Barbarossa Alsace

Individual single tour, 8 Days/ 7 Nights or 7 Days/ 6 Nights, approx. 345 km by bicycle

One of the last secrets of the bicycle paradise Alsace is the Lower Alsace. From the old imperial town Hagenau this cycle trip leads through the villages of Hanauland to Saverne, where the numerous castles of the Emperor Barbarossa are hidden. Past the lakes of the nature reserve North-Vogese and further on to picturesque half timbered villages. A part for relaxing in the town of spas Baden-Baden converts cycle holidays to recreation holidays.

Route features: The tour almost fully follows separate cycle paths or small side roads

Parking: Public car park or free parking near the hotel

Tour course
Day 1 - Hagenau
Individual arrival and city tour.

Day 2 - Hagenau – Ingwiller, approx. 50 km
North of Hagenau the holy forest is situated, where St. Arbogast the first bishop of Strassburg lived as hermit. The way through the forest of Hagenau leads to Walburg, where Friedrich Barbarossa founded an abbey and a church. On cycle paths and little side roads you cycle through decorated villages and huge farms.

Day 3 - Ingwiller – Saverne, approx. 50 km
The authentic Alsace is found along the Rhine-Marne-canal, on the cycle track to Saverne. In the “capital of roses” the castle “Petit Versailles” on the foot of the North-Vogese charms the visitors.

Day 4 - Saverne – Niederbronn les Bains, approx. 55 km
Most beautiful Alsatian romanticism in St. Jean-les-Saverne and in Neuwiller (roman church from the XI. And XII century). The small shire Bouxwiller with its knights houses is worth a visit. Via cycle paths and small side roads we travel through the villages and valleys of the Vogese to Niederbronn-les-Bains, an enchanting little thermal-resort.

Day 5 - Niederbronn-les-Bains – Lembach, approx. 50 km
Here in Niederbronn-les-Bains the country of castles starts. In the XII. Century Friedrich Barbarossa built a multitude of fortresses in this part of the Vogese. But also the forests and lakes of the biosphere-reserve of Zinswiller offer fascinating views. This night is spent at Lembach with a fortification of the Maginot line from World War II.

Day 6 - Lembach – Wissembourg, approx. 50 km
Lembach is situated on the German/French boarder in the heart of the North-Vogese. A detour to the nearby Pfalz is quite recommendable. We follow the cycle path along the river Sauer from village to village unto the round old town of Wissembourg.

Day 7 - Wissembourg – Baden-Baden, approx. 65 km
The European-cycle path along the Rhine brings us to Seltz, transfer by ferry via Plittersdorf to Rastatt. Between Rastatt and Baden-Baden you find the little “Sans-Souci” of Baden. Today's destination is the thermal-spa-town Baden-Baden, where we can recommend a break in the spa of Karakala.

Day 8 - Baden-Baden – Hagenau, approx. 49 km
After Iffezheim the Rhine is crossed and the next town is Beinhein in France. The cycle path leads further on to Soufflenheim, the well known village of pottery. After a view kilometre through the Holy Forest, Hagenau is reached. Departure in the late afternoon.

Alternative 7 Days / 6 Nights (without Baden-Baden)
This shorter alternative spares the night in Baden-Baden. Cycling directly from Wissembourg to Hagenau.

Day 7 - Wissembourg – Hagenau, approx. 49 km
Wissembourg is left on the cycle path to Seebach. The tour leads to Betchdorf, a know village of pottery on the boarders of the Hagenau forest. A cycle path through the forest brings us back to the starting point Hagenau. Departure in the late afternoon.

accommodation category: 2**-hotels (5/4 nights) and 3***-hotels (2 nights) - French classification!

Included services
Accommodation in 2**- and 3***hotels (french classification), luggage transfer, road map and tour description, information about the Alsace (currently only available in German language), E-signposting

details dates, prices, booking form, booking conditions, more information .....

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