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The Alsace Wine Route is the oldest in France, and for walkers, it’s a sensory paradise. It offers fairytale villages, world-class vineyards, and the rugged peaks of the Vosges Mountains.

Many trails (like the Sentier des Grands Crus) are specifically designed to educate walkers on the different grape varieties (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris) as they pass through the estates. It’s socially acceptable (and encouraged) to stop for a tasting mid-hike and the paths are generally gentle, following the rolling foothills of the mountains.

The region is famous for its “village-hopping” potential with medieval towns like Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé are clustered so closely together, walkers can navigate through rolling vineyards from one cobblestone street to the next in a single afternoon.

Alsace has one of the highest concentrations of feudal castles in Europe. Hiking here often feels like a journey through time. The main castles include the Three Castles of Ribeauvillé and Haut-Koenigsbourg with both offering panoramic views.

Beyond the physical beauty, the walking culture in Alsace is deeply tied to its gastronomy. The trails are dotted with ferme-auberges (farmhouse inns) and wineries, turning a simple hike into a culinary tour. Whether it’s stopping for a glass of Riesling mid-walk or finishing a long day with a hearty repas marcaire or Tarte Flambée, the region rewards the effort of every mile with world-class food and drink.

Auswalk is Australia’s oldest dedicated walking holiday company, delivering self-guided and guided walks worldwide.

With over 30 years of experience, 30,000+ satisfied guests, and more than 3 million kilometres walked, you’re in expert hands!

A Taste of Alsace – 5 Days

Self-guided

A 5-day self-guided hiking journey that allows time to taste your way through wine villages while walking past rolling vineyards, fairytale villages and historic castles.

 Self-guided 5 Days From $1580 Moderate What's Included

A Taste of Alsace – 5 Days

BACK What's Included
  • 4 nights accommodation in charming 3 and 4-star hotels 
  • Daily breakfast 
  • Transfers as per the itinerary
  • Luggage transfers to ensure a hassle-free experience
  • Digital travel kit with welcome information, GPX files, and detailed itineraries
  • 24/7 phone assistance for peace of mind during your trip
  • Optional pre-booking for transfers to shorten walks
  • Local insights and recommendations for authentic dining experiences

Mountains & Vineyards of Alsace – 8 days

Self-guided

Explore Alsace on an 8-day self-guided hiking journey that weaves through fairytale wine villages, rolling vineyards, historic castles, and the forests of the Vosges Mountains.

 Self-guided 8 Days From $2780 Moderate What's Included

Mountains & Vineyards of Alsace – 8 days

BACK What's Included

  • 7 nights in a mix of charming 3 and 4-star hotels, plus one night in a cosy 2-star auberge
  • Daily breakfast and an evening meal on day 2 
  • Transfers to start and end of walks on days 3, 4 and 7
  • Luggage transfers to ease your hiking experience
  • Detailed digital travel kit including GPX files and day-by-day summaries
  • 24/7 phone support for your adventure
  • Optional pre-tour night and transfers available from Strasbourg
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OVERVIEW

The Alsace wine region is defined by a unique geological staircase that dictates every aspect of the landscape and the path of the famous Route des Vins. The vineyards are between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine Plain to the east. The Vosges rain shadow is moist air that travels from the Atlantic, and hits the Vosges peaks and loses its moisture on the western slopes. By the time the air reaches the eastern side, where the vineyards sit, it is dry and warm. This makes Alsace one of the driest regions in France, allowing for a long, sun-drenched growing season that develops the intense aromatics found in its Rieslings and Gewürztraminers.

The landscape of the wine region is a chaotic “puzzle” of soil types. Millions of years ago, the earth’s crust collapsed to form the Rhine Valley, leaving a mosaic of granite, limestone, volcanic rock, and sandstone scattered across the foothills. The steeper, higher ground often consists of granite and schist, producing mineral-heavy, precise wines. Lower down, the soil is richer in limestone and clay, resulting in more full-bodied, opulent wines. Because these soil types change every few hundred meters, a single village can produce vastly different styles of wine, leading to the designation of 51 Grand Cru plots.

