Trail Name: Turckheim et Le Brand
Trail Type: Short distance circuit; almost exclusively paved or hard packed surface, well maintained, but the route itself is not specifically marked for this trail.
Length: Total: @5 kilometers/ 3 miles
Convenient to: Colmar, France
Marking:
Turckheim to Niedermorschwihr: Blue X
Niedermorschwihr to Turckheim: Yellow triangle
Trail Description:
A short circuit up into the hills above Turckheim and Niedermorschwihr, passing through charming streets, forest and vineyards, reaching the top of a ridge with amazing vistas. Along the way, there are lots of places to sit, eat or drink, and several explanation boards. It is an easy trail overall, with some inclines in a couple of places, but not very long.
Trailhead: Porte de France, Turckheim
Parking:
Turckheim: Place de la Republique, one large lot
Niedermorschwihr: R. de Turckheim, as it enters the village by Place Vosegia, two small lots
Public Transportation Options:
Bus: Trace, the name of the network that connects greater Colmar, includes Turckheim. Check the website.
Rail: SNCF serves Turckheim from Colmar, on its regional TER line. Check the website.
Suggested Stages: Not applicable
Trail Itinerary-Reference Points:
Turckheim: Porte de France, left onto Grand’Rue, Porte de Munster, Turenne Monument, (start of blue X), Cave de Turckheim Cooperative, Forest, St Wendelin chapel, vineyards; Niedermorschwihr: R. de St Wendelin-R. de l’Eglise, (by church), Rue des Trois Epis, R. des Bruyeres, (start of yellow triangle), vineyards, Porte du Brand, Rue des Vignerons, Porte de Munster.
Representative Trail Photos:
Restrooms: Hotel de Ville, Place de l’Eglise OR Parking lot, Place de la Republique, Turckheim
Attractions on or near Trail: Photo opportunities everywhere
Tasting along the Trail:
Many, many independent vintners along the way
Cave de Turckheim Cooperative
Alternative Options:
Hiking: Sentier du Dragon (Sentier Viticole), a very short wine-education trail (about 2.5 kilometers) meandering through the area of Grand Cru Brand vines, marked by a green dragon sign
Biking: Entre Vins et Fromages, is a 26-kilometer biking route (over a third on trafficked roadway) that heads up, then back down, the Munster Valley.
Additional Information:
Regional: http://www.turckheim.com/
Trail (segment) specific: http://www.alsace-balades.bseditions.fr/fiche_du_circuit_de_randonnee.php?pCircuitId=85&pCircuitLib=TURCKHEIM+ET+LE+BRAND
Comments:
A wonderful short circuit