Imagine a family holiday cycling along the byways of Alsace, through its broad cereal fields and sloping vineyards, along bike paths and pretty, narrow roads chosen with special care for families.
You’ll make your way from Strasbourg to Colmar through many characteristic villages studded with traditional half-timbered houses.Storks, the emblematic birds of Alsace, will of course show you the way!
And as reward for your efforts at the end of the cycling day, you’ll appreciate the calm comfort of accommodation conceived especially for family groups. A time to share your thoughts and feelings whilst enjoying a delicious traditional family meal.
You'll love
Passing through typical villages and their nearby vineyards
the wonderful views you get all along the way
cycling itineraries that are specially adapted to the needs of family groups
the visit to the amazing Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
the night you spend in Colmar so you can explore this outstanding town.
Reception at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Your holiday starts here in Strasbourg, capital of Alsace. Take the opportunity to discover the Cathedral and the charming ‘Quartier de la Petite France’ ...
3-star hotel, just bed and breakfast.
Tonight you eat out in one of the many typical restaurants you’ll find in the town.
D2
Ride from Strasbourg to Mutzig
28 km stage with total uphill of 40 m - Level 2/5 – Around 2hrs30.
For this first stage you cross through the historic centre of the city of Strasbourg, remarkable for its typically Alsatian architecture. Progressively, you leave the town behind and cycle along a pretty canal that takes you a little closer to the nearby Vosges mountain range through some of the celebrated vineyards of Alsace. The greenway takes you all the way to Mutzig through superb villages that are so typical of the region.
Dinner and night in 3-star hotel.
D3
Ride from Mutzig to Andlau
25 km with total uphill 320 m – Level 2/5 – Around 2hrs30
Today you really get to the heart of the Alsacian vineyards. A blend of villages and countryside, the itinerary is so pleasant you could be forgiven for forgetting the slightly steeper parts of it…and after all you get a much better view over the spreading plain!
Obernai is a town that merits a closer look. The birthplace of Saint Odile, patron saint of Alsace, this is a town of mediaeval origin whose ramparts are listed buildings and whose half -timbered monuments are simply quite superb.
Along the way today, there are many viewpoints where you may like to stop and take a break. Maybe a few photos, too, of the lovely countryside all around you.
Dinner and night in 3-star hotel.
D4
Ride from Andlau to Sélestat
21 km stage with total uphill 85 m - level 1/5 – Around 2 hrs.
Today you’ll soon find yourselves back among the vineyards, cycling along undulating country roads and passing through some of those pretty villages that are so typical of Alsace. Why not pop into one of the winemaker’s establishments you’ll notice along the way and enjoy tasting some of the produce and local wines (in moderation, naturally)?
Dinner and night in a 3-star hotel.
D5
Ride from Sélestat to Ribeauvillé
16km stage with 100 m total uphill – level 1/5 – Around 1hr30.
This morning you go to Sélestat station to get the shuttle service up to the Château du Haut Koenigsbourg, a splendid fortress perched on an 800 metre rocky outcrop. Up there, there are the most stunning views over the Plain of Alsace, the crests and valleys of the Ballons des Vosges and even the distant Black Forest over in Germany. There‘s also the possibility of visiting the extraordinary Montagne des Singes (200 Macaques roaming free!) or the Volerie des Aigles (‘Flight of Eagles’) on the way back down to Sélestat. In the afternoon a short cycle stage will take you unhurriedly, amid vineyards and brightly coloured Alsacian villages, through the countryside to Ribeauvillé. Bergheim, walled in the 14th century, is definitely worth a look.
Night in 3-star hotel. (You eat out this evening.)
D6
Ride from Ribeauvillé to Colmar
20km stage with total uphill 210m – Level 1/5 – About 2hrs.
When you leave Ribeauvillé, you have to make a bit of an effort to get up to the vineyards. But from there you can enjoy fine views across the Plain of Alsace, go down to the NaturOparC by the village of Hunawihr (conservation of endangered species), and visit lovely villages such as Riquewihr or Kaysersberg.
The way to Colmar is through countryside studded with orchards. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll relish the unique atmosphere of this altogether superb Alsacian town: half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, pretty canals and great food all contribute to a truly remarkable built and cultural heritage.
Night in 3-star hotel in Colmar.
This evening you eat out in one of the many restaurants you’ll find in the town.
D7
Departure from Colmar
In the morning you take your cycles on the train back to Strasbourg to pick up your own vehicle.
Farewell to your memorable journey along the byways of Alsace, or perhaps, ‘au revoir’?
*Rates based on a room shared with two adults. Single-parent families, please contact us.
What's included?
3 nights with breakfast and 3 nights half-board in 3 star hotels
Entry for the Château du Haut Koenigsbourg
Transfer back from Colmar to Strasbourg
Baggage transfers
Roadbook and waymarked maps provided
Technical and logistical assistance
Optional and extras
Bike rental from :
Bike rental for adult or junior (from 1m45) : 160 €
Mountain bike for child (under 1m45): 90 €
Trailer bike or bike cart for child : 90 €
Child seat : 10 €
Electric power bike for adult or junior (from 1m45) : 245 €
What's not included?
Parking for your vehicle throughout the holiday : to pay directly
Beverage and extra
Return transfer from Sélestat to Château du Haut Koenigsbourg
Return transfer from Home to the first accomodation
Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Self-guided cycling holiday.
Road types: cycle tracks, farm tracks (vineyards and cereal crops), quiet narrow country roads.
Recommended cycles: country bikes (broader tyres than strictly road bikes).
Organisation
These holidays are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. We transport your luggage and a detailed roadbook will guide you from beginning to end. We also provide the logistical and technical support necessary.
Accommodation is in either 3 star/'épis' hotels chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural setting.
For technical reasons, we do not propose midday or evening meals at some stage during this holiday. However at each stage you'll find there are plenty of different places to eat.
N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may vary according to availability at the moment your reservation is finalized.
Access
By car
Highway A35, A4, A351, A352
By air
Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport
By train
TGV station in Strasbourg : trains from Stuttgart, Zurich, Paris, Lille, Munich, Nantes, Rennes, Avignon, Bordeaux...
Comments
Global note
5.0
Trust safrantours, you won't be disappointed!
Translate from french
Beautiful tours, lovely villages on the way, delicious food, great wine, all child-friendly, confortable hotels. Thank you Safrantours for the unforgettable experience !
Excellent family time in Alsace, itineraries very well suited to families, leaving plenty of time for visiting. Once again, many thanks to the Safrantours team!
Translate from french
Une région magnifique avec un réseau cyclable sûr et très bien aménagé et fléché.
La route des vins en Alsace: un séjour culturel et gastronomique exceptionnel dans un cadre magnifique ! Merci à l'équipe Safrantours !
Awesome family vacation ! We loved biking through the vineyards and visiting the "fairy tale" villages. The distances we biked each day were perfect for our family.
Idéal pour une semaine de détente, familiale, en profitant des richesses et de la diversité de l'Alsace.
Très beau circuit ! Parfaite découverte de l'Alsace en famille.
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