France
Explore the natural beauty of the Alsace region
Some advice for your stay in Alsace and a first refreshing hike to Porte de Pierre near Lutzelhouse.
Where to stay in the Alsace region?
If you - like me - want to explore Strasbourg, the natural gems of the region and drive along the wineries that stretch from Strasbourg to Colmar, think of towns like Urmatt, Mutzig, Obernai or Mollkirch. We opted for a small town called Heiligenberg. We booked our stay through VRBO, a trustworthy alternative to Airbnb but with a lot of accomodations that you wouldn't find otherwise. Our holiday home is called "Chatelet Bertrand" and I can't recommend it enough: the cabinlike interior, the view on the hills, the sunny terrace outside..
Hike to Porte de Pierre
There are two ways to hike to the Porte de Pierre: the first option is from Lutzelhouse. It's 14 km round trip and offers some amazing views on the valley. The second option is from Gensbourg: a starting point already more up the hill. With 10 km round trip, this is the easier option with less ascending and descending. If you leave from Gensbourg, park your car near the Orangerie du Manoir and start your hike. It's essential to bring a map or have an offline map on your phone (e.g. Organic Maps) since there are no markings that lead you straight up to the stone sculpture. Enjoy the calm of the trees, the birds, the many insects and flowers you encounter on the road. Once arrived at Porte de Pierre, you can also choose to go the extra mile and head to Rocher de Mutzig for amazing views over the valley. Other nice hikes in the region: - Col du Donon - Rocher du Hohwalsch - Rocher du Neuntelstein
