Alsace Rivers & Vineyards Cycling, France

This varied cycling holiday takes you along the wine route that runs north to south between the Vosges mountains and the Alsace plain, bordered on the east by the Rhine, with a foray across the river into Germany for two nights. Pedalling along traffic-free country lanes, through vineyards and orchards, you take in some of Alsace’s most beautiful villages. There’s Eguisheim, where wine making began, mediaeval Rouffach whose beautifully preserved centre is listed as a historical site, and half-timbered Turckheim where a night watchman still walks the streets. In Germany, vineyard cycling trails are replaced by quiet riverside tracks as you enjoy vistas along the mighty Rhine and discover the mediaeval walls of Breisach am Rhein, home to one of Germany’s finest Gothic cathedrals.

Almost every village has its cave and there are wine tasting opportunities every day. Seven types of grape grow in Alsace and some villages have their own vintages that aren’t produced anywhere else, like Kaefferkopf from the storknesting village of Ammerschwihr. Others, like Ribeauvillé, produce several grand crus. Your two nights in Germany provide even more variety. The “Tuscany of Germany”, wines from the Silvaner, Müller Thurgau and Grauburgunder grapes are produced here. Rest days are particularly exciting - Colmar, Strasbourg and Freiburg can all be reached within an hour by train.

The places you stay in are special too. In Rouffach your hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant. In Breisach am Rhein, your hotel is adjacent to the cathedral and commands stunning views over the terraces of the Kaiserstuhl wine hills and, in Dieffenthal, you can taste wine at your hotel’s own cosy winstub.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive in Ammerschwihr
We meet you at Colmar station and take you to your first hotel (15 minutes) in time for dinner.

Day 2 - Ammerschwihr to Rouffach 25km/16mi
A freewheel through the Kaefferkopf vineyards leads to the cobbled streets and geranium-decked, halftimbered houses of Turckheim. Then along country lanes bordered by the Vosges hills, each peak crowned by a ruined castle, to Eguisheim. The birthplace of Alsatian wine (the Romans started it all off), every grape variety grows here so there's lots to try. Then it’s off to Rouffach for the next two nights.

Day 3 - At Rouffach
You could simply relax in the hotel's indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi but the town itself merits a visit. Surrounded by oak forest and fruit orchards, its idyllic setting is matched only by its marvellously preserved mediaeval centre. You can also visit its stork sanctuary to see the region's emblem up close. Colmar - the 'Venice of Alsace' - a honeycomb of canals and pastel houses, is reachable by bike, bus or local train. Don't miss the Unterlinden museum - a treasure trove of Rhine Renaissance art.

Day 4 - Rouffach to Breisach am Rhein 44km/27mi
Oak forest gives way to swaying cornfields as you leave the vineyards behind and cycle to Neuf Brisach. Commissioned by Louis XIV, the 'Sun King', this rose coloured star-shaped fortress town guarded the border in the 17C. Today it's a fascinating museum. Then it's across the Rhine and into Germany. St Stephan cathedral dominates the horizon as you reach the half-timbered houses of Breisach am Rhein on the riverbank.

Day 5 - At Breisach am Rhein
After admiring Breisach's Gothic cathedral and mediaeval walls, why not follow one of the waymarked cycling trails to the wine terraces of Kaiserstuhl, just behind the town. Known as the 'Tuscany of Germany' for its mild climate, you'll find terraces of vines and a wealth of wild flowers - 33 different orchids flower in June. Or take the train (25 mins) to Freiburg, capital of the Black Forest, to see one of Germany's finest Gothic cathedrals. Some guests last summer opted for a cruise on the River Rhine - lots to choose from.

Day 6 - Breisach am Rhein to Dieffenthal 47km/29mi or 56km/35mi
Through pine forest to Burkheim - half-timbered houses crowned with a mediaeval castle - then an easy freewheel along the mighty Rhine. Past long boats and stone bridges before crossing back into France at Markolsheim, one of the towns on the Maginot Line (WW2 defences). Then cycle along quiet lanes through tobacco and corn fields to pretty Dieffenthal in the vines and our hotel on the edge of the village.

Day 7 - At Dieffenthal
Why not cycle to Dambach la Ville, one of the prettiest villages in Alsace, and leave your bike to follow the sentier viticole (path) through the vineyards. A possible cycling circuit takes in flower-decked Itterswiller and Andlau with its Romanesque church. This is plenty of wine tasting opportunities en route. Or you could take the train (50 mins) to Strasbourg: pink stone Gothic cathedral, mediaeval streets, canals and Renaissance squares.

Day 8 - Dieffenthal to Ammerschwihr 30km/19mi
Today's route retraces in part a Roman wine road. Cycling through vineyards and cherry orchards past Scherwiller with its lavoirs on the River Aubach, and Chatenois's curious Witches' Tower, you reach Ribeauville in time for lunch. Its cobbled streets hide tempting winstubs and a wine museum! But save time to explore flower-decked Riquewihr - Pearl of the Vineyards - before cycling back to Ammerschwihr.

Day 9 - Return home
We take you to Colmar station

Is this trip for you?
This is a 2 cycle independent holiday (See Headwater’s Cycle Rating System) which is best suited to couples with a keen interest in food and wine. The cycling routes are quite long, so not suitable for young children. This holiday combines the highlights of the Alsace Route du Vin (Wine Road) with the discovery of a corner of Germany few visitors know about.