Inaugurated in 1953, the Alsace Wine Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace) is a 170 km thread that stitches these geological zones together. It meanders precisely along the “Piedmont”—the transition zone where the mountain forest meets the agricultural plain. The route stays at an altitude of 200m to 400m, ensuring the vines get maximum southern and eastern sun exposure while staying above the frost-prone valley floor.

Unlike the sprawling estates of Bordeaux, Alsatian winemaking is centralized within the villages. The route takes you directly into the hearts of towns like Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé , where the vineyards literally touch the medieval city walls. Historically, this was done for protection; the wine was fermented in cellars underneath the same half-timbered houses where the growers lived.

The landscape is punctuated by a “sentinel” system of medieval ruins, such as Haut-Koenigsbourg, which sit high above the Wine Route. Geographically, these castles were placed on the rocky outcroppings of the Vosges to monitor the valuable wine trade moving through the valley below. Today, these peaks offer the classic panoramic view of the region: a “sea” of green vines stretching toward the Rhine, often with white storks, the symbol of the region, soaring above the thermal currents rising from the sunny slopes.

 

Local Cuisine

The cuisine and wine of Alsace are inseparable, forming a “Franco-Germanic” hybrid that is arguably the most distinct in France. Because the region is a dry mountain valley, the food is hearty and rustic, designed to sustain farmers and mountain dwellers, while the wine is famously aromatic and world-class.

Unlike the rest of France, Alsace labels its wines by the grape variety rather than the village. About 90% of production is white wine, characterized by high acidity and intense aromatics. The wines include Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir.

The region’s flagship dish is Choucroute Garnie. It consists of finely shredded sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) slow-cooked in Riesling and juniper berries, served under a mountain of smoked meats, including ham hocks, bacon, and Knacks (the local snappy sausages).

Often called Alsatian pizza, Flammekueche (Tarte Flambée) is a paper-thin dough topped with crème fraîche, white onions, and smoky lardons (bacon bits). Traditionally, it was used to test the oven’s heat before baking bread.

Baeckeoffe is a three-meat stew (beef, lamb, and pork) marinated overnight in white wine and slow-cooked for hours with potatoes and carrots in a sealed clay terrine.

Munster Cheese is a pungent, soft cow’s milk cheese from the Munster Valley. It is traditionally eaten with caraway seeds and boiled potatoes, or even dipped in sugar for a dessert-like finish.

Coq au Riesling is a local twist on the classic French Coq au Vin, using the region’s dry Riesling to create a lighter, creamier sauce for chicken and mushrooms.

Alsatian pastries are world-renowned, especially during the festive seasons. Kougelhopf is a tall, crown-shaped brioche cake with raisins and almonds, baked in a specific clay mold. Bredele is a small, intricate biscuits baked by the thousands during the Advent season. Tarte au Fromage Blanc is a local cheesecake that is much lighter and fluffier than the American version.

climate/weather

Choosing the best time to walk in Alsace depends on whether you prefer the lush green of the blooming vineyards or the golden hues of the autumn harvest. Because of the Vosges rain shadow, the region stays drier than most of France, making the walking season exceptionally long, stretching from late March to October.

March & April is a time of rapid transition. While the peaks of the Vosges may still have snow, the valley floor begins to bloom early. It is a popular time for walkers, though late frosts are a constant anxiety for winemakers, as a single freezing night in April can destroy an entire year’s grape crop.

May and June is arguably the most beautiful time to visit. The vineyards are vibrant green, the villages are exploding with flowers (Geraniums are everywhere), and the days are long. It is warm enough for mountain hikes in the Vosges but not “stifling” in the valley.

July & August can be warm and stormy. Because the air is often still in the valley, humidity can build up, leading to dramatic evening thunderstorms that provide the necessary water for the vineyards.

September and October is is the peak of the grape harvest. The weather is stable and crisp, and the vineyards begin their transformation into gold and red.

The climate is not uniform across the region. The slopes of the foothills enjoy a slightly warmer microclimate than the flat plain because they sit above the “frost pockets” of the valley floor and receive more direct, angled sunlight. This is why the most prestigious Grand Cru vineyards are almost exclusively located on these sun-drenched hillsides rather than the flat land near the Rhine.

walking essentials

Your main piece of luggage will be transported for you each day as you walk, so when you arrive at your accommodation, it will be there waiting for you. You will only have to carry a light day pack with your essentials.

