After completing the Felsengartenkellerei (FGK) Riesling Wanderweg, I felt compelled to even out the experience by completing an FGK red wine-themed trail, and a red wine tasting. Because the red routes are shorter than the Riesling trail, I decided to combine the Burgunder and the Trollinger trails, two of several red wine-themed trails that the FGK offers. (The others include the delectably-named Ruhlaenderweg, the Lembergerweg, the Samtrotweg, and the Dornfelderweg.)

 

Choosing a trail can invite options. In this case, the choice was easy as the Burgunderweg offered marvelous views of the Neckar River along much of the way, from a ridgeline above the cliffs that was often high enough to see over the surrounding hills as well. It was a treat on this clear, mild winter day, to follow the ridgelines ever higher, and be rewarded with views of further reaches of Wuerttemberg with each step upward.

 

The Trollingerweg, though, was the real attraction. After leading downhill, it went through the historic center of Besigheim. This is one of my favorite towns in the greater Stuttgart area because of its dramatic appearance, perched as it is high above two rivers, surrounded by old walls, with narrow streets and half-timbered structures. It also has history: ties to the Empire predating even Barbarossa. Historical markers in English and French, as well as German, are throughout the old town, especially by the old gate into the upper town.

 

 

Many picturesque corners of town offered photo opportunities, and the views from the old city walls of the Neckar and Enz Rivers were impressive. Lunch followed the walk through old town. (There are several inviting-looking restaurants along the route.) Then the trail went downhill to the Neckar. In this flat area, the river flows past quietly, waterfowl ride the current, barges ply up- and downriver. The trail follows this idyllic river scene for a couple kilometers, as it heads back toward the Felsengartenkellerei. As the trail closes in on the FGK, there are plenty of opportunities to photograph the vineyards of this area, and the Felsengarten cliffs towering above them.

 

The trail ended with tasting some of the delicious FGK reds, the best possible ending to a day on these trails.