Westhalten: Dry Grasslands, Winegrowing and Trails

Westhalten offers a distinctive landscape where winegrowing, marked trails and traces of history come together. The Collines sous-vosgiennes protected area, the municipality’s wine designations and several circular trails offer different ways to explore during your stay. You can also take wine tastings and guided cellar tours into account when planning your trip.

Landscape and protected area

The southern sector of the Collines sous-vosgiennes protected area includes the dry grasslands of Bollenberg, Strangenberg and Zinnkoepflé. It extends across six municipalities, including Westhalten. The protected area covers a total of 472 hectares and is designated under the Habitats Directive. The Haut-Rhin winegrowing foothill zone has warm, dry conditions, and its flora and fauna resemble those of Mediterranean habitats.

If you are planning conservation or protection measures, first check the latest official information on the area’s boundaries and designation. This will help you take the protected area’s boundaries into account in your plans.

Winegrowing and tastings

The Vallée Noble municipal wine designation in Westhalten includes the AOC Alsace Grand cru Zinnkoepflé. The eastern part of the municipality lies within the Côte de Rouffach designation, which includes the AOC Alsace Grand cru Vorbourg. The two designations therefore differ in their geographical scope: Vallée Noble is associated with Zinnkoepflé, while Vorbourg belongs to the designation covering the eastern part of the municipality. Appellation rules may be updated.

Domaine Schlegel Boeglin in Westhalten offers wine tastings at the estate. Groups can book a 1.5-hour guided cellar tour with a wine tasting for six to 40 people. It is offered in French, German or English, and advance booking is required. Check with the estate in advance about dates and booking arrangements, as these may change.

Marked trails and their durations

The marked Circuit des Croix de Chemin starts at Place de la Mairie in Westhalten. It is 3.4 kilometres long and takes about two hours to walk. The marked Vignoble et Collines Sèches circular trail from Westhalten includes a 5.1-kilometre loop around Strangenberg, for which a walking time of about one hour and 40 minutes is given. The Grande Promenade Mystique is 15.1 kilometres long, can be started at Place de la Mairie and has an estimated walking time of five hours. Check the trail details locally before setting out.

Nature and views along the way

The two Vignoble et Collines Sèches walking trails cross a remarkable natural area. Several orchid species, bloody cranesbills, wild tulips, grape hyacinths, hoopoes and European green lizards are identified as characteristic natural features. Which flowers and animals you see depends on the season; sightings are not guaranteed.

The Circuit des Croix de Chemin passes through a winegrowing valley. Looking south, Westhalten is in the foreground, with the Grand Ballon visible in the background. The landscape and trail route thus combine views of the village with the winegrowing area through which the circuit runs.

Local history along the way

The present-day Eglise Saint-Blaise in Westhalten was built between 1836 and 1841. Its layout includes a central nave, side aisles and a bell tower with a porch and four bells. Details of its construction date and layout add a historical perspective alongside the village’s nature and winegrowing themes.

The Circuit des Croix de Chemin also passes historical sites: at least 25 wayside crosses have been recorded within the municipality. At Place de la Mairie, it passes the Stockbrunnen, a Marian fountain dating from 1811. The trail also points out a former prison dating from 1767, with an iron-clad door and peephole, as well as a 16th-century fountain. These sites vary in age and function, giving the circuit a clear local-history focus in addition to its length.

Discover more destinations: Franken, Grentzingen, Mooslargue, Ensisheim, Ostheim, Hirtzbach, Levoncourt, Lucelle.

For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.