Mondhalde Kaiserstuhl

Car park from Kiechlinsbergen towards Oberbergen, at the top of the Texaspass: park on the east side of the road. If there’s no space, try the car park on the west side.

(S/E) Take the Katharinapfad path westwards, climb the steps and continue across the meadow.

(1) At the junction, turn left towards Bassgeigenhütte and head for the car park serving the hiking chalet: ‘bassgeige’ means double bass, referring to the shape of the Oberbergen vineyard as seen from the air.

(2) Walk past the chalet and climb the steps to rejoin the path. Continue straight on to reach the Mondhalde Pavilion. On a clear day, there are views over the Alsace plain, the Kaiserstuhl vineyards and, with a bit of luck, as far as the Alps.

(3) Follow the road to the Roman column marking the start of the wine trail. Go down the steps and continue along the path to rejoin the road.

(4) Follow the road, turning right: there are several information boards in three languages along the wine trail. You’ll come to a junction.

(5) Turn left onto the Panoramaweg, which winds its way along the edge of Oberrotweil.

(6) Carry on to the left towards Oberbergen and walk through the village, keeping in the same direction. Follow the signs for Schellingen, which are clearly marked. Walk past the last houses in the village and continue for about a hundred metres.

(7) Turn left to head up through the Schellinger Vieweide pasture. If this seems too long, you can head up a few metres earlier towards Kiechlinsbergen Eck without going via the Vieweide; this shortens the distance by about 800 metres.

(8) The pasture is home to nandus (a type of emu), Highland cattle and goats, but these animals are not always out and about. Climb until you reach the junction with the Katharinapfad.

(9) Turn left.

(10) Go round the Staffelberg on the left, then head straight on to return to the car park (S/E).

Avoid in very hot weather.