The Alsace Wine Route: Strasbourg to Basel

Arrive in Strasbourg and settle into your hotel. The historic centre is compact and easy to explore, with its cathedral rising above a maze of streets, canals and traditional houses. It’s a gentle introduction to the region and its mix of French and German influences.

Leave the city along the Bruche canal, once used to transport wine into Strasbourg. The route is calm and flat, passing through small villages and open countryside. In Rosheim, Romanesque architecture hints at the region’s long history before you continue towards Obernai, set among the first vineyards of the route.

Option to cycle 25 or 34 miles.

Now the vineyards begin to define the journey. The route threads through Mittelbergheim, Andlau and Dambach la Ville, each with its own character and traditions. Wine cellars, church towers and half timbered houses appear one after another, leading you north to Ribeauvillé and on to Riquewihr.

Option to cycle 22 or 31 miles.

Ride at the foot of the Vosges through some of the most photographed villages in Alsace. Eguisheim and Kaysersberg are both known for their tightly packed streets and colourful houses. By the time you reach Colmar, the atmosphere shifts slightly, more lively, but still rooted in tradition. The canals and old town invite a slower pace.

A day to pause or to explore further. You might spend the morning in Colmar’s old town or visit the Unterlinden Museum. If you choose to ride, the route heads south towards Guebwiller and beyond, with the option to continue towards Mulhouse before returning by train. It’s a more open landscape, with wider valleys and fewer villages.

Cycle an optional 31 or 50 miles loop.

The route leaves the heart of the wine region and moves east towards the Rhine plain. Neuf-Brisach, a perfectly preserved fortified town, offers a striking contrast to the vineyard villages. From here, cycle through forest and along canal paths to reach Mulhouse, where industrial heritage meets modern life.

Follow the Rhône to Rhine canal before turning into the quieter Sundgau region. The scenery becomes softer and more rural, with ponds, farmland and scattered villages. Crossing into Switzerland, the journey ends in Basel, a city that feels noticeably different, more international, but still relaxed.