Arrival in Eguisheim, one of the most beautiful villages of the Alsace Wine Route, located 8 km from Colmar and nestled in a green setting at the foot of its three castles. This small medieval village with its unique architecture and colorful palette will welcome you with charm and authenticity.
The first ascent will lead you to the castles of Eguisheim at 600 m of altitude, and further on to the Hohlandsbourg castle that offers a panoramic view on Colmar, the plain of Alsace and its numerous villages. You will return to the valley and the next part of your hike will lead you to the beautiful city of Turckheim where every summer evening, a night watchman in traditional 16th century costume sings the extinction of fires.
Your itinerary goes through the famous Alsatian vineyards from Turckheim to Kaysersberg, birthplace of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize winner. The strategic position of this village with its cobbled streets and richly decorated half-timbered houses revives the memory of the Roman road that linked Alsace to Lorraine.
The stage of the day will offer you your first impressions of the Vosges Mountains. From Kaysersberg, you will reach the village of Labaroche and the summit of the Petit Hohnack (927m). After the Croix de Wihr pass (840m), the trail will lead you to Munster, in the heart of the Vosges Mountains. This small town and its green valley is famous for its cheese of the same name, one of the culinary emblems of the region. Enjoy it with caraway seeds and a glass of Pinot Gris or Gewurtztraminer. A pure delight!
You will leave Munster in the direction of the Wassenberg, ruin of a castle installed at 746m of altitude on a spur projecting above the village of Wasserbourg. You will then cross the summit of the Mühlenkopf (805m) to find the vineyards and the village of Wintzfelden in the valley. Do not miss to stop in one of the fermes-auberges that you will meet on your way. These old summer farms where cowherds and shepherds used to welcome walkers to share their meal, now serve products from the farm. You can taste the "repas marcaire" or other local specialties.
Following a beautiful terraced path overlooking the Rhine valley, you will walk towards Gueberschwihr, a pretty little village known for its famous vineyard and its beautiful Roman bell tower. Before returning to Eguisheim, you will discover along the way traces of the Celts, who when the Romans forced them to abandon the fertile lands of the Alsace plain, found refuge on the heights and settled on the Vosges summits.
You can now individually extend your stay in Alsace and explore the rest independently.