Bergheim This colourful and ancient market town was a medieval refuge where criminals on the run were safe from persecution - unless they were thought to be witches. (Until the late 1800s a carving on the Haute Porte depicted a man thumbing his nose at authority!). There are lots of beautiful timber-framed houses and a decorated fountain in the old square. Or take a short taxi ride to the amazing Haut Koenigsbourg Castle - it's a gentle downhill walk back!
Day 8 - Bergheim to Châtenois (3hrs/11km) There's a real mixture of things to do and see on your final day's walk back to Châtenois. You continue along the Route du Vin to a poignant WW2 German military cemetery where you'll find a breathtaking panoramic view which includes the famous restored château at Haut-Koenigsbourg. At St Hippolyte there's a Gothic church and fountain and Orschwiller has a small local history museum. The ruined court of medieval Kintzheim Castle is the setting for spectacular flying displays by birds of prey including eagles and vultures.
