Apart from the occasional ramp up to the top of the dyke, the Rhine valley is easy and relaxed. Through northern Alsace and the vineyards you cycle gently up and down, it is rarely really steep. However, the climb up to the "Route des Crêtes" in the Vosges is a small feat of strength, but the ridge road itself is only slightly undulating. Good signposts ensure easy orientation.
Best time to travel
From May to October. Protected by the Vosges mountains, Alsace offers warm and dry summers. The area around Colmar is one of the least rainy in France. At the end of July, my on-board computer showed 42 degrees in the Rhine Valley! It is much cooler on the Vosges ridge.
Route
Strasbourg - Lauterbourg - Wissembourg - Soultz-sous-Forêts - Niederbronn-les-Bains - la Petite-Pierre - Saverne - Molsheim - Obernai - Barr - Andlau - Châtenois - Ribeauvillé - Kaysersberg - Orbey - Col de la Schlucht - Grand Ballon - Uffholtz - Fessenheim - Neuf-Brisach - Strasbourg
Length: approx. 530 kilometres; altitude difference: approx. 5000 metres
Altitude: between 107 m (Lauterbourg) and 1343 m (Col du Grand Ballon)
This tour can easily be completed in a week. It is based in part on the Bikeline cycle tour book "Alsace".
Journey
Strasbourg is easy to reach by train. Journey time from Frankfurt or Stuttgart: 2-3 hours, book your bike in advance. If you prefer to start in the countryside, take the train via Landau to Weißenburg; bike transport on the regional train without reservation.
By car via the A5 motorway to Strasbourg. Gare Wodli" multi-storey car park near the station, €13.90/day.
Information
Internet portal of the French National Tourist Board. Click on "Alsace". http://www.rendezvousenfrance.com
Information about Alsace, together with current events. http://www.tourismus-elsass.com
TIP: The regional cycle route maps ("Tout le Bas-Rhin à Vélo" and "La Haute Alsace à Vélo") with useful information and tips on cycling are available from:
Comité Régional du Tourisme d'Alsace 20A, rue Berthe Molly - BP 50 247; F 68000 Colmar Cedex;
Tel. +33 (0)3 89 24 73 50 - Fax +33 (0)3 89 24 73 51
e-mail: crt@tourisme-alsace.com
Worth seeing
Strasbourg: The old town centre around the cathedral and the "Petite France" district.
Wissembourg: The "Maison du Sel" with its steep tiled roof.
Graufthal: Rock dwellings in the blue grotto houses.
Saverne: The "Maison Katz" is one of the most magnificent half-timbered houses in Alsace.
Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr: The "pearls" of Alsace are famous for their wines; picture-book half-timbered houses.
Kaysersberg: pretty centre, birthplace of "jungle doctor" Albert Schweizer.
Literature/Maps
Alsace, Dumont Reise-Taschenbuch, 16,99€
Bikeline-Radatlas Elsass, Verlag Esterbauer, detailed maps on a scale of 1:75000, €13.90
Michelin map "Local", No. 315, Alsace, Upper Rhine Plain, scale 1:150,000, €7.50
Accommodation tips
There are restaurants, hotels, guest rooms and campsites for every budget along the entire tour. Rooms from 40 euros. Dinner with wine from around 30 euros.
Good: Restaurant Alexain, Hôtel du Parc, 33, Rue de la République, F-67110 Niederbronn les Bains. Wine bar with wine arbour.
Simple: directly on the Route des Crêtes, not far from the Grand Ballon, Hôtel-Restaurant Wolf, 68610 Markstein, http://www.hotelwolf.info
Good value: perfect for cyclists, good breakfast, Gîte de France holiday apartment, Anne Allonas, 2, Place de la République, F-67390 Marckolsheim, Tel. +33 3 88 92 55 62
