Alsace and the Vosges

Day 2

Leaving Strasbourg by the canal-side cycle path, we head north through Schiltigheim (home of French tour favourite Tommy Voekler) into unspoilt countryside and it’s not long before we are on singletrack lanes with fines views. Passing through Zinswiller the scene is set as this is the first of many unspoilt villages we will pass through during the week. Entering the Vosges Regional Park, our first overnight stop is at Bitche in a friendly hotel in a lovely setting. With luck we will be able to eat outside on the terrace with a fine view of the castle opposite. (77 km / 48 miles).

Day 4

Today we strike out into the high country. Visiting the chateau du Haut-Barr, there are views of the Black Forest off to the left. Neither as high nor with passes as long as the Alps or Pyrennes, this is nevertheless a mountain environment with alpine views and long descents through ancient forests to reward the work coming up. Our overnight hotel is a charming auberge in Mutzig. Typically Alsatian, a real gem of a hotel. (77 km / 48 miles).

Day 6

This is the big one with some tough climbs; three in total and the best known of the region; Col du Bonhomme (the pass which links Alsace to Lorraine), Col de la Schlucht and the Grand Ballon. The climbing is worth it for the unparalled views; from the top of the Grand Ballon you can see the Black Forest, the Jura mountains and the Alps on a clear day. Guebwiller is a pretty town for our overnight stop. As well as the advertised mileage there is an optional 13 mile decent down to our hotel for the night - no-one has refused it yet! (89 km / 55 miles).

Day 8

One of the most famous sights awaits as we pass Haut Koenigsborg castle with its views over the Rhine plain and into Germany. Then an easy run back through pretty Selestat with its old centre, and a return to Strasbourg via the canal towpath to avoid the busy roads. (89 km / 55 miles).