Walking Holidays
France

Alsace

Our independent walking holiday in the French region of Alsace explores two distinct areas: the famous Alsace vineyards and the Vosges hills and valleys that border them. The Alsace vines are rightly famous for not only producing a number of unique wines, but also for their rich architectural and historical heritage. Whilst walking, you'll get the chance to explore a number of medieval castles atop striking outposts and pretty unspoilt villages decorated with beautiful floral displays and their cobbled alleyways lined with typical Alsace houses. Some of the prettiest villages in the region which you can visit during your independent walking holiday include Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim. All these villages are set in a perfect decor of timeless valleys covered in vines, orchards and woods. Rising to the west are the Vosges Mountains, their slopes providing memorable views across their rounded summits and valleys, known as Ballons.

Holiday Profile

6 night/7 days: 5 days independent walking moving between guest houses

Dates

Everday of week subject to availability from 1 April to 31 October

Walking Profile & Grade

The walking is on good tracks with effective waymarking. In general the holiday is moderate in grade. However it does have its more challenging moments due to a number of ascents and a day which involves 25km of walking .

Walk lengths: 15 - 25km, Average daily ascent: 750m, (max 1090m), Average daily walking time 5 - 6 hrs

This walking holiday would be suitable for those with some walking or trekking experience, looking to discover the different facets of this part of Alsace.

This walking holiday is graded moderate to challenging. You should have experience of day walking and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

On this independent walking tour in the Alsace you'll be staying 6 nights in 3 star hotels and guest houses, all on B&B basis. All are based on 2 sharing. The hotels are relatively small guest houses with plenty of character.

When to Travel

Our self-guided walking tour of the vineyards of Alsace and the Vosges hills is available from April to October inclusive. Alsace has a semi-continental climate with cold, dry winters and hot summers. The Vosges hills protect the Rhine Valley to the east giving the region a dry and sunny micro-climate. For example, Colmar is the 2nd driest city in France, with an annual precipitation of just 550 mm.

April can be cool and there is still a risk of snow on the higher hills early in the month. May is one of the best times of year for walking with average maximum temperatures of 20°C during the day at low altitudes. It is also a time when the wild flowers will be on the hills and the vines will have their spring foliage. May is, however, the wettest period of the year with an average of over 11 days with some rain during the month. June is slightly drier and sunnier with temperatures averaging 24°C at low altitudes. Storms are more common in June and July. From June to August the risk of very hot weather increases.

As you progress into September the average rainfall total continues to decrease with an average of less than 9 days of rain per month. Temperatures fall back to the low twenties on average during the day. It is also the period when the grape picking takes place, adding to the activity in the vines surrounding the villages. October is relatively dry but not very sunny. Average daytime temperatures are 15°C at low altitudes. The leaves on the vines are starting to turn shades of orange and red adding a new dimension to the pretty Alsace landscapes.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

Much of this walking holiday follows GR (Grande Randonnee) long distance trails which are well way-marked with red and white markings. There are also a large number of other waymarkings for a variety of circuits. The walking follows clear paths and tracks for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch, water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday our local partners have booked taxis to transfer your bags to the next accommodation. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg.

Travel Info

Getting to and from Eguisheim, Alsace

This page provides some useful information and links about how to get to the start of your independent walking holiday in the French region of Alsace at Eguisheim. Please contact us if you would like help in organising your travel arrangements.

By Train

Strasbourg is now just 2hrs 20 minutes from Paris with the new TGV high-speed train line. From Strasbourg you can take a local TER train to Colmar from where you can take a taxi.

Flight Options

Airport Strasbourg Entzheim: at 50 minute‘s 

City jet fly to Strasbourg from London City Airport

Airport Baden Airpark: at 90 minute’s 
Airport Mulhouse – Basel:  at 60 minute‘s   
Airport Zurich: 140 minute‘s 

• From €1075 
• Prices per person based on 2 sharing
• Extra nights: €75 B&B