Would you like to stay in a campsite surrounded by nature in Alsace? I spent a weekend at Camping Huttopia Wattwiller, in southern Alsace, and share my experience and opinion with you in this blog post.
My summary
I liked
- Calm and soothing atmosphere
- Campsite location in the forest
- Pitches bathed in greenery
- A variety of accommodation available
- A variety of activities
I liked less
- The miller’s ladder 😛
Video summary
A campsite in the heart of nature
The Wattwiller campsite is a Huttopia campsite. Huttopia is renowned for its very “nature” campsites, and that’s what struck me right away when I arrived. The location of the campsite, on the heights of Wattwiller, in the forest of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, is already superb, but I was also pleasantly surprised by the layout of the campsite itself.
You’re really immersed in the greenery, both in the paths and between the pitches and accommodation. Arriving on a Friday evening after a busy week, it was as if my body had suddenly relaxed into this soothing environment… How good it feels!
Accommodation and pitches at Camping Huttopia Wattwiller
Campers, vans, tents, chalets, huts or trailers
The choice is yours if you want to stay at the Huttopia campsite in Wattwiller. You can book a pitch for a van, caravan, camper van or tent (with or without electricity, for 6 people, with access to sanitary facilities), or opt for one of the accommodation options.
Your choice:
- canvas and wood tents with different levels of comfort for 5 people
- wooden chalets for 4 to 6 people (including one specially adapted for people with reduced mobility)
- mobile homes for 5 people
- trailers for 4 people
My weekend in a hut – Reviews
I tested a cahutte, a cool two-storey accommodation made of wood and canvas, with a surface area of 30m2 and electricity. On the first floor, it’s like a small chalet, with a living area featuring a wood-burning stove, a kitchenette with two gas rings, a sink, a fridge (and crockery), and a bathroom area with toilet and shower (no sink, we use the sink in the main room).
A miller’s ladder takes us upstairs. Up there, it’s like a big tent, only more comfortable! We have canvas over our heads, but a floor and thick mattresses in the two bed areas separated by a canvas partition (one with a double bed, the other with three single beds). Blankets are provided and you can also take the option of sheets and towels. I slept really well!
Outside, there’s a covered terrace with a table and benches, plus two comfortable camping chairs. Perfect for eating outside, but also for lounging with a book (of course, I tested both options!). The terrace is particularly pleasant , as it looks out exclusively onto greenery. Neighbors are not far away, but then again, vegetation separates the pitches, so you don’t really feel like you’re on top of each other.
The whole place is functional and cute, and I really enjoyed spending the weekend here! Just beware of the miller’s ladder (it’s really steep, so if you’re used to getting up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet, it won’t be ideal!)
I’d recommend choosing the cahutte when the weather’s mild , as one of its greatest assets is the outdoors. The interior is pleasant too, and the atmosphere of the cahutte is very pleasant (especially when you make a little fire!). Yes, we also tested it for pleasure), but there’s no sofa where you can settle down comfortably for a morning’s reading, for example.
Services and leisure
Common areas
The Huttopia Wattwiller campsite has a large common room with tables, large sofas and a beautiful fireplace, as well as board games and books.
This living space connects with the café area, which serves drinks, snacks and homemade pizzas in the evenings (in summer and on weekends in June and September). You can choose to sit inside or on the terrace. A small grocery store is also available at reception. Don’t expect to do your shopping there – it’s very small, but there are the basics and it can help out. For breakfast, you can also order bread, which is delivered every morning from the village bakery.
Things to do in the campsite
The Huttopia Wattwiller campsite has two swimming pools: one heated indoors and one outdoors (particularly beautiful I think), so you can enjoy it whatever the weather.
There’s also a large playground, as well as tennis, padel, petanque, table tennis and table soccer. Bikes are also available for hire.
During the summer school vacations, many activities are also organized (donkey and pony rides, children’s treasure hunts, yoga, survival courses (!!), festive evenings…). Outside these periods, it’s quieter, but you can ask in advance for the program to suit your dates.
Things to do around the campsite
The location of the Huttopia Wattwiller campsite is clearly a big plus , as there’s a great variety of things to do. Here are a few ideas, with links to other blog posts to find out more (yes, it’s a corner of Alsace we like on the blog!).
Hiking in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park
If you fancy a hike, you can simply park your car and leave it at home, as the hiking trails are directly accessible: just what you need! There are a huge number of hiking trails in the area, and plenty of great walks to be had: we’re in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, and the area is superb.
Directly from the campsite, I took a lovely hike to see the Rocher du Hirzenstein and the Siehbaechle waterfall.
I also recommend climbing the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges Massif. Here, for example, is a superb, challenging hike from Guebwiller to get there (but there are plenty of easier options too, including driving up and continuing on the Route des Crêtes).
Bike
If you like cycling, this is the place for you! You can take a challenging bike tour up to the ridges, or opt for a more leisurely, scenic ride.
Here are a few ideas:
- A cycling tour around Guebwiller, between vineyards and forests
- A cycling loop in the Thur and Doller valleys
- A longer cycling route in the Thur Valley
A visit to an inescapable place of remembrance
The Hartmannswillerkopf(Vieil-Armand), an important place of remembrance from the First World War, is just around the corner.
Gourmet meal in a farmhouse inn
On the gourmet side, it’s also an opportunity to enjoy a meal in a farmhouse inn (to be done at the end of the hike, otherwise you won’t be able to set off again, I warn you!). The nearby Molkenrain farmhouse inn is one of our favorite farmhouse inns.
Wellness break
If you fancy a little pampering, one of Alsace’s finest spas is just around the corner! The Domaine du Hirtz and its Nordic spa await you for a wellness break.
Wine Route
Yes, the famous Alsace wine route is also nearby! It’s the perfect opportunity to discover its pretty villages and visit winegrowers (in moderation, of course).
Access by car
The address is as follows: Route des Crêtes, 68700 Wattwiller. You have to count:
- 27km from Mulhouse (about 30 minutes)
- 37km from Colmar (about 35 minutes)
- 115 km from Strasbourg (approx. 1h25 minutes)
Public transport access
It’s not the easiest way, but it can be done! From Mulhouse SNCF station, you can take the tram-train to Cernay, then a bus to Wattwiller. From there, it’s just a short 2km walk to the campsite, located in the hills above Wattwiller. Calculate your route here.
This article was written as part of a paid commercial collaboration with Huttopia. I have freedom to write.