The best cycling routes around Wattwiller

Nice place to have a drink and enjoy.

Thann's sloping vineyards are famous for their south-facing orientation with slopes that can reach 45°, offering spectacular and dizzying landscapes. These hillsides, located between 350 and 450 meters above sea level, extend over an area of 22 hectares and are renowned for their volcanic terroir and their proximity to the Thur River, which provides the humidity necessary for the grapes to ripen. Among the grape varieties cultivated are Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Muscat, all grown in often rocky and well-exposed soil, which gives the wines great finesse. Viticulture on these steep terrains requires harvests that are often carried out with ropes to ensure safety on these very steep slopes. These vineyards, particularly the Grand Cru Rangen, are among the most emblematic of the region.

The Col de Herrenfluh is located at an altitude of 837 metres in the Vosges, between Uffholtz and Wattwiller. The summit is located along the Route des Crêtes and offers magnificent views over the Rhine Valley and the surrounding forests. Nearby are the ruins of the Château du Herrenfluh, which was once an observation post during the First World War (but difficult to reach for a cyclist).

The Château du Herrenfluh is a medieval ruin at an altitude of 858 metres. It was built in 1312 by Johan von Sankt Amarin, nicknamed Nordwind, and served as a lookout post for the princes-abbatons of Murbach. Due to its strategic location, the castle offered a panoramic view over Alsace, all the way to the foothills of the Jura. In 1376, it was captured by English mercenaries and later, in 1468, destroyed by the Swiss. During the First World War, the site was again used as a French observation post. Today, some ruins are still visible, and volunteers are working to preserve the remains. It is an interesting historical site along the Route des Crêtes.

At Hartmannswillerkopf, the victims of the First World War are commemorated!

On the Col du Silberloch, just below the summit of Vieil Armand (Hartmannswillerkopf), you will find an impressive viewpoint with a panoramic view of the Rhine plain and the Alsatian hills. In addition to the natural setting, this is also a place of deep historical significance: here lies the crypt and the national monument in memory of the fierce battles of WWI. A place where athletic exertion and historical reflection come together, ideal as a resting point or final destination of your climb via the Col Amic.

Vieil Armand, also known as Hartmannswillerkopf, is a striking mountain peak in the southern Vosges, near the Col Amic. This place is not only popular with cyclists because of the challenging climb and the panoramic view of the Rhine plain, but also an important historical monument. During the First World War, fierce fighting took place here between French and German troops, resulting in a static trench warfare. Today, the area is a national memorial with a crypt, military cemetery and well-preserved trenches. The climb to Vieil Armand via the Col Amic is not only sportingly rewarding, but also impressive because of the historical significance of the landscape.

The climb of the Col Amic from Soultz-Haut-Rhin is a beautiful and accessible climb in the Vosges, ideal for cyclists who love regularity and nature. The climb is 12.1 km long, bridges 559 meters of altitude and has an average gradient of 4.6%. The route winds through a quiet, wooded area and offers beautiful views of the Alsatian plain along the way. The summit is at 829 meters and forms a junction towards the Grand Ballon or the Hartmannswillerkopf massif. Thanks to its even profile, this climb is suitable for both recreational cyclists and athletic climbers.