Beyond the flat Rhine plain, the 225 kilometres also require some physical effort, especially to get from the vineyards of Alsace up to the heights of the Vosges to the Col de la Schlucht at 1139 metres. Culturally, towns such as Freiburg and Colmar with their old alleyways and buildings promise interesting stops, while Contrexeville and Vittel also impress with their magnificent bathhouses and grand hotels. Culinary delights are a safe bet in Baden and Alsace anyway. From simple mountain inns, ferme auberges on the heights of the Vosges and hiking inns in the Black Forest to Michelin-starred restaurants, the gastronomy offers the whole range of local and international cuisine. And at the end of the tour, you can toast with a glass of crémant or sparkling wine.
The route runs on cycle paths and away from busy roads. It is recommended in 3 to 6 day stages. The steeper sections can be completed by public transport.
Tour combinations:
Connection to the Rhine, Moselle and Southern Black Forest cycle paths
Means of transport:
Travelling to and from Titisee and Contrexeville by train is possible, but somewhat time-consuming, i.e. involves changing trains several times. We recommend, for example, continuing from Epinal on the Moselle cycle path to Nancy, from where the return journey by train is somewhat easier. DB hotline: 0180 6 99 66 33, www.bahn.de.
Cycle-friendly accommodation:
Schwarzwaldgasthof zum Löwen in Titisee-Neustadt, www.loewen-titisee.de
Hotel Bierhäusle in Freiburg, www.bierhaeusle.de
Capuchin garden in Breisach, kapuzinergarten.de
Hotel Le Colombier in Colmar, www.hotel-le-colombier.fr
Map & Literature:
Overview and stage maps on www.gruene-strasse.de
Information (General):
Grüne Straße / Route Verte c/o Breisach Touristik, Tel. 07667/940155, breisach-touristik@breisach.de
Schwarzwald Tourismus, Habsburgerstr. 132, 79104 Freiburg, Tel. 0761/896460, www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 1/2016. You can read the entire issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or order the issue in the DK shop.
