5 Days & 4 Nights

4.6

Alsace Wine Route Short Break

Discover the treasures of the Alsace wine region in north-eastern France
Walk between picture-perfect villages of Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé and Eguisheim
Enjoy extensive views over rolling landscapes dotted with medieval castle ruins
Try Alsatian delicacies like Tarte Flambée and Kugelhopf
Relax at the end of the day on a sunny terrace with a glass of aromatic Riesling

Walk through the unique French region of Alsace, from the famous village of Ribeauvillé to the lively village of Eguisheim, one of the ’Plus Beaux Villages de France’. Alsace retains a rich Germanic character; which can be traced back to when it was under German control. It now exudes a unique culture, taking the best of French and German influences; evident in its beautiful architecture and delicious food and drink. Spend your mornings on the trail, and the afternoon relaxing and exploring. As you walk between the picturesque towns and villages, you will truly experience the best Alsace has to offer. Enjoy carefully maintained vineyards, welcoming wine cellars, gourmet restaurants, peaceful forest trails, fairy-tale villages and sweeping views of the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest. You are sure to relish our special walking adventure in this exceptional region of France.

From £639.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Ribeauvillé

Arrive at Sélestat train station (20 mins by train from Strasbourg) from where you will be transferred to Ribeauvillé (30 mins). Ribeauvillé is a lively, picturesque town brimming with pretty half-timbered houses, medieval towers and churches. Why not visit the ‘Cave de Ribeauvillé’ to learn more about the local wine production?

Overnight Ribeauvillé

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel de la Tour | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel de la Tour is a bright and cheerful hotel faithful to the generous Alsatian traditions of hospitality. The hotel has 31 individually decorated rooms, a small bar, sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi and even a tennis court.

Hotel le Ménestrel | 3 Star | Hotel

You will be able to enjoy their comfortable terrasse or our bar, sitting immediately in front of the vineyard. Wellness center (sauna et jacuzzi) available free of charge.

Au Cheval Blanc | 3 Star | Hotel

Nestling in a historic building dating back to 1500, the hotel offers 19 rooms. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TV and bathroom. Free WIFI connection is available in rooms and public areas. There is an outdoor terrace, equipped with a SPA and sauna.

Day 2 Walk to Kaysersberg 7 miles / 11 km

Today you’ll be walking through the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. The trails are undulating and the scenery beautiful; surrounded by lush green vineyards and picturesque villages whose spires dot the horizon. Arrive in Riquewihr, a walled medieval town which has been amazingly preserved. Half-timbered and brightly coloured buildings host a range of shops, restaurants and museums. Continue through vineyards and onto a balcony path above Kayserbserg which leads to the Chateau de Kaysersberg. Descend into the town which was voted ‘France’s Favourite Village’ in 2017.

Elevation Gain/Loss: +296m / -299m

Overnight Kaysersberg

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Les Remparts | 3 Star | Hotel

Within walking distance of the historic old town the Hotel Les Remparts offers you calm and comfort. The hotel has 44 modern rooms, a sauna, games rooms and dozens of excellent restaurants within strolling distance.

Hotel Kle | Hotel

Located in a former house of a wine-grower in the heart of the charming village of Kaysersberg. Staying here is a culinary experience, there is a traditional Alsatian vaulted cellar which is open from breakfast-time until evening. It's the ideal opportunity to discover what the region has to offer, from the fine selection of Alsatian wines to the locally-grown produce.

Day 3 Walk to Turckheim 6 miles / 10 km

Follow the Chemin de Compostelle through vineyards and some shady forest sections. Walking through the authentic villages of Ammerschwihr, Katzenthal and Niedermorschwihr give a glimpse into the everyday lives of the Alsatian inhabitants. Evidence of the wine production and trade is prevalent, and the vineyards you walk through will likely be being tended by the winemakers.

Arrive in Turckheim, another historical delight. The nightwatchman makes his rounds through the town every night at 10pm (May-October) as in the olden days, singing in the Alsatian dialect. Keep an eye out for nesting storks on the tops of the half-timbered houses.

Elevation Gain/Loss: +185m / -204m

Overnight Turckheim

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Les Duex Cles - Turckheim - Alsace

Hotel Des Deux Clefs | 3 Star | Hotel

This hotel is one of the most beautiful buildings in Turckheim, dating back to the 15th century and is full of tradition and charm. Enjoy a refreshing glass of Riesling in the peaceful garden terrace.

Les Portes de laV allee - Turckheim - Alsace

Les Portes de la Vallee | Hotel

A quaint Family run hotel with warm, country-style rooms with wood furnishings in a residential neighborhood is a 10-minute walk from the town center and 8 km from the Château du Hohlandsbourg.

Day 4 Walk to Eguisheim 7.5 miles / 12 km

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast including French classics such as pain-au-chocolat and croissants. Here in Alsace, you will also find "Kugelhopf" in the breakfast buffet, a soft sponge cake with sultanas and nuts which the locals like to dunk into their morning coffee.

A steep but short incline takes you out of Turckheim and into the woods. The rest of the day’s walk is spent between calm forest trails and open vineyard paths. On a clear day, enjoy views of Germany’s Black Forest on your left and on your right a smattering of ruined castles perched high on the hills. Eguisheim is one of France "Plus Beaux Villages" and it's easy to see why. Beautifully ornate, its fountains, traditional houses and colourful flower boxes are a real treat.

Elevation Gain/Loss: +203m / -245m

Overnight Eguisheim

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hostellerie du Château | 3 Star | Hotel

A friendly and warm welcome is waiting from Phillipe and his team at this charming 3* hotel. The hotel benefits from a fantastic location in the main square in Eguisheim, next to the former Château (now a church) and its ubiquitous nesting storks. Rooms are individually decorated.

La Ferme du Pape | Hotel

Located at the gate of the charming village, this hotel is in a beautiful building which has a traditional feel to it and a restaurant worth trying.

Auberge Alsacienne | 3 Star | Hotel

Located at the edge of the charming village of Eguisheim, this hotel is located in a building from the 16th century with modern interiors and a restaurant which serves Alsactian specialities.

Day 5 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 6kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 6kg is equivalent to 4.5 ham and cheese sandwiches from the store. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This tour is ideal for those looking for a classic hotel to hotel itinerary which combines interesting walks with charming towns and villages. It is especially suitable if you are short on time, or would like to combine this itinerary with other tours. The walks are relatively short but undulating, so be prepared this along the way. The length of the walks allow plenty of time to explore and enjoy the gastronomic delights of Alsace. Stay in comfortable, family run 3 star hotels.

Trip Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wine

Short Break

Accessible by Rail

Grade & Terrain

This trip is graded ‘easy-moderate’ overall. The walking days are fairly short, but the trails are undulating with some steep sections. The optional loop walk from Orbey (Day 4) could be considered moderate-strenuous due to the ascent/descent and length. The second optional loop walk (Day 7) could be considered moderate, due to the ascent. You should be in good shape to get the most from this tour. The terrain is a mixture of forest trails, grassy vineyard paths, and paved country lanes and quiet country roads.

Experience & Fitness

This tour is graded easy to moderate. The trails are a combination of dirt trails, gravel tracks and tarmac country roads. The walking routes are a mix of surfaces, but please note that there will be tarmac walking at times as it is unavoidable. This tour is suitable for walkers with good physical fitness. There are rolling hills in this area and it will also be necessary to walk up some short but steep stretches.