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One of the most picturesque regions of France, Alsace is also one of the most cycle-friendly. Designated bike paths and quiet country backroads provide a perfect passage along the Rhine, passing Hansel and Gretel style houses overlooked by imposing medieval castles. There is plenty of opportunity to explore the cobblestone streets of quaint villages and marvel at the impressive Romanesque and Baroque churches. Gastronomic delights are plentiful in this corner of France and you can sample some of the Alsace's finest produce as you travel through undulating farmland, orchards and vineyards. The unusual and stunning 'balloons' or round topped hills provide beautiful vistas of the Alsatian region. This itinerary soaks up the relaxed and jovial atmosphere of what can only be described as a wine-lovers' wonderland.
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20kg of CO2-e PP per day
(138kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrival in Strasbourg
Arrive in the University and port town of Strasbourg and your hotel. Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace and home to some great museums which are worth visiting. The old city is dominated by the Cathedral made out of pink sandstone from the Vosges. There are many interesting narrow streets where you can find some interesting churches, restaurants and shops and the city has a number of covered bridges which cross the Ill River.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Cycle along the canal de la Bruche to Obernai area (40 or 55km/25 or 34mi)
The Canal de la Bruche was once a transport route for wine from the wine-growing areas to the capital. Today the cycle path runs along this canal from Strasbourg to Molsheim, along the wine route. It continues past the 12th century Romanesque church at Rosheim to Obernai. Wine sampling is the theme of the day interspersed with some great cycling in the shadow of the Vosges. Overnight Obernai region.
Meals: B
Day 3
Cycle to Riquewihr surrounds (35 or 50km/22 or 31mi)
The cycle path runs through the famous vineyards and their wine-growing villages, which are among the most beautiful in Alsace: Barr, Andlau, Itterswiller, Dambach-la-Ville and Bergheim or Ribeauville. The route takes you past these villages with opportunities to sample wines, as you head towards the Middle Ages town of Riquewihr (or surrounds). Route Notes - 2 hard climbs, route mainly on dedicated cycle paths through vineyards.
Day 4
Continue through charming wine villages to Colmar (40km/25mi)
Continue your journey on the Wine Route, at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. Today you will discover charming villages famous for the region's great wines. Among them, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg were each recently voted "Favourite Village of the French". You will stop in Colmar, capital of Alsace wines. Do not miss a walk in its well-preserved historic centre and visit the Unterlinden Museum, which houses the Issenheim Altarpiece, a masterpiece of Western art. Colmar is the birthplace of F.A. Bartholdi famous for the Statue of Liberty of New York (1866). Route Notes - a hilly route with a few hard but short climbs (2 of 1km/0.6mi each, 1 of 500m from Wintzenheim to Wettolsheim). 1.5km/1mi of the route is on a good dirt road.
Day 5
Rest day Colmar, or ride to Guebwiller or Mulhouse (50-80km/31-50mi), return by train
Today you can enjoy a rest day, exploring the pretty town of Colmar, or if you're feeling energetic you can explore the surrounding area by bike. From Colmar you head south along the Alsace Wine Route, passing its typical villages. From Guebwiller, cycle to Bollwiller and take the train or continue to Ungersheim, until the Ecomusee d’Alsace. From there, the cycle path guides you directly to Mulhouse. Return to Colmar by train. (Train ticket costs are not included). Route Notes - little hilly until Guebwiller, then flat terrain to either Bollwiller or Mulhouse. Optional longer cycle route (same night stop) - additional loop tour Colmar-Munster return +40km/25m
Day 6
Cycle to Mulhouse and surrounds (65km/41mi)
Today you head east to Neuf-Brisach, then continue towards the south to reach the small village of Ottmarsheim with its 12th century church. Next you enter the Hardt’s forest then continue cycling along the Rhone-Rhine canal to reach Mulhouse. After enjoying the historic town centre of Mulhouse, you have a choice of numerous museums to visit this afternoon. Route Notes - flat route mainly on dedicated cycle paths, approx 7km on secondary roads) Optional longer cycle route (same night stop) - additional loop +30km/18.75mi, altitude difference +141m
Day 7
Continue along the Rhone-Rhine canal to Basel surrounds (55km/34mi)
Continue to follow the Rhone-Rhine Canal by the EuroVelo route 6 to Illfurth then cross the peaceful Sundgau region in the south of Alsace, characterised by its beautiful half-timbered houses. The city of Basel is located where the borders of Germany, France and Switzerland meet. Although the main city is in Switzerland, some of the suburbs are in France and Germany where our accommodation is located. With a large number of theatres and museums (including the world renowned Fine Arts Museum), the city is a centre of culture. Overnight in the Basel region. Route Notes - flat or gently undulating, largely on cycle paths but also on low traffic roads
Day 8
Trip concludes
Trip concludes after breakfast. Our usual accommodations in Basel are located in the French or German parts of the city (due to border checks on luggage) - if you plan to stay longer in Basel we suggest staying more centrally in the Swiss part.
What's included
What's not included
You will be accommodated in a combination of 3 and 4 star hotels all with ensuite facilities. Please note that a twin room is not always associated with having two beds. Quite often a twin bed has one or two mattresses on the same bed frame but with two separate duvets. Sometimes there might be two beds positioned together, but they cannot be separated because of constraints of the room.
During the trip you will be provided with a 21 speed bike. You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear for the day, along with a pump, anti-theft device and repair kit. In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. A puncture repair kit is included in the equipment provided so you can fix the issue. Helmet rental is not available, please bring your own.
Aluminium high crossbar bike with front and rear brakes and 28 inch tires. Sizes 52,56 & 60cm frames available.
An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below.
Electric bikes are designed to make cycling easier. The pedalling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 12 years and a minimum height requirement is 148cm / 4ft10in.
Children's bikes are available (see trip grading), along with child trailers and follow-me tow bars on request - supplement applies.
You will mainly ride on cycle paths, on paved agricultural paths or on small local roads without much traffic.
GRADE 3 - Daily cycles of between 39 and 65km (24.5 and 40mi), or you can choose the more challenging 'sports' option should you want longer rides (between 75 and 111km/46.5 and 69mi) between the same towns. The terrain mainly flat or gently undulating, with days 3, 4 and 7 involving some steeper ascents and descents. You will ride mainly on cycle paths, on minor agricultural tarred roads or on small secondary roads without much traffic. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for fit beginners and children aged 12 and over who are used to pedalling on hills and over time. If you are not used to cycling then we recommend that you include as much cycling on roads in your pre-trip training. This is to get used to cars passing you at times and will be invaluable practise for when you are entering and leaving towns and cities when on the trip.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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