Ottrott: Wine Tradition, Castles and Hiking

The area of Ottrott covers 2,936 hectares, of which 2,500 hectares are forest. It is bordered to the south by Mont Ste Odile and to the north by the Ehn Valley. These landscape features provide a point of reference for the destination’s different themes. If you are looking for a hotel, deciding what matters most to you can help you choose: wine, heritage or hiking.

Wine and a walking tour

Ottrott’s vineyard covers 25 hectares, and Pinot Noir is the main grape variety. The local wine tradition is associated with Rouge d’Ottrott. Winemakers welcome visitors and introduce them to their products. As the availability of individual visits may vary, asking in advance can help with planning.

The Sentier Viticole offers another perspective on winegrowing: the circular route is about two kilometres long, and information panels explain the particular features of winegrowing as well as various stages of winemaking. It starts on Route de Barr, next to the washhouse. Check the starting point again locally before setting out. This lets you choose between a walk with information panels and a visit to winemakers.

Heritage in Ottrott and Klingenthal

The abbey on Mont Sainte-Odile is at an altitude of 753 metres and welcomes pilgrims and tourists. In Klingenthal, the Maison de la Manufacture has been housed in the former village school as a museum since 2007. Exhibits include reconstructed workshops, historical documents and photographs, tools, and an extensive collection of bladed weapons, body armour, scythes and sickles. The exhibition therefore brings together reconstructed workshops, historical documents and objects.

The Domaine du Windeck highlights another aspect of the area’s heritage: its park covers eleven hectares and is considered a museum of classified trees. The castles also shape the commune’s historic character. Rathsamhausen and Lutzelbourg were built at an altitude of 485 metres below Mont Sainte-Odile; the commune has a particularly high density of castles.

Hiking and practical information

The castles in the Massif du Mont Ste Odile are accessible via numerous hiking trails marked by the Club Vosgien; Altenkeller is the exception. A hike from Ottrott also offers a chance to discover the 10.5-kilometre-long Pagan Wall enclosure. The hike to Mont Sainte-Odile starts in Ottrott, in the car park behind the railway line. These details offer different points of reference for choosing a hike, without specifying its duration or difficulty.

Ottrott is served by a regular bus/tram line. Check the timetable before travelling and trail conditions before a hike. For the Sentier Viticole, the approximate length of the circular route is also provided, along with its starting point; for other hiking destinations, the starting points and access routes listed can serve as a guide.

Discover more destinations: Dettwiller, Mundolsheim, Blaesheim, Uhlwiller, Hœrdt, Artolsheim, Monswiller, Meistratzheim

For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.