Overview
A perfect Alsatian short break, cycling in Alsace’s Wine Region, along the banks of the Rhine, exploring ancient villages, vineyards and the Vosges foothills. This is a centre-based holiday, staying in the beautifully-preserved town of Colmar, the capital of the Alsace Wine Region, but also one of Europe’s most charming cities, with medieval houses, canals and fine food. With three full days of cycling, explore the famous wine villages of Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr and Kientzheim, the historic town of Munster, famous for its cheese, and hop over the German border to Breisach am Rhein. Traditional and e-bikes are available as rentals on this tour.
- Colmar
- Route des Vins (Alsace Wine Route)
- Riquewihr
- Munster
- Neuf-Brisach
- Breisach am Rhein
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Colmar
Arrive in the historic city of Colmar, located close to the Rhine and the German border. Depending on your arrival time, explore the city’s medieval alleys and its exceptionally well-preserved historic centre, awash with colour thanks to the façades of the iconic half-timbered houses and the array of flower pots lining the streets. Be sure to visit Église Saint-Martin, a fine example of Gothic architecture, as well as the 15th-century Koifhus (Old Custom House) and Le Marché Couvert de Colmar (covered market), offering a selection of regional products.
- Accommodation: Hotel Beauséjour or similar in Colmar
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Le Colombier or similar in Colmar
Day 2: Loop through famous wine villages | 45-60km
Today there is the choice between a longer and a shorter route. Leave Colmar and head north, following sections of the famous Route des Vins (Alsace Wine Route), cycling through several of Alsace’s famous wine villages, including Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr and Kientzheim. The longer route also includes the villages of Turckheim and Eguisheim, both of which are officially classified as two of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
- Accommodation: Hotel Beauséjour or similar in Colmar
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Le Colombier or similar in Colmar
- Cycling for the day: 45-60km
Day 3: Free day in Colmar
Relax for the day or explore the town of Colmar by foot. Take a leisurely stroll around the town of Colmar to visit the Old Town, the bustling covered market or take a short boat trip along the River Lauch.
Day 4: Munster | 45km
Today’s route leads to the town of Munster, heading through Turckheim and Zimmerbach along the way. The town is located in the luscious landscapes of Val Saint-Grégoire, and is known for Munster cheese, one of the many culinary delights of the Alsace region. We recommend pairing it with caraway seeds and a glass of Pinot Gris or Gewürztraminer. Continue along the cycle path, as it winds through the valley, before arriving back at your accommodation in Colmar.
- Cycling for the day: 45km
Day 5: Breisach am Rhein | 70km
Explore the villages of the Rhine valley, firstly heading to the fortified town of Neuf-Brisach. Learn about the town’s history during the 17th and 18th centuries with a visit to the Fortifications of Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located along the border. Cross over the Rhine, heading into Germany, to arrive in the town of Breisach am Rhein. Climb the hill to visit the town’s 12th-century cathedral, Breisacher St. Stephansmünster, with views extending over the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. Follow the cycle path along the Rhine, crossing back to the French side of the river to the town of Marckolsheim, where the Memorial Museum of the Maginot Line of the Rhine is located. From there, continue along the cycle path back to Colmar.
- Cycling for the day: 70km
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast, or extend your stay with an extra night in Colmar.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in a locally-owned three-star hotel. It has been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including its location, warm hospitality and fine local food. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Please note that, in Germany, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at time of booking, however they can’t always be guaranteed.
Click to view standard hotel
- Hotel Beauséjour (Colmar)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotel
- Hotel Le Colombier (Colmar)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate, with daily cycling distances ranging between 45-70km. The route mainly follows cycle paths, minor agricultural tarred roads and secondary roads with little traffic, involving some ascents on certain days. You can also rent an e-bike on this tour, which makes things a lot easier (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked paths and never try to shorten the route through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the end of March until the beginning of October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season.
In the Alsace region, from March to October you can generally expect a transition from cool spring temperatures to warmer summer temperatures ranging between 18-25C, providing pleasant conditions for cycling. Summers in France are hot, dry and sunny. Late spring and early autumn are less hot but typically warm enough to spend evenings eating outside. For more information on travelling in France and Germany, please visit our blogs Best time to go to France and Best time to go to Germany.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Strasbourg Airport (SXB) and Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL).
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with a railway station in Colmar. For more details, see the national rail operator SNCF Connect or use the Omio planner above
- The journey between Strasbourg Airport and Colmar takes 45mins (changing in Strasbourg) and the journey between Basel Mulhouse Freiburg and Colmar takes around 50mins, with a bus to St-Louis, then a train to Colmar. For more information, see SNCF Connect for trains and BVB for buses, or use the Omio planner above
- From Colmar, there are train services to many destinations, such as Paris and Frankfurt. For more details, see SNCF Connect and DB or use the Omio planner above
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 breakfasts
- Digital travel package including route description, maps and GPS data (printed documents available at extra cost)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Bike rental (standard hybrid bike or e-bike)
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers or tips
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not specifically listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Bike rental (standard hybrid bike or e-bike)
- Upgrade to a 4-star hotel
- Extra nights before or after the tour
Bike rental
Both hybrid and e-bikes are available to rent on this tour. All bikes come with a waterproof handlebar bag with a map holder, waterproof rear bag, repair kit with small tools and spare inner tube, bicycle pump, key or combination padlock and odometer.
Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models may differ depending on the availability, but the standard will be the same.
Hybrid bike
- KTM 7 hybrid bike
- Seven speeds indexed in the Nexus 7 type hub
- Shimano V-Brake front and rear
Hybrid bike
- KTM 21 hybrid bike
- 21 speed, with Shimano Acera derailleur
- Shimano V-Brake front and rear
E-bike
- Vélo de Ville e-bike
- Front and rear Shimano Déore disc brakes
- Eight speeds integrated into the hub
- Bosch power pack 500 battery with an average range of 90km
