Alsace

STRASBOURG (Arrival)

Your self-guided walking holiday of Alsace begins from Strasbourg. We can arrange to collect you from the Strasbourg train station or airport, or you can make your own way to your city centre accommodation. Welcome to the heart of Alsace, a land of traditions and culture!

STRASBOURG

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OBERNAI

Today you will visit Strasbourg and take the train to Obernai (30 min). With its monumental gothic cathedral featuring carvings as delicate as any piece of lacework, Strasbourg is one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Thanks to the richness and the sheer density of its heritage sites, the entire town centre has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Explore the Kammerzell house for a journey back in time, the Petite France quarter: “The district on the waters”, and the intriguingly mysterious Church of Saint-Thomas. Strasbourg is one of the only cities in the world which is home to international institutions without being a national capital. It houses the Council of Europe, the Human Rights Building, the European Parliament.

OBERNAI

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ANDLAU

In the charming village of Obernai, you will enter the heart of Alsace’s wine country. The Obernai region, which was the property of the dukes of Alsace in the 7th century, is the birthplace of St. Odile, who would become the Patron Saint of Alsace. Walk up to the spiritual shrine to the saint, at the top of Mont Sainte Odile. The hill will amaze you with its extraordinary views and its exceptional natural and archaeological environment. Wander the marked paths for hikers to find places that invite meditation. You will discover the Château du Landsberg, listed since 1965 as a “Monument Historique”, just before to arrive in Barr and then Andlau.

ANDLAU

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CHATENOIS

The authentic village of Andlau owes its origin to Andlau Abbey which was founded in 880. It is famous for its former collegiate church, now the parish church, Saints-Pierre-et-Paul. Two castles are found in the immediate vicinity. The Château d’Andlau was built in Andlau between 1246 and 1264. The Château de Spesbourg, located in the hills immediately above Andlau, was built between 1246 and 1250. The path to Châtenois offers vineyards as far as the eye can see and several castles at the top of hills, where you will have a beautiful panorama of the Alsatian plain.

CHATENOIS

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THANNENKIRCH

Walk along the wine route to the mouth of two valleys in the Vosges. Châtenois is a city of Celtic origin, which has preserved the remains of the “Witches Tower” built in the 15th century. You will also find a Church from 1759 here, with a magnificent old Silbermann organ inside it. Climb to the Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg on a high hill overlooking the Alsatian plain. This castle is the only castle in Alsace that was rebuilt in 1899 by the German Emperor Wilhelm II. After crossing Schaentzel Pass (583m), the way continues until Thannenkirchen.

THANNENKIRCH

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KAYSERSBERG

Situated below the Taennchel mountain (992 m), Thannenkirch is a “zone of tranquillity and silence”. In the spring, this village, which has preserved its authentic character and its simplicity, is the scene of a thousand flowering cherry trees. You can admire the delicate blooms in any of the village’s many orchards. This stage of the walk has been kept short to leave plenty of time for visits to the towns you will walk through; Ribeauville, Riquewhir and Kaysesberg.

KAYSERSBERG

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COLMAR

Today you have tow option, walking from Kaysersberg to Colmar (11km), or taking the bus (22 min) Kaysersberg is considered one of the most beautiful cities on the wine route. The high fortress that dominates the city serves as a reminder of both its strategic importance and its warlike past. Before World War One, Kaysersberg was part of Germany. Situated along the Alsatian Wine Route, Colmar considers itself to be the “Capital of Alsatian Wine”. Colmar is undoubtedly an exceptional town due to the wealth and variety of its historical and architectural heritage. Saint Martin’s Collegiate Church, The Dominican Church, House of Heads, Voltaire’s residence and many more sites await you. They are all wonderfully preserved from the ravages of time. Colmar’s homogenous historical centre is classed as a “protected area”.

COLMAR

Your self-guided walking holiday of Alsace finishes in Colmar. We can arrange extra nights anywhere on the itinerary during your walk or after your last walking day. We can also arrange a train station or airport transfers.