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Rivers and Vineyards Cycling
RIVERS & VINEYARDS CYCLING | WHERE YOU STAY
Aux Armes de France **
Ammerschwihr Days 1+8
Here you stay at the traditional Aux Armes de France hotel in the centre of the village of Ammerschwihr. With just 10 rooms (all ensuite), it’s a small but very much family affair – father Pierre originally founded the hotel although his son, Philippe, has since taken over the day to day running of the hotel. The hotel’s restaurant is of some repute locally and in good weather, their excellent cuisine is served on the flower bedecked terrace. Please note that if you are arring at the hotel on a Wednesday, the hotel’s restaurant is closed. We have therefore arranged for you to dine at an alternative restaurant in Ammerschwihr on Wednesday evenings.
Further details on the hotel website.
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, half-timbered 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 to Rouffach for the next two nights.
Hostellerie à La Ville de Lyon **
Rouffach Days 2+3
This 16C staging post has been transformed into a comfortable hotel with excellent facilities. Our hotel is in an excellent location for exploring this lovely little historic town with the centre just a 10 minute walk away.
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 medieval center. 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, or you can pop on the local train. Don’t miss the Unterlinden museum – a treasure trove of Rhine Renaissance art.
Day 4 Rouffach to Breisach amRhein 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.
Hotel Kapuzinegarten AA Breisach am Rhein Days 4+5
Engelbert Hau will make you feel very welcome at his hotel in a quiet street in the old part of town. The ‘Kloister’ rooms have been simply but beautifully furnished. All the rooms have lovely views over the town and the Kaiserstuhl. They have been decorated in a simple style, with wooden furniture and floors.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 5 At Breisach am Rhein
After admiring Breisach’s Gothic cathedral and medieval 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 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 amRhein to Dieffenthal 47km/29mi or 56km/35mi
Through pine forest to Burkheim - half-timbered houses crowned with a medieval 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 theMaginot Line (WW2 defences). Then along quiet lanes through tobacco and corn fields to pretty Dieffenthal in the vines and our hotel on the edge of the village.
Hotellerie Le Verger des Châteaux ***
Dieffenthal Days 6+7
This modern hotel has been built to mirror the architecture of the local area. The rooms here are all very spacious and look out over the vineyards. All rooms have a bath or shower, telephone and television. It’s a lovely peaceful location, on the edge of the tiny village of Dieffenthal, and is in an excellent location for exploring some of the wine villages of the Bas Rhin.
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. Plenty of wine tasting en route. Or you could take the train to Strasbourg: pink stone Gothic cathedral, medieval 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 Châtenois’s curiousWitches’ Tower , you reach Ribeauvillé 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.
For extra nights we recommend Ammerschwihr, Rouffach or Strasbourg.