Overview
Cycling the Alsace Wine Route over five days is one of the quickest ways to immerse yourself in viticulture, Alsatian culture and nature. Alsace boasts several Véloroutes alongside vineyards, through ancient villages and up into the woodlands of the Vosges, with views across Alsace and over the German border towards the Black Forest. The tour starts in the historic city of Strasbourg, with a finale in Colmar, an exquisite city with iconic pink and yellow Vosges sandstone half-timbered houses, and a maze of cobbled alleys. There is an option to rent an e-bike on this tour.
- Explore the beauty of the Alsace wine region in north-eastern France
- Enjoy cycling over rolling hills dotted with medieval castles
- Relax after the cycling tasting local wines
- Take in the charming villages and towns of Obernai, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Colmar
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Strasbourg
Arrive in Strasbourg and check-in at your hotel. Venture out into the Strasbourg’s magnificent medieval city centre to explore its traditional architecture, canals, culture and cobbled streets.
- Accommodation: Hotel de l’Europe or similar in Strasbourg
Day 2: Strasbourg to Obernai | 37km
Leave Strasbourg on a pleasant well-marked bike path, riding south-west past storybook villages, elegant castles and vast vineyards on the Alsace Wine Route. Afterwards, replenish your energy with some Alsatian cuisine in the charming town of Obernai.
- Cycling for the day: 37km ↑230m ↓180m
- Accommodation: Hotel de la Cloche or similar in Obernai (optional upgrade: Hotel Le Gouverneur or similar)
Day 3: Obernai to Riquewihr | 49km
Your destination for the day is Riquewihr, a medieval town in the very heart of Alsatian wine country. This wonderful wine village has been named one of ‘Les plus beaux villages de France‘ (the most beautiful villages in France). The combination of its handsome architecture and world famous wines gave Riquewihr the nickname ‘The Pearl of Alsace’.
- Cycling for the day: 49km ↑790m ↓660m
- Accommodation: Hotel le Riquewihr or similar in Riquewihr
Day 4: Riquewihr to Colmar | 35km
Visit beautiful Turckheim, a walled and fortified town. Take a walk past the many half-timbered houses, which are typical of Alsace. Cycle through scenic wine villages like Kaysersberg and end your ride in the brightly-coloured city of Colmar, with its beautiful flower-filled lanes. You can make this cycling day more challenging by taking on an extra loop through an area with five castles.
- Cycling for the day: 35km ↑315m ↓410m (21km if you skip the loop)
- Accommodation: Hotel Beausejour or similar in Colmar (optional upgrade: Hotel Le Rapp or similar)
Day 5: Departure
The tour ends after breakfast. Departure or extra days in Colmar.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 3-star hotels in private en-suite rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Hotel upgrade with a supplement – on request in Obernai and Colmar.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel de l’Europe (Strasbourg)
- Hotel de la Cloche (Obernai)
- Hotel le Riquewihr (Riquewihr)
- Hotel Beausejour (Colmar)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a bed & breakfast basis. Products for picnics can be purchased in the villages where you’ll be staying, or you can have your lunch in a restaurant along the way. You can have dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
The daily distances are 30-50km on nearly flat to hilly areas, following quiet country roads. The trip is suitable for both beginner and intermediate cyclists in good physical shape (read more about difficulty grades). You can also rent an e-bike which makes the trip practically accessible to everybody (experience with handling an e-bike is a must). We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of April until the end of October. The best time for cycling is between May and September when the weather is generally good, and the average daily temperatures are 22-24C and up to 23C in July and August. September is the time of the wine festivals. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Strasbourg. As an alternative, you can also fly to Paris.
By train or bus
- Arrival in Strasbourg: If you fly to Strasbourg, there is a regular shuttle train (4x per hour) from the airport to Strasbourg centre (approx. 9mins). From Paris airports, you can get to Strasbourg by the TGV (high-speed train) from Paris Gare de l’Est (approx. 1h 50mins). For timetables and further information, check the website of the SNCF
- Departure from Colmar: From Colmar, you can take the local train (TER) to Strasbourg (approx. 35mins), where you can get to Paris. For timetables and further information, check the website of the TER-SNCF
Inclusions
Included
- 4 overnights in private ensuite rooms as detailed in the itinerary
- 4 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer on the cycling days (one piece per person, max 20kg)
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Bike rental (standard for three days) and extra days of bike rental
Bike Rental
Hybrid bike rental: GIANT Argento RS4 GTS, 21 Speed. The bikes come with a pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock.
E-bike rental: GIANT Prime. The bikes come with a pannier, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock.
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