Wickerschwihr: Walking Trails, Nature and History

Wickerschwihr offers several different points of interest for planning a trip: a named walking trail, a network of nature and cycling routes, wetlands and historic buildings. The Sentier de la Grenouille has a specified length, walking time and starting point. The meadows of Ried Brun offer a different focus; local history and recurring events add cultural interests to the mix. You can therefore consider trails, nature and history as separate interests for your stay.

Walking Trails and Nature

The Sentier de la Grenouille is an easy, family-friendly walking trail along the Lissgraben. It is about 2.3 kilometres long and takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes on foot. The distance and walking time provide two different points of reference for planning: you can take both the length of the route and the time required into account. The trail starts on the RD45 Route de Riedwihr, opposite the fishing pond.

In addition to this individual walking trail, Wickerschwihr has a network of nature paths and cycling routes. The routes pass through the village centre, the surrounding countryside and neighbouring municipalities. If you are looking for a set walking time, you can use the Sentier de la Grenouille as a guide; if you want to include cycling routes or paths to neighbouring municipalities, you can consider the wider network. The planning options therefore vary by route and mode of transport.

The wetlands and meadows of Ried Brun around Wickerschwihr invite visitors to observe insects, reeds and wild orchids. Here, the focus is not on the length of the route, but on taking in these natural features. A zone designated as a Natura 2000 site lies along the Canal de Colmar and the Lissgraben.

Traditional crops such as potatoes and cabbage are also still cultivated around Wickerschwihr. This adds an agricultural aspect to the natural landscape: these crops, too, are part of the surrounding area, alongside its wetlands and meadows.

History and Events

The site of Wickerschwihr was inhabited during the Hallstatt period, between 750 and 450 BC. Wickerschwihr was first mentioned in 728 and belonged to the territory of Holtzwihr until 1837. The present-day Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur was built in 1861 and 1862 and elevated to parish church status in 1865. After being damaged during the Second World War, it was partially rebuilt in 1956. These dates mark different milestones: early settlement, first mention, construction, parish status and later reconstruction.

Several bunkers from the Second World War remain along the road between Wickerschwihr and Riedwihr. They bear witness to the strategic importance of the Colmar Pocket. Wickerschwihr also has several attractive half-timbered farmhouses. The bunkers thus add a military-historical aspect alongside the village’s buildings and ecclesiastical history.

A municipal introduction dated 21 April 2023 lists a traditional flea market and a Christmas concert at Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur as recurring events. The concert links the events calendar with the history of the church building. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Zimmerbach, Freland, Lutterbach, Mittlach, Wittenheim, Riquewihr, Eschbach-Au-Val, Wegscheid.

Back to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.