As with any journey, it is essential to be prepared for your self-guided walking holiday. While we will be transporting your luggage from accommodation to accommodation, you will still be carrying a lightweight day pack with you. Here is what we suggest that you take with you each day:

  • Walking notes, map and a map case
  • Picnic lunch packed in an insulated container (when supplied)
  • Quality waterproof jacket with a hood
  • Warm jumper or jacket
  • Sunhat/Rainhat
  • Comfortable walking shoes or boots
  • Waterproof backpack cover
  • Sunscreen (at least 15 SPF+)
  • 1 to 2 litres of water
  • First aid kit
  • Toilet paper
  • Some money
  • Mobile phone (please note that reception is not available in all walk areas)
  • Personal insect repellent, band-aids, and a small container of salt mixed with rice grains
  • Personal necessities (example: required medication)

Now that we have the essentials packed, it is time to think of any additional items that may be worth taking along with you. These items may include but are not limited to:

  • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Warm hat
  • Extra socks
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera (with a spare battery or SIM cards)
  • Binoculars
  • Notebook and pen
  • Matches
  • Small torch
  • Walking stick / walking poles
  • Additional snacks

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office and have a chat with our friendly team. We will happily advise you on what types of clothing, backpacks, boots, and other materials you may need for your walking holiday.

Overview

OVERVIEW

The Alsace wine region is defined by a unique geological staircase that dictates every aspect of the landscape and the path of the famous Route des Vins. The vineyards are between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine Plain to the east. The Vosges rain shadow is moist air that travels from the Atlantic, and hits the Vosges peaks and loses its moisture on the western slopes. By the time the air reaches the eastern side, where the vineyards sit, it is dry and warm. This makes Alsace one of the driest regions in France, allowing for a long, sun-drenched growing season that develops the intense aromatics found in its Rieslings and Gewürztraminers.

The landscape of the wine region is a chaotic “puzzle” of soil types. Millions of years ago, the earth’s crust collapsed to form the Rhine Valley, leaving a mosaic of granite, limestone, volcanic rock, and sandstone scattered across the foothills. The steeper, higher ground often consists of granite and schist, producing mineral-heavy, precise wines. Lower down, the soil is richer in limestone and clay, resulting in more full-bodied, opulent wines. Because these soil types change every few hundred meters, a single village can produce vastly different styles of wine, leading to the designation of 51 Grand Cru plots.

Inaugurated in 1953, the Alsace Wine Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace) is a 170 km thread that stitches these geological zones together. It meanders precisely along the “Piedmont”—the transition zone where the mountain forest meets the agricultural plain. The route stays at an altitude of 200m to 400m, ensuring the vines get maximum southern and eastern sun exposure while staying above the frost-prone valley floor.

Unlike the sprawling estates of Bordeaux, Alsatian winemaking is centralized within the villages. The route takes you directly into the hearts of towns like Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé , where the vineyards literally touch the medieval city walls. Historically, this was done for protection; the wine was fermented in cellars underneath the same half-timbered houses where the growers lived.

The landscape is punctuated by a “sentinel” system of medieval ruins, such as Haut-Koenigsbourg, which sit high above the Wine Route. Geographically, these castles were placed on the rocky outcroppings of the Vosges to monitor the valuable wine trade moving through the valley below. Today, these peaks offer the classic panoramic view of the region: a “sea” of green vines stretching toward the Rhine, often with white storks, the symbol of the region, soaring above the thermal currents rising from the sunny slopes.

 

Local Cuisine

Local Cuisine

The cuisine and wine of Alsace are inseparable, forming a “Franco-Germanic” hybrid that is arguably the most distinct in France. Because the region is a dry mountain valley, the food is hearty and rustic, designed to sustain farmers and mountain dwellers, while the wine is famously aromatic and world-class.

Unlike the rest of France, Alsace labels its wines by the grape variety rather than the village. About 90% of production is white wine, characterized by high acidity and intense aromatics. The wines include Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir.

