Westhalten: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Hiking and Trails

The signposted Circuit des Croix de Chemin begins at the Place de la Mairie in Westhalten. The route is 3.4 km long and takes around two hours to walk. Also starting in Westhalten, the signposted Vignoble et Collines Sèches circular trail leads onto a 5.1 km loop around the Strangenberg; the walking time is stated as approximately one hour and 40 minutes. The signposted Grande Promenade Mystique can begin at the Place de la Mairie in Westhalten, is 15.1 km long and takes around five hours to walk.

Renting a holiday apartment is one option for a stay in Westhalten.

Nature and Landscape

The southern sector of the Collines sous-vosgiennes protected area encompasses the dry grasslands of Bollenberg, Strangenberg and Zinnkoepflé and extends across six municipalities, including Westhalten. The Collines sous-vosgiennes protected area covers 472 hectares and is designated under the Habitats Directive.

The Collines sous-vosgiennes area lies in the foothill wine-growing zone of Haut-Rhin, with warm and dry conditions; its flora and fauna resemble Mediterranean habitats. The two Vignoble et Collines Sèches walking trails cross a remarkable natural area featuring several orchid species, bloody cranesbills, wild tulips, grape hyacinths, hoopoes and green lizards.

The Circuit des Croix de Chemin passes through a wine-growing valley. Looking south, Westhalten can be seen in the foreground and the Grand Ballon in the background.

Wine and Terroir

Domaine Schlegel Boeglin in Westhalten offers wine tastings at the estate. Groups can also book a 1.5-hour guided cellar tour with wine tasting for 6 to 40 people, available in French, German or English.

The municipal wine designation Vallée Noble in Westhalten includes the AOC Alsace Grand cru Zinnkoepflé. The eastern part of the municipality of Westhalten belongs to the Côte de Rouffach designation, which includes the AOC Alsace Grand cru Vorbourg.

Vins Clos Sainte-Apolline – Domaine du Bollenberg offers guided tours for individuals and groups by prior arrangement. The Clos Sainte-Apolline wine from Bollenberg partly benefits from Bollenberg’s limestone soil and a Mediterranean-influenced microclimate.

The Strangenberg terroir lies west of Rouffach, dominates the Rhine plain and benefits from strong sunlight.

Culture

Today’s Eglise Saint-Blaise in Westhalten was built between 1836 and 1841, with a nave, side aisles and a bell tower with a porch and four bells.

Within the municipality of Westhalten, the Circuit des Croix de Chemin passes at least 25 roadside crosses. At the Place de la Mairie, it passes the Stockbrunnen, a Marian fountain dating from 1811. The circular trail also points out a former prison dating from 1767, with an iron-clad door and a peephole, as well as a fountain dating from the 16th century.

More local pages: Dessenheim, Battenheim, Morschwiller-Le-Bas, Geishouse, Freland, Herrlisheim-près-Colmar, Oberlarg, Oderen.

To the higher-level travel overview: Haut-Rhin.