Bacchus Tour’s – A festive day on foot or by bike around Marlenheim

My summary

Hiking, biking and mountain biking trails

The idea behind the event is to promote soft mobility, so you can get around on foot or by bike. There are circuits to suit all levels and tastes, and you can do them at your own pace. You can choose from

• 3 cycling routes (10, 20 and 30km)
• 2 mountain bike trails (12 and 38km)
• 4 hiking trails (from 8 to 15km).

Departure is from Marlenheim, where you can pick up a route book detailing the different circuits on offer (or simply download it). There’s no set start or finish time, and everyone does what they like, which makes it easy to spread the participants out over the routes.

Having taken part in the Bacchus Tou’s on a beautiful sunny day, the crowds were definitely there, but they didn’t get in the way once we were on the course. There were lots of people, but no traffic jams or feeling of being on a busy road.

The circuits are well-marked: all you have to do is follow the arrows on the ground (and make sure you don’t get the wrong color, as I made a little foray onto the mountain bike circuit myself :-P). It’s all very well done and easy.

The good news is that bicycles are also available for hire.

Discovering the Couronne d’Or vineyards

The routes allow you to discover the villages of the Couronne d’Or vineyards, located in the northern part of the Alsace Wine Route. The route starts in Marlenheim. I opted for the long bike route, which takes me through all the villages: Wangen, Westhoffen, Balbronn, Bergbieten, Dangolsheim, Scharrachbergheim, Kircheim and Nordheim.

I know this corner of Alsace quite well, as I live not far from it and it’s my favorite place for running and cycling, but I really enjoyed exploring it. I always wonder why the area isn’t better known, as it’s not very touristy, even though it’s really magnificent: rolling landscapes with villages nestled in vineyards, superb half-timbered houses, flowers… The whole area is postcard-worthy, a pleasure to wander through, and a regular source of delight!

Entertainment for all tastes

All along the route, festive village squares offer a variety of entertainment: concerts, sports demonstrations, children’s games, tours, and of course, wine and beer stalls, grills, various food trucks and Alsatian specialities for refreshment. As an added bonus, local designers and producers will also be exhibiting their work.

For example, I took advantage of the opportunity to do a maneuvering course (okay, it was for kids, but fun to do as an adult too!), climb the ramparts of Westhoffen and feast on Alsatian strawberries… Among others!

The atmosphere is truly convivial. Participants, whether with family or friends, enjoy a day in the great outdoors, between cultural discoveries and moments of relaxation. Isn’t that just great? As for me, I’ll definitely be back next year!