About 20 miles from Stuttgart, Germany, a real treat awaits wine-loving hikers: the Felsengarten Kellerei circuits. Therefore, the next two posts will cover two circuits of this small but highly accessible wine country.

 

Hessigheim is home to the Felsengartenkellerei (FGK). As wineries go, it has all the usual public attractions:  a large selection of their red and white wines; food products made with wine, such as jellies and jams; and wine-serving paraphernalia. They also offer group tasting events, thematic tastings and culinary events. For me though, their collection of wine-themed hikes through the surrounding vineyards and villages is the best offering.

In a brilliant marketing tour-de-force, the winery has developed and laid out 8 day circuits, 1 overnight circuit, and 2 bike circuits. They cover some of the vineyards of the Wuerttembergisch Unterland wine region, and center around Hessigheim or Besigheim. Free, German-language, brochures, available at the FGK, describe and map the trails. These relatively easy hikes range from 4 kilometers to 40 kilometers, (the “Marathon”), and the hiking circuits intersect in places, making it possible to extend (or shorten) your hike. Thus some of them are ideal for families with young children, or people with mobility issues as some circuits are mostly asphalted, and all pass through a small town or village: Hessigheim, Besigheim, and Klein- and Gross- Ingersheim.

However, these communities offer varying degrees of support for hikers, so bring plenty of water and snacks if hiking a circuit not passing through Besigheim. As the largest town, and one oriented toward tourism, maps and information brochures, public restrooms, parking lots, train connections, and a variety of eateries are available in Besigheim throughout much of the day, every day. The well-organized tourism office in the historic Rathaus provides town and area information for free, and freely distributes it to hotels and restaurants.

The historic upper town is very picturesque. The pedestrian zone cuts through the old center, from one gate tower to another, passing half-timbered houses, decorated with bright flowers cascading from window boxes from spring to fall. Scenic views of the Neckar and Enz Rivers and the vineyards are possible from many vantage points atop the old town walls. Information boards in German, English and French posted around the town identify the historic buildings and sites. So between the hiking and wine tasting, take an hour or so to visit the town.

For an easy day excursion from Stuttgart, the FGK offerings in this area are just the treat!