Bicycle holiday Colmar/Osthouse rally
Alsace like a postcard.
Arrival in Colmar
Arrival in Colmar, check-in at the hotel and time for free sightseeing around of the town.
You will leave Colmar heading north through Houssen and ride to Ribeauvillé, before returning to Colmar through the beautiful wine villages of Riquewihr, Turckheim and Eguisheim.
From Colmar head east to Neuf-Brisach, then continue towards the south to reach the gentle village of Ottmarsheim with its 12th century nice church. Next you enter the Hardt’s forest then you go along the Huningue’s canal to reach Mulhouse. After enjoying the historic town center of Mulhouse, you have numerous museums to visit. Trip back to Colmar by regional train.
You will ride along the cycle path of the canal to Marckolsheim on the Rhine. From there you carry on to Sélestat. This charming old town has 2 great churches: a Romanesque one and a Gothic basilica. On your way in the Alsace region you will find the unique Baroque church of Ebersmunster. Compared to the many rural villages along the way, the larger city of Benfeld and its beautiful Renaissance style Town Hall will be an impressive change. It is possible to travel directly from Colmar to Sélestat by train (optional, bikes are allowed for free).
On an asphalt cycle path along the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, you will cycle northward to Strasbourg. The cycle path ends at the 17th century Barrage Vauban. From its panoramic terrace, you have an amazing view of the old city, which you can explore via bicycle or on foot. Strasbourg owns one of France’s unique networks of cycle paths. The picturesque neighborhood “La petite France” and the magnificent Gothic cathedral are only some of the many great treasures you will come across in Strasbourg. Single-handedly you can shorten the route and take the train (optional, bikes are allowed for free).
At the foot of the Vosges peaks the vineyard start. The small but picturesque old city of Obernai is worth exploring! As is the wine-village of Barr! On the return you have the choice to visit other beautiful wine villages on the wine route, such as Mittelbergheim, Andlau, Itterswiller and Nothalten, or to shorten your itinerary to the flowered village of Stotzheim. From the many rural villages along the way, the larger city of Benfeld will be an impressive change.
This route takes you east through marshlands to the creator of this beautiful flat landscape: the Rhine. Via a large lock complex you will cycle on its other side in Germany. Through landscapes similar to the “Grand Ried”, you can make a roundtrip to the old town of Lahr. Lahr lies at the foot of the wine-hills that form the start of the mountains of the Black Forest. Over the Rhine dike, you will cycle along the marsh-forests to where you can cross with the ferry to the French border town of Rhinau. From there, it will not be far from the hotel anymore.
Departure or extension
Tour character
You will ride mainly on cycle paths, on minor agricultural tarred roads or on little secondary roads without much traffic. Two stages are a little bit hilly.
Category A: Best Western Grand Hôtel Bristol 4**** and Hôtel à la Ferme 3***
Category B: Hôtel Beauséjour 3*** and Hôtel à la Ferme 3***
Included:
- Overnight stay in chosen category
- Breakfast buffet or extended breakfast
- Luggage transfer Colmar – Osthouse
- Well developed route
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (GER, EN, FR with route maps, route description, local attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Own signposting
- 1 train ticket Mulhouse – Colmar
- GPS data is available
- Service hotline
Optional:
- Half-board evening meal (mostly multi-course, sometimes outside the property, payable with voucher)
- Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
- Colmar train station
- Strasbourg or Mulhouse/Basel airport
- Parking garage directly at the hotel, approx. CHF 30.- per week, no reservation possible, payable on spot
Things to note:
- Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
Best Western Grand Hotel Bristol
The Grand Hotel Bristol 4**** is perfectly situated to expore the historic old town of Colmar.
Beauséjour Colmar
A charming hotel, not far away from the old town.
