It's full of familiar names like Black Forest, Gewürztraminer, Rhine, Strasbourg and Colmar. But have you ever tasted perfectly chilled Riesling after climbing the steep hills to Ribeauvillé or stopped at a streetside café in 500-year-old Riquewihr? Have you ever watched red clay rooftops of tiny French hamlets sprout out of the lush green vineyards and grow as you approach? Have you ever crossed the Rhine listening as it quietly flows beneath you? Have you ever had Black Forest cake in the Black Forest? Oh, you will.
Days 1-2 The spa town of Badenweiler, a Roman settlement back in A.D. 75
- care for a soak? 
Pedal past thick woods, soothing streams and typical Black Forest hamlets with miles of unparalleled vistas The Bauerhausmuseum, an authentic regional abode built in 1696, reveals how people lived and worked more than a century ago Cross the Rhine from Germany into France after spinning through sun-soaked vine-laden Markgräflerland Your eyes aren't deceiving you: the 17th-century fortified town of Neuf-Brisach is a perfect octagon.
Day 3 Spin through glorious scenery
Cornfields make way for alpine meadows en route to 8th-century Benedictine Murbach Abbey Hills of granite and red sandstone offer stunning views of the Rhine Valley, Black Forest and, on a clear day, Swiss peaks.
Day 4 Alsace's famous Route des Vins:
splendid riding through rolling vineyards and quaint villages, brimming with half-timbered houses and geranium-fringed canals Picturesque Ribeauvillé is a delight to explore: well-preserved medieval houses and stunning Gothic churches nestle within ancient walls Stroll the winding lanes of Colmar's ancient town center, where splashes of blue and ochre lift the façades and dance on the waterways.
Days 5-6 Sample world-class Rieslings and Gewürztraminers
at a charming family-run winery Pedal across a sea of grape vines that rises and falls gracefully against the Vosges Mountains Behold quintessential Alsatian villages coming to life on a peaceful morning spin.
Trip Highlights
- World-class Rieslings, Gewürztraminers and Pinot Gris
- Step back into 18th-century life at the Bauerhausmuseum
- Cross the Rhine from Germany into France on two wheels
- Pedal the famous Route des Vins in Alsace
- Savor Michelin-starred cuisine at the riverside L'Auberge de L'Ill
Premiere Inns
Grandhotel Römerbad (1 night): A stately "cultural residence" dating from 1825, with sleek modern décor. (pool, spa)
Château d'Isenbourg (2 nights): Described by the Hideaway Report as a "hilltop medieval château-hotel overlooking vineyards and the ancient village of Rouffach in a charming corner of the Alsatian wine district." (pool, spa)
Hôtel des Berges (2 nights): A stylishly renovated 18th-century farmhouse beautifully situated on the Ill River.
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 18 | 1600 | 25 | 2200 | ||||||
| 2 | 24* | 50 | 36* | 300 | 46 | 300 | 57 | 2100 | ||
| 3 | 23* | 800 | 35 | 1100 | 45 | 1300 | 56 | 2700 | ||
| 4 | 18* | 500 | 26 | 1200 | 33 | 1300 | ||||
| 5 | 16* | 200 | 23* | 300 | 35 | 500 | 43 | 1600 | ||
| 55 | 1600 | |||||||||
| 6 | 13 | 100 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/26-31 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1300 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/16-21 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1300 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/1-6 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1300 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/15-20 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1300 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/22-27 Price: $3998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1300 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
Once again, Backroads has delivered! This was our third trip and it was fantastic. From the scenery, the biking, the leaders, the food and wine, and the inns - it was a phenomenal experience in every way. We feel we've become Backroads ambassadors as we tell everyone we know how unbelievable these trips are. It is the ideal way to vacation for us - great places, great food, lots of exercise and all we need to do is make our way over to the start location!
Our best trip ever. Absolutely perfect. A fascinating region, incredibly scenic, challenging but not overwhelming cycling, some of the best food we've ever had. I would highly highly recommend this particular trip to anyone.- San Francisco, CA
As in the past, TERRIFIC! Cannot say enough good things about the leaders both individually and as a REAL team. This was our 4th trip with Backroads and we have never been in the least way disappointed in the leaders. Quite the contrary. They are just fabulous, and these three were no exception. Whoever is responsible for choosing and training leaders should feel really proud. I ran a company--consistent excellence does not happen by chance.- Steamboat Springs, CO