The region’s flagship dish is Choucroute Garnie. It consists of finely shredded sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) slow-cooked in Riesling and juniper berries, served under a mountain of smoked meats, including ham hocks, bacon, and Knacks (the local snappy sausages).

Often called Alsatian pizza, Flammekueche (Tarte Flambée) is a paper-thin dough topped with crème fraîche, white onions, and smoky lardons (bacon bits). Traditionally, it was used to test the oven’s heat before baking bread.

Baeckeoffe is a three-meat stew (beef, lamb, and pork) marinated overnight in white wine and slow-cooked for hours with potatoes and carrots in a sealed clay terrine.

Munster Cheese is a pungent, soft cow’s milk cheese from the Munster Valley. It is traditionally eaten with caraway seeds and boiled potatoes, or even dipped in sugar for a dessert-like finish.

Coq au Riesling is a local twist on the classic French Coq au Vin, using the region’s dry Riesling to create a lighter, creamier sauce for chicken and mushrooms.

Alsatian pastries are world-renowned, especially during the festive seasons. Kougelhopf is a tall, crown-shaped brioche cake with raisins and almonds, baked in a specific clay mold. Bredele is a small, intricate biscuits baked by the thousands during the Advent season. Tarte au Fromage Blanc is a local cheesecake that is much lighter and fluffier than the American version.

climate/weather

climate/weather

Choosing the best time to walk in Alsace depends on whether you prefer the lush green of the blooming vineyards or the golden hues of the autumn harvest. Because of the Vosges rain shadow, the region stays drier than most of France, making the walking season exceptionally long, stretching from late March to October.

March & April is a time of rapid transition. While the peaks of the Vosges may still have snow, the valley floor begins to bloom early. It is a popular time for walkers, though late frosts are a constant anxiety for winemakers, as a single freezing night in April can destroy an entire year’s grape crop.

May and June is arguably the most beautiful time to visit. The vineyards are vibrant green, the villages are exploding with flowers (Geraniums are everywhere), and the days are long. It is warm enough for mountain hikes in the Vosges but not “stifling” in the valley.

July & August can be warm and stormy. Because the air is often still in the valley, humidity can build up, leading to dramatic evening thunderstorms that provide the necessary water for the vineyards.

September and October is is the peak of the grape harvest. The weather is stable and crisp, and the vineyards begin their transformation into gold and red.

The climate is not uniform across the region. The slopes of the foothills enjoy a slightly warmer microclimate than the flat plain because they sit above the “frost pockets” of the valley floor and receive more direct, angled sunlight. This is why the most prestigious Grand Cru vineyards are almost exclusively located on these sun-drenched hillsides rather than the flat land near the Rhine.

walking essentials

walking essentials

Your main piece of luggage will be transported for you each day as you walk, so when you arrive at your accommodation, it will be there waiting for you. You will only have to carry a light day pack with your essentials.

As with any journey, it is essential to be prepared for your self-guided walking holiday. While we will be transporting your luggage from accommodation to accommodation, you will still be carrying a lightweight day pack with you. Here is what we suggest that you take with you each day:

  • Walking notes, map and a map case
  • Picnic lunch packed in an insulated container (when supplied)
  • Quality waterproof jacket with a hood
  • Warm jumper or jacket
  • Sunhat/Rainhat
  • Comfortable walking shoes or boots
  • Waterproof backpack cover
  • Sunscreen (at least 15 SPF+)
  • 1 to 2 litres of water
  • First aid kit
  • Toilet paper
  • Some money
  • Mobile phone (please note that reception is not available in all walk areas)
  • Personal insect repellent, band-aids, and a small container of salt mixed with rice grains
  • Personal necessities (example: required medication)

Now that we have the essentials packed, it is time to think of any additional items that may be worth taking along with you. These items may include but are not limited to:

  • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Warm hat
  • Extra socks
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera (with a spare battery or SIM cards)
  • Binoculars
  • Notebook and pen
  • Matches
  • Small torch
  • Walking stick / walking poles
  • Additional snacks

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office and have a chat with our friendly team. We will happily advise you on what types of clothing, backpacks, boots, and other materials you may need for your walking holiday.

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