Discover Wettolsheim: Vineyards, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Wettolsheim combines trails through vineyards and forest with notable cultural landmarks. For a stay, you can choose from a range of interests: an easy, clearly measured forest trail, mountain biking routes with a starting point in the town, or buildings and religious heritage with specific historical connections. Their length, landscape and history distinguish these destinations and can help you plan your trip around your interests.

Hiking Trails and Mountain Biking Routes

The Sentier Herzog is an easy 2.8-kilometre forest trail. It leads from the Châtelet du Hagueneck to the former boating pond of the Herzog family. Its length, difficulty and destination make it a clearly defined hiking option. The name of the endpoint refers to the pond’s former connection with the Herzog family.

Several mountain biking routes run by the Syndicat Forestier du Massif des Châteaux have one of their starting points at Salle La Vigneraie in Wettolsheim. This means the short forest trail and several mountain biking routes are distinct options. If you plan to ride a mountain bike, check the latest trail and signage information in advance, as it may be revised.

Vineyards and Hikes

The Balade Gourmande de Wettolsheim is an approximately 9-kilometre hike through vineyards and forest around the Châtelet du Hagueneck. It is considerably longer than the Sentier Herzog and takes place every year in May. If you would like to plan your trip around this hike, check the dates for your chosen year. This makes it easy to choose between a shorter forest route and a longer tour held annually in May.

Another connection with winegrowing is the Grand Cru Steingrubler, west of the municipality. It faces south or southeast. While the Balade Gourmande describes a hike through vineyards and forest, Steingrubler is a specifically named Grand Cru with a particular geographical location and aspect.

Buildings and Religious Heritage

The listed Châtelet du Hagueneck was built towards the end of the 11th century on a rocky spur in a valley above Wettolsheim. Its location connects the building with the landscape above the town. The keep is accessible to visitors on foot; check local access conditions before your visit.

In the town centre is the Grotte de Lourdes, a life-size replica of the Grotte de Massabielle in Lourdes, built in 1912. A 2020 tourism description identifies it as the site of numerous religious ceremonies; local dates may vary. The Châtelet has a building history dating back to the late 11th century, while the grotto is associated with a precisely dated year of construction and its continuing ceremonial use.

The parish church of Saint-Rémy also houses a pair of reliquaries of Saint Fridolin and Saint Gertrude. They were probably made around 1909 by Volfrom, a manufacturer of religious ornaments in Nancy. Their approximate dating and attribution to a named maker give the objects their own historical significance. Together with the Châtelet and the grotto, they show that Wettolsheim’s cultural heritage comprises very different buildings and objects.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Franken, Soultzeren, Gundolsheim, Habsheim, Burnhaupt-Le-Haut, Guémar, Fellering, Lièpvre.

Back to the main travel overview: Haut-Rhin.