Katzenthal combines a hike to Château du Wineck with wine tastings and the architectural history of Église Saint-Nicolas. There are different options to choose from when planning your visit: a circular hike with a stated distance and duration, and a puzzle trail through the lanes. You can also explore the keep and the cellars of two wine producers. This lets you choose activities according to your preferred focus, without combining them into a single tour.

Château du Wineck: Ruins, curtain wall and finds

Château du Wineck was built around 1200 by the Counts of Eguisheim-Dabo. The ruins and the outer curtain wall are protected as historic monuments. The château is surrounded by vineyards. Objects found during excavations are displayed in the keep. The ruins and curtain wall offer a glimpse into the site’s architectural history, while the finds add an archaeological aspect. Check seasonal access before your trip if you plan to visit.

Two routes with different focuses

The circular hiking route “Circuit rando - du Sommerberg au château du Wineck” starts at Katzenthal town hall. The circuit is listed as 6.5 kilometres, two hours and 321 metres of elevation gain; it is rated as suitable for everyone. As route details can change, check the information before setting out. The stated distance, duration and elevation gain help you plan how much time to allow for this hike.

The puzzle trail “Au fil de la vallée des chats” winds through Katzenthal’s narrow lanes and past Château du Wineck. The activities therefore have different focuses: the circular hike comes with stated distance and timing, while the puzzle trail takes you through the lanes and past the château. This lets you decide whether to focus on a circuit with specific details or on the village lanes and puzzle trail.

Church and protected heritage

Église Saint-Nicolas in Katzenthal was built in 1719 as an addition to an existing chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its bell tower dates from 1895. The church was largely destroyed as a result of the war and restored ten years later. Its history thus includes the addition to the older chapel, the later construction of the bell tower and the restoration after war damage.

The statue of Saint Nicholas is also a protected object: it was designated as such on 1 September 1978. Église Saint-Nicolas is listed as open to visitors Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check these hours before your visit.

Wine tastings in two cellars

Vins Stoecklé Jean-Luc et Michèle offers free cellar tours without an appointment, followed by a wine tasting. Visitor arrangements may change; check the details in advance if you plan to visit.

Vins Schmitt Pierre-Paul et fils offers a cellar tour followed by a full tasting of its own production. The two offers have different focuses: Stoecklé highlights the fact that the tour is free and does not require an appointment, while Schmitt highlights a full tasting of its own wines. Here too, it is advisable to check the visitor arrangements before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Le Bonhomme, Oberlarg, Brunstatt, Chavannes-Sur-L’étang, Wasserbourg, Mooslargue, Turckheim, Hagenthal-Le-Haut.

For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.