Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Strasbourg

Arrive in Strasbourg at the time of your choice. This multilingual city, home to the European Parliament, will no doubt seduce you with its charm, sincerity, and flavour. Your hotel is located in the Petite France - - the historic town centre surrounded by water - - and will allow you the perfect opportunity for strolling through the narrow cobbled streets and exploring the beauty of this European capital. With its 430 kilometer-network of bicycle paths, Strasbourg is a city built for bikes and respect for cyclists is not just a mere slogan here!  

Day 2: Option A+: Strasbourg to Osthouse (approx. 25 km or 16 miles) or Option A: Strasbourg to Selestat (approx. 54 km or 33 miles)

Following the “Rhone to Rhine Canal” on a traffic-free bikeway, you will leave Strasbourg behind and head toward your destination for the day. The bikeway will take you all to way to Sand in the heart of the “Alsatian Ried,” referring to the humid area that borders the Rhone. Rich in fauna and flora, part of the “Ried” has been turned into a nature reserve. 

Day 3: Option A+: Osthouse to Colmar (approx. 73 km or train to Selestat + 38 km / 45 miles or train to Selestat + 23 miles*) or Option A: Selestat to Colmar (approx. 38 km or 23 miles)

Today’s ride takes you through some typical Alsatian villages, filled with beautiful houses showing off their distinctive architecture and clothed with colorful flowers. One of the many villages worth stopping in is Ebermunster, where you’ll discover a “German-baroque” church considered by many to be the best example of this style. Your destination is Colmar, one of the nicest towns we’ve been to! Colmar is so lovingly pretty that you may want to add a day or two here and make the most of it this Alsatian jewel.

*The train station is located in Erstein, less than 5 km(3 miles) from your hotel in Osthouse.

Day 4: Option A+: Colmar to Murbach - Two options:  40 or 33 km (25 or 20 miles)

The bicycle path will take you through the “Rhine and Ill” forest to the wine-growing region where beauty will overwhelm you! The first town on this tour is pretty Guebwiller, an ideal place to enjoy a quick lunch or to buy your picnic supplies—beautiful picnic spots are a bit further up. Guebwiller is also home to an open-air wine museum. Your final destination is Murbach, a small city located on the Wine Route, with an abbey that is definitely worth visiting. 

Option A: Colmar to Ottmarsheim (approx. 50 km or 31 miles)

The Option A itinerary is not dramatically different… It involves a few extra pedal strokes—on flat terrain--as Ottmarsheim, your day’s destination is further south.  As a reward, you’ll have the opportunity to visit its impressive church dating back to the 10th century, believed to be the oldest in Alsace.  It is a “copy” of Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle)

Day 5: Option A+: Murbach to Riquewihr or Ribeauvillé – Two options:  49 or 53 km (30 or 33 miles)

Although today’s ride is short, we recommend an early start if you want to see it all! The pretty villages of Eguisheim, Turckheim, and Kaysersberg are on your way and all three are worth a stop. Lock your bike and walk around……you’re bound to find a terrace to linger in and what’s better than sipping a bit of Riesling while admiring the bountiful beauty all around?! 

Option A: Ottmarsheim – Guebwiller - approx. 36 Km (22 miles)

Leaving the flat area by the Rhine river, you’ll head inland to the rolling hills of the wine-making area and its pretty villages such as Murbach and its Abbey founded in the 8th century.  Your final destination, Guebwiller is located a bit further, in the foothills of the Vosges’ tallest mountain, “Le Grand Ballon.”  An early arrival will allow you to visit and discover its rich architectural heritage.

Day 6: Option A+: Rest day in Riquewihr

Of all the villages you’ll see on this ride, Riquewihr is tops!  Like Eguisheim from the day before, Riquewihr has been deemed so beautiful that it is now “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France,” one of France’s prettiest villages. It is so beautiful that you may actually wonder if it’s real, or if perhaps you haven’t stepped into a movie set! You’ll have the whole day to enjoy it unless you choose to relax by the pool at your hotel.

Option A: Guebwiller to Riquewihr or Kaysersberg (approx. 45 km or 27 miles)

Our standard route—similar to Day 5 of option A+ —will take you through what some consider the jewels of the Wine Route:  Eguisheim, Turckheim, and Kaysersberg.  Have your camera ready!  You may think then that you’ve seen the best and the most remarkable! You’re bound to change your mind when you reach Riquewihr! 

Day 7: Riquewihr or Kaysersberg to Obernai (or Barr) (approx. 47 km or 29 miles)

The Wine Route will take you through even more beautiful villages today, including Hunawihr, Ribeauvillé, Bergheim, Andlau, Barr, and Boesh, which are all filled to the brim with charm and character. Each one has remarkable architectural wonders and should be visited “heads up!”  Some of their tall sculpted, timbered houses are worth some neck stretching - ride carefully! Your final destination is Obernai, the second most visited town in the Alsace…and for good reason! 

Day 8: Obernai to Strasbourg (approx. 37 km or 23 miles)

If you haven’t had time to do so, make sure you take a stroll though Obernai to discover its charms. A short walking tour will take you through some of the town’s most remarkable sites, such as the city hall, the Kapelturm (the belfry), a trip round the medieval walls, and much, much more. Your ride from Obernai will take you to Strasbourg, your final destination and resting point. Although this is the end of your tour, you may choose to stay an extra night or two in Strasbourg, which we can arrange for you beforehand.

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