Sporty cycling circuit between forests and vineyards around Rouffach
Do you fancy a varied, sporty trail that takes you along the Alsace Wine Route, but also into the forest and up into the hills? I tested the local loop 348 "Between vine and forest, at the foot of the Petit Ballon", and recommend it to you!
Summary
- My Review of the Rouffach Cycling Route—Vines, Forest, and Petit Ballon
- Gueberschwihr – Departure for the heights of the Petit Ballon
- Osenbach and the Vallée Noble – A Bucolic Getaway
- Rouffach – Its Unfinished Church and the Château d'Isenbourg
- Pfaffenheim – A bell tower that isn't universally popular
- Gueberschwihr – A Favorite Stop on the Alsace Romanesque Route
- Where can I rent a bike in Eguisheim or Vögtlinshoffen?
- Key Takeaways from This Biking Tour Around Rouffach
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Rouffach Bicycle Trail
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 The spot: A bike route between Rouffach, Gueberschwihr, and Pfaffenheim, along the Alsace Wine Route.
- ⏳ Recommended duration: Half a day (allow about 2.5 hours of cycling, not including breaks).
- 👥 Who is this for? Experienced cyclists who are fairly athletic (there’s a steep climb at the start of the route).
- 💰 Cost: Free (excluding bike rental).
My Review of the Rouffach Cycling Route—Vines, Forest, and Petit Ballon
I liked
- A varied route
- Discover beautiful villages
- A bit sporty
I liked less
- Few bicycle paths (but low traffic levels)
Gueberschwihr – Departure for the heights of the Petit Ballon
The route normally starts in Soulzmatt, but I chose to begin in Gueberschwihr. In fact, it’s the most convenient if you rent bikes from Alsa Cyclo Tours in Eguisheim, as my girlfriend did that day. We then attack the loop with the most difficult section, a beautiful 5.5km climb that’s a little steep in places, but at least it’s done 😛
The advantage is that you quickly gain elevation, which allows you to admire beautiful panoramic views of Gueberschwihr and the Wine Route below. As an added bonus, the road is quiet and very pleasant—a true oasis of greenery! Along the way, you’ll come across the Saint-Marc Convent, a beautiful Benedictine abbey that is still home today to a congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Osenbach and the Vallée Noble – A Bucolic Getaway
Then it’s a long descent through the forest to the village of Osenbach. Here we are in the lovely Vallée Noble. We’re driving along a small road in the middle of meadows, with a view of the mountains – it’s as bucolic as you could wish!
We then return to the Route des Vins. As you approach Soulzmatt, you’ll see a large building on the right: these are the Soulzmatt springs, the home of the Lisbeth brand, which you’re bound to drink at some point during your stay in Alsace. Soulzmatt is a cute little town that’s fun to drive through.
Local producers on the road
If you have a little room in your saddlebags, here are a few addresses of local producers where you can make a few gourmet stops:
- Frick Asparagus in Gundolsheim (available only from mid-April to mid-June)
- Sandrine’s yoghurts in Osenbach
- Canoie in Gueberschwihr
Also on the blog
The route then passes through the village of Westhalten, near Bollenberg Hill—which I’d already mentioned during that other bike tour around Guebwiller—and is also known for its lovely La Colline spa. The Bollenberg is a truly beautiful spot, so don’t hesitate to veer off the loop to explore it (it’s a bit of a climb, though!) or even leave your bikes behind for a walk along the Bollenberg or Stangenberg trails.
Rouffach – Its Unfinished Church and the Château d’Isenbourg
After a fairly quick drive through the Alsace plain, you’ll reach Rouffach, where I also recommend taking the time to make a short detour into the town center, which is quite pretty and features a rather unique church (it’s huge and has an unfinished tower). Along the way, you can admire the Château d’Isenbourg, a beautiful hotel with a spa that overlooks the town. However, it is currently closed for a complete renovation, with a reopening scheduled for early 2028 —so for now, you’ll only be able to admire it from the outside.
Pfaffenheim – A bell tower that isn’t universally popular
Then there’s the village of Pfaffenheim (with its astonishing concrete bell tower separate from the church, built in a totally different style… which is far from universally appreciated! Which is far from universally appreciated 😉 ) I confess I’m not convinced, but it helps to recognize the village from afar at least…
Gueberschwihr – A Favorite Stop on the Alsace Romanesque Route
After another pleasant stretch pedaling through the vineyards, we reach the village of Gueberschwihr, for which I have fallen in love. On the program: narrow cobbled streets, beautiful buildings and, the highlight, the Church of Saint Pantaléon and its imposing 36m-high bell tower, which remains from the Romanesque building erected in the 12th century. The village is also part of the Route Romane d’Alsace.
Where can I rent a bike in Eguisheim or Vögtlinshoffen?
If you don’t have your own bike, don’t worry! Two bike and VAE rental companies are located close to the route:
- Alsa Cyclo Tours in Eguisheim
- Go Bicycle in Vögtlinshoffen
Key Takeaways from This Biking Tour Around Rouffach
- A 34-km athletic trail through vineyards, forests, and quaint villages, with an elevation gain of about 500 m.
- A pastoral getaway in the Noble Valley, via Osenbach, far from the hustle and bustle of the classic Wine Route.
- Rouffach and Gueberschwihr are both worth taking the time to explore: an unfinished church on one side, a 12th-century Romanesque bell tower on the other.
- Be sure to reserve your bikes in advance, especially during peak season.
Want to extend your cycling trip along the Wine Route? Check out my comprehensive guide to cycling the Wine Route.
Practical information
Departure and arrival
Soultzmatt (or, like me, Gueberschwihr, or Rouffach)
Features
- Distance: 34km
- Ascent: approx. 500m
- Duration: approx. 2h30 (breaks not included)
Access
By car
Gueberschwihr is located in:
- 13km from Colmar (about 20 minutes)
- 35km from Mulhouse (about 30 minutes)
- 90km from Strasbourg (approx. 1h05)
By public transport
You can calculate your route on Fluo Grand Est.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rouffach Bicycle Trail
How challenging is the bike route around Rouffach?
This 34-km route is quite challenging, with about 500 m of elevation gain concentrated mainly on the first climb starting from Gueberschwihr. A good level of fitness or an e-bike is recommended.
Where can I rent a bike to do this route?
There are two bike rental shops nearby: Alsa Cyclo Tours in Eguisheim and Bicyclette Go in Vœgtlinshoffen, both of which offer standard bikes and e-bikes.
How long does it take to complete this loop by bike?
Allow about 2½ hours of cycling, not including breaks. If you plan to stop in the villages, you should set aside a full half-day.
Where should I park to start the tour?
The official starting point is in Soultzmatt, but you can just as easily start in Gueberschwihr or Rouffach, depending on where you’re renting a bike or parking your car.
This article was written as part of a paid collaboration with Alsace Destination Tourisme. I have retained complete editorial independence.