Route around the Sommerberg from Katzenthal

If you enjoy panoramic views from the hillsides of Alsace, on a wide path overlooking Colmar and its surroundings, you will love this hike.

Details

12895849
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 160 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 160 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 422 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 262 m

Photos

Description of the walk

If you are coming from Colmar, park in the car park near the Saint-Nicolas church in Katzenthal.

(S/E) Walk up Grand Rue for 100 metres, then, at the fountain, leave it on your right and take Rue des Trois Épis. Continue uphill until you reach thefirst street on your left. There, a sign will point you in the direction of Turckheim. Turn onto this street.

(1) At the crossroads, take the wide path on your right through the woods, ignoring a path on the left and another on the right, and climb up to the Sommerberg ridge path with its cross, after a right-hand bend.

(2) Take the time to admire the panoramic view. Continue westwards on a slight incline.

(3) After a few hundred metres, you will see an aerial view of Niedermorschwir on your left. Continue along the path, which begins to descend, running alongside the vineyards.

(4) The path, which is paved in places for the convenience of winegrowers, becomes steeper and takes a 180° turn. Continue eastwards.

(5) At the second hairpin bend, continue straight ahead on the path back along the balcony above Niedermorschwir. The path winds through the vineyards and reaches a new crossroads.

(6) Continue left towards the north until you reach a wide left-hand bend.

(7) The descent continues with a beautiful view of Katzenthal dominated by the Château du Wineck. You will return to the crossroads you encountered on the way there.

(1) Take the same path as on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 262 m - Car park at the foot of Saint-Nicolas Church
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 306 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.36 - alt. 378 m - Summit and viewpoint - Cross
  4. 3 : km 1.94 - alt. 389 m - Panoramic view of Niedermorschwir
  5. 4 : km 2.9 - alt. 408 m - Steep descent before a 180° bend
  6. 5 : km 3.58 - alt. 362 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.13 - alt. 324 m - Crossroads
  8. 7 : km 5.58 - alt. 314 m - Bend - Panorama of Katzenthal
  9. S/E : km 6.54 - alt. 262 m - Car park

Notes

Good trainers are sufficient.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 23803265

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy to walk, but foggy day, a shame for the view.

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User 26764661

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice, easy hike that is not too difficult, recommended for beginner walkers.

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JDL Colmar
JDL Colmar

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A pleasant walk with views of Katzenthal, Wineck Castle and Niedermorschwihr.

However, avoid this walk in hot weather... Very few shaded areas!

@visorandonneur

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Lili2Truch
Lili2Truch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I only used the map route. It's a very pleasant balcony tour through the vineyards on roads and wide paths. Suitable for young children.

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely spring walk, quite busy, but that's to be expected on a Sunday.

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Phil67240
Phil67240

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy route to get back into shape. Beautiful scenery. Can even be done by bicycle without any problems. Allow less than 2 hours at a leisurely walking pace

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Geneviève NOLL
Geneviève NOLL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It was a superb hike, not particularly difficult but with truly magnificent scenery!

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yoyo 68320
yoyo 68320

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb little walk, easy and peaceful.

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fifitintin88
fifitintin88

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and enjoyable walk. Beautiful scenery to discover through the vineyards.

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CMINA
CMINA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Tour completed on 6 March. At this time of year, the route, which mainly passes through vineyards, is very pleasant and offers magnificent panoramic views.

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Well spotted
Title corrected.

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virgule
virgule

Please note, there is an error in the title.

It is Katzenthal.

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Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views. Remember to cover up well in fine weather as it is mostly sunny. We couldn't find the OUIOUI restaurant or the rural hamlet......

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jabloma
jabloma

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short, sunny hike with beautiful views, but one I would not recommend in summer when it is hot. We also modified it slightly after a while, heading into the forest on the way to Turckheim, then turning off to return to Katzenthal via Wineck Castle. In total, it's a bit steeper and two kilometres longer, but there's more shade.

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Jykoz
Jykoz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

South-facing route, so very sunny and warm in the afternoon
A slightly difficult start finding the right path, but it all comes together at La Croix
Beautiful views of the plain and nearby villages
Duration: 1½ hours of brisk walking with regular water stops

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