Trail Name: Klevener de Heiligenstein

Trail Type: A short distance circuit; well-maintained and much of it paved or hard-pack, marking on the trail varies.

Length:

Total – 7.5 kilometers/ 4.7 miles

Convenient to: Barr, Alsace, France

Marking:

Varied, and none specific to the circuit

Trail Description: A delightful short trail, easily done, which covered vineyards and town, and gave distant views of the Black Forest in Germany and Alsatian landscapes near and far. As it was in a sheltered, and lower position, this itinerary presented no problems in the winter with snow or ice.

Trailhead:

Heiligenstein: Sports field, R. Principale/D35

Parking:

Heiligenstein on the north end of the main road, R. Principale/D35, on the north edge of town, by the Sports Field

Public Transportation Options:

Rail: SNCF Trains from Strasbourg service nearby Gertwiller. From that station, the southern-most point of the trail is about 1 kilometer distant. (The station in Barr is a bit further, but also larger.)

Suggested Stages:

Not applicable

Trail Itinerary-Reference Points: (Counterclockwise)

Heiligenstein: R. Principale/D35, R. (du) Kritt, R. des Chateaux; Truttenhausen: Kiosk and Hering Monument, Chemin du Moenkalb, past the Tilleul du  Moenkalb (a famous linden tree); R. du Weinberg; vineyards, than an unimproved path downhill to cross R. Principale/D35; pass north of Domaine Bachert; through vineyards and fields, @100 yds on Saint Simonsbrunnen, go right onto small paved path, follow to T intersection, cross R Ehret Wantz; dogleg left, then first right to follow the winding road for about 400 meters/1250 feet, then rightat the Y intersection; take second left to return to sports field on D35 (see Lookout Point by the Sports Field),

Representative Trail Photos:

Restrooms:

Heiligenstein: R. Principale, behind the Mairie

Attractions on or near Trail:

None wine-related, other than the wineries!

Tasting along the Trail:

A few wineries on or near the trail that specialize in this varietal, and then other as well nearby.

Alternative Options:

Biking: Klevener et Pain d’Epice, a 32 kilometer/ 20 mile cycling circuit in this region. See https://www.alsaceavelo.fr/403000071-bl214-klevener-et-pain-depices/

Car: Heiligenstein is one of dozens of villages on the Route des Vins D’Alsace, almost 180 kilometers of car-touring route focused on Alsatian wines and through Alsatian vineyards.

Additional Information:

Regional: https://www.visit.alsace/

Trail specific:

https://apps.tourisme-alsace.info/photos/cdcbarr/photos/213000384_d1.pdf

Comments:

A peaceful village, in one of the least travelled sections of the Route des Vins d’Alsace, cultivating a varietal that is unique in France.