The Medieval Alsace Walking Tour 2013This tour is not described in our brochure | |
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Day 1. Arrive in Wissembourg, an attractive old town with many characteristic half-timbered buidlings just across the border from the main wine growing area of Germany. Enjoy a stroll around the old town. Overnight in 2* Hotel. Day 2. First climb up to the Col du Pigeonnier, then on to the Pfaffenschlick and the Soultzerkopf. The day ends in Lembach, where you can visit one of the former forts of the Maginot Line (about 12½ miles). Overnight in 2* Hotel. |
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Day 3. In the morning your walk takes you past three castles, all characteristic
of northern Alsace. The third, Fleckenstein, was considered one of the most
formidable fortresses in the Vosges. A fourth castle, Froensbourg, is passed
during the afternoon, before ending at either Niedersteinbach (about 11 miles)
or Obersteinbach (about 12½ miles), depending on availability.
Overnight in 3* Hotel. Day 4. Follow the valley of the River Lauter up to Schoeneck Castle, then continue to climb to the summit of the Grand Wintersberg, at 1911 feet the highest point in the northern Vosges. From here descend via a Celtic fort to the spa town of Niederbronn-les-Bains (about 12½ miles from Niedersteinbach or 11 miles from Obersteinbach). Overnight in 3* Hotel. Day 5. First climb to Wasenbourg Castle, which overlooks the Niederbronn valley, then to Grand Arnsbourg Castle, a romantic ruin. From here, walk down the Untermuehlthal Valley to Reipertswiller (about 12½ miles) or continue to Ingwiller (about 16 miles), depending on availability. Overnight in 2* Hotel. Day 6. The first point of special interest today is Lichtenberg Castle. This was redeveloped by Vauban as one of his classic fortresses in 1680 and then restored again in the 19th. century. The route continues via the villages of Wimmenau and Eckhartswiller before reaching La Petite Pierre, a dramatic large village centred around its castle (about 14 miles from Reipertswiller or 12½ miles from Ingwiller). Overnight in 3* Hotel. |
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Day 7. The final day takes you first to Huneburg Castle, restored in neo-romanesque
style, then to the contrasting ruins of Daubenschlagfels. From here, walk down to
Saint-Jean-lès-Saverne with its 12th century abbey church. Continue to
Saverne, which has an attractive old town and the imposing neo-classical Rohan Castle
(about 14½ miles). Overnight in 3* Hotel. |
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