In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationUpper Rhine / Colmar
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions95.42 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
This self-guided hiking trip offers a 7-day trek through the heart of the Alsatian Vosges Mountains, between vineyards, mid-mountain forests, and high-altitude peaks. The route forms a loop starting from Turckheim, without transfers, and largely follows the GR 5 long-distance hiking trail, supplemented by forest paths and ridge trails.
This hike is suitable for regular walkers, with daily stages of 14 to 18 km and moderate to significant elevation gains. The route is continuous, without technical difficulty, and allows for a gradual appreciation of the landscapes shaped by forestry and agricultural practices.
The trip is offered on a self-guided basis: accommodations are booked each night, luggage transport is not included, and participants are responsible for their own picnics and some evening meals. This arrangement allows for great flexibility in the pace of walking and exploration, while ensuring secure logistics.
The highlights
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Large loop hike without transfers, starting and finishing in Turckheim.
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6 days of walking with comfortable 2* and 3* hotels
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Self-guided itinerary, mostly on the GR 5
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average distance/day: 19 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 552 m
- Average daily descent: 500 m
Management
Program
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Arrival in Turckheim
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
- Arrival at Turckheim at your leisure in the afternoon.
- Accessible by train (approx. 3 hours from Paris); station located approx. 300 m from the hotel.
- Check-in at the hotel from 4pm.
- Free time to explore the village.
Dinner at your leisure.
Overnight stay in a B&B at the hotel in the village.
Day 1 -
from Turckheim to Orbey
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 560 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
(Labaroche - Collet du Linge)
- Starting point: walking from the village.
- Gradual ascent: exit from the vineyard and entry into the mid-mountain region via the GR 5 variant and forest paths.
- Passing through the Collet du Linge, a place of remembrance, before arriving on the Orbey plateau.
Picnic from your own bag or at the Glasborn Inn (reservation recommended).
Dinner at your leisure (restaurant closed on Wednesdays).
Night in a B&B.
Day 2 -
from Orbey to Bonhomme
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 680 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
(Black Lake - White Lake - Tête des Faux)
- High-altitude stage: forests, glacial lakes and more pronounced relief.
- Crossing the Black Lake and the White Lake, with their contrasting atmospheres.
- Passing by the Tête des Faux, then descending towards Le Bonhomme.
Picnic lunch (can be ordered the day before).
Dinner at the table of a master restaurateur.
Overnight stay with half board.
Day 3 -
of the Bonhomme in Thannenkirch
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 24 km
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 950 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
(Col de Bagenelle - Brézouard - Taennchel)
- Ridge stage on the GR®5: alternating between forests, stubble fields and clearings.
- The Bagenelle pass structures the route; the Brézouard marks the high point; the Taennchel evokes the ancient forms of settlement of the massif.
- Descent towards the Alsatian side and arrival in Thannenkirch.
Picnic lunch (can be ordered the day before).
Dinner and overnight stay with half-board.
Day 4 -
from Thannenkirch to Châtenois
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 270 m
- Negative elevation 200 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
(Haut-Koenigsbourg - visit)
- Ascent to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle via forest paths.
- Self-guided tour included: reading about the evolution of the site, from the medieval castrum to its current state.
- Descent towards the vineyard foothills and arrival in Châtenois.
Picnic lunch (can be ordered the day before).
Dinner at your leisure.
Night in a B&B.
Day 5 -
from Châtenois to Riquewihr
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 510 m
- Negative elevation 420 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
(Ribeauvillé)
- Foothills stage: vineyards, hillsides and crossings of villages.
- Passing through Ribeauvillé , at the heart of the stage.
- Arrival in Riquewihr, a fortified village in the Alsatian vineyards.
Picnic from your own bag or restaurant in Ribeauvillé.
Dinner at leisure in Riquewihr.
Night in a B&B.
Day 6 -
from Riquewihr to Turckheim (Kaysersberg)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 370 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
(Kaysersberg)
- Last day, a gentler one, between vineyard paths and village connections.
- Passing through Kaysersberg .
- Back to Turckheim, end of the loop without transfer.
Picnic from your own bag or restaurant in Kaysersberg.
End of stay in Turckheim.
Day 7
Note
Note:
You are undertaking this hike independently. Please note: this route is self-guided and you are entirely at your own risk. We will provide you with all the necessary information for a successful hike, but we cannot be held responsible for any route errors or late morning starts that could cause problems reaching the next stage.
For obvious organizational reasons, once your hike has begun, you must strictly adhere to the program as confirmed to you. It will no longer be possible to change your accommodations or the order of the stages.
Program :
This program and the information provided are for guidance only; we usually adhere to them, however, circumstances beyond our control may necessitate changes to the order or itinerary (accommodation availability, weather, security, etc.). In such cases, we will take the necessary steps to ensure you enjoy your stay to the fullest and in the best possible conditions.
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in a 2* or 3* hotel in a double or twin room.
You will be accommodated in a 2* or 3* hotel in a double or twin room.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- 4 nights in a B&B hotel and lodge
- 2 nights with half board
- The digital travel journal
- luggage transport
- organization and booking fees
- Our assistance throughout your stay
The price does not include
- Dinners (except on days 3 and 4)
- Picnics
- travel insurance
Options
- Extra night in Colmar - Double room : CHF96.05 / person
- Extra night in Colmar - Twin room : CHF96.05 / person
- Additional night in Colmar - Single room : CHF132.65 / person
- Additional night in Turckheim in a double room : CHF96.05 / person
- Additional night in Turckheim in a twin room : CHF96.05 / person
- Hiking guide in "all-paper" format : CHF29.27 / unit
- Additional night in Turckheim in a single room : CHF132.65 / person
- Extra night in Colmar - Double room with dinner in a winstub : CHF123.50 / person
- Extra night in Colmar - Twin room with dinner in a winstub : CHF123.50 / person
- Extra night in Colmar - Single room with dinner in a winstub : CHF160.09 / person
- Supplement for solo departures (1 person only) : CHF182.96 / person
- Transport of one additional piece of luggage. Price per piece of luggage : CHF256.14 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Backpack of approximately 40L
- Sleeping bag sheet
- Picnic
- Airtight container for picnics
- Gourd
- Hiking shoes
- Lightweight shoes
- Telescopic poles
- Sunglasses
- Hat/cap
- Camera
- Toiletries
- Headlamp
- Picnic equipment
Clothing to bring
- Waterproof windproof jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Breathable walking clothes
- Change of clothes
- Swimsuit
- Towel
