Alsace Wine Road – Tour & Train

It’s a shame to leave France’s most cycling-friendly city behind as you head out along the canal path towards the monuments of Molesheim. Pedal past the old locks along La Bruche Canal, the waterway which once conveyed everything from red Vosges sandstone to wine, to join the ‘route des vins’ at the foothills of the wooded Vosges hills. Don’t miss the impressive town halls square, Jesuit Church and famous Bugatti Museum at Molesheim before heading on towards oh-so-Alsatian Obernai with its typical marketplace fountain, delightfully floral rampart-side walk and impressive ‘Kappelturm’ belfry.

Overnight in the Obernai area.

Miles: 22 Kms: 37

Chances are there’ll be a castle in view high on some rocky Vosges outcrop every pedal-push of the way today as you weave in and out of vineyards and medieval villages towards Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, home to some of the region’s finest ‘Grand Crus’. Mittelbergheim, Andlau, Itterswiller, Dambach-la-Ville… the names roll on the tongue like a delicious mouthful of rich Gewurztraminer as your wheels roll onwards along the rural lanes of the Wine Road. Flower-filled Dambach with its 14th century wall and three tower gateways is a firm favourite and Riquewihr with its Post and Stagecoach Museums is an obvious place to stop off a while, but did the Three Kings really stay over at a Ribeauvillé inn en route to Bethlehem? Legend perhaps, but this part of Alsace is certainly fit for a king!

Overnight in the Riquewihr area.

Miles: 31 Kms: 50

A final collection of castles, medieval villages and ‘Grand Cru’ vineyards today before arriving in Colmar with its famous canal area known as ‘La Petite Venise’. Pedal through Ammerschwirr and take time to tour the ramparts at the compact village of Eguisheim. There are memories of medieval prosperity and World War II tragedy at Turckheim, a village which once belonged to Munster Abbey, now home to brightly roofed church with a green tiled church steeple. When it comes to local colour though, Colmar wins the prizes with its patterned roofs and pinnacles, flower-filled balconies, half-timbered houses, brightly painted shutters and smart hanging signs.

Overnight in Colmar.

Miles: 23 Kms: 38

It’s up to you how you spend your last day in this fruitful region. A train ticket back to Strasbourg is included in the tour price, so you may wish to stay a while in Colmar or leave your bike and head off straight away to the city.
If you fancy a little more cycling, then simply leave your luggage for collection and take your bike on the train. Alight at Erstein where you can follow an attractive trail into Strasbourg and enjoy a bit more exploration of France’s most cycling-friendly city before picking up your luggage from your original Strasbourg hotel after 5pm.
Alternatively, you’re welcome to choose not to return to Strasbourg at all, taking your luggage and leaving your bike at your Colmar hotel to continue with onward travel directly.

Miles:15 Kms: 25