Day 1: Welcome to Alsace

At 6.00 pm, our mountain leader welcomes us to the Hôtel Le Menestrel in Ribeauvillé. During our first dinner together, we discuss our next week's hiking. (UN)

Day 2: Medieval wine villages and Haut-Koenigsbourg

In the morning, we hike through medieval wine villages and vineyards to Saint-Hippolythe. After lunch, we visit the 12th-century perched castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg - no castle embodies Alsace better than this one. After countless changes of ownership, sieges, destruction and finally an existence as a quarry, the former Stauferburg was given to the German Emperor in 1899, who had it restored. The keep, ramparts, windmill, towers and gates now reveal nothing of the former ruins. approx. 11.5 km (F, M, A) 250 m, 250 m, approx. 3.5 hours

Day 3: Along the Heidenmauer to Odilienberg

The Heidenmauer is often considered the most important historical monument in Central Europe. It encloses the entire high plateau of Mont Sainte-Odile over a length of around 10 km. The age of the wall still intrigues archaeologists. Today, we're following the Heidenmauer on magnificent trails with excellent views of the Vosges, Alsace, the Black Forest and, on a clear day, as far as the Alps. Soon we reached the highest point of Mount Sainte-Odile. According to legend, the monastery of Mont Sainte Odile was founded by the blind daughter of a Merovingian king. The Odilienquelle, said to have healing powers for the eyes, bubbles just below the monastery. We visit the monastery and chapel. approx. 9 km (F, M) 400 m, 200 m, approx. 3.5 hours

Day 4: In the valley of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines with a visit to the winemaker

We take the bus to Le Bonhomme. This is where our hike to "Petit Brézouard" and "Grand Brézouard" (small and large Brézouard) begins. On the way back, a visit to a winegrower with tasting awaits us. Renowned the world over for their finesse and elegance, Alsace wines impress with their variety of flavors and aromas. The region's main grape varieties are Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürzdraminer and Muscat. Today, we have the opportunity to taste these exceptional wines. After the wine tasting, we walk back to our hotel. approx. 12 km (F, M, A) 600 m, 350 m, approx. 4 hours

Day 5: The Ribeauville ruins

Today's hike takes us directly from the hotel to the Ribeauville ruins. approx. 11 km (F, A) 300 m, 300 m, approx. 4.5 hours

Day 6: Three lakes in the Hautes Vosges: Lac Blanc, Lac Noir, Lac du Forlet

We drive to Orbey and enjoy a magnificent view of the Kaysersberg valley. We start our hike from Lac Blanc (White Lake). The lake is 72 m deep and lies in an Ice Age granite basin. It owes its name "Lac Blanc" to the light quartz sand at the bottom of the lake. We enjoy the magnificent view over Lac Noir. Lac Noir is also situated in a rocky basin, surrounded by wooded rocky slopes. The marshy subsoil gives the lake its typical dark, sometimes black appearance. Continue on foot along the old customs path down to Lac du Forlet (Forlenweiher). We stop at the traditional Forlet milking parlour before crossing the Hautes-Huttes to the Col du Wettstein. On the way back we stop at a cheese dairy. Here we taste a typical mountain cheese, or perhaps we prefer a winegrower's cheese? approx. 13 km (F, M, D) 300 m, 550 m, approx. 4.5 hours

Day 7: Saying goodbye to Alsace

After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye, and your individual journey home begins. (F) Hotel and program changes are expressly reserved. (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)