Sporty bike tour around Marlenheim (33km)

My Review of the King Dagobert Vineyard Tour

A challenging and varied route – Col du Geisweg and Scharrach

At 33 km long with 516 m of elevation gain, this bike route is quite challenging (unless you’re riding an e-bike, of course, in which case it’ll be a breeze). The challenges are the two nice climbs along the way: the Col du Geisweg, which rises gradually from Cosswiller, and the Scharrach. You don’t actually climb to the top of the Scharrach—you go around it—but it’s still a decent incline. Nothing insurmountable at all, I assure you, but it’ll get your heart rate up a bit 😛

I also love the variety offered by this route: you start off on the Wine Route, then find yourself in the shade of the forest on the way to the Geisweg, with a totally different atmosphere, and then return to the Wine Route. The Vosges forest massif and the Wine Route – that’s Alsace in a nutshell!

There are quite a few road sections on this itinerary, but it’s still pretty quiet and traffic remains limited. The few cycle paths we take are also particularly pleasant: I really like the ones before and after Wasselonne, which are well shaded, as well as the small section of the Véloroute du Vignoble that we take at one point.

Exploring the Northern Part of the Wine Route – Wangen, Westhoffen, Dahlenheim

The northern part of the Route des Vins isn’t the best known, neither by visitors nor Alsatians, to be honest, but I know it well because I often come here to cycle. I don’t live far from here and I love cycling there: you can enjoy the beauty of the Wine Route scenery and pass through charming villages while enjoying the peace and quiet that reigns in this less famous part of the region! Pure joy…

The loop starts in the small town of Marlenheim and heads toward Wangen, a tiny medieval village on the Wine Route that I love. After passing through Wasselonne, Cosswiller, and the forest leading to the Geisweg Pass, you’ll rejoin the Wine Route at the charming medieval village of Westhoffen, the cherry capital of Alsace! Like Wangen, I think this is a village that deserves to be better known because it’s so beautiful. You’ll see plenty of beautiful half-timbered houses, and I’m warning you—you’ll want to stop often for photo breaks!

Then on to Traenheim, before pedaling along the famous Véloroute du Vignoble to reach Dahlenheim after a steep climb, then Kircheim and finally Marlenheim. Around Dahlenheim, you’ll find beautiful views of the vineyards and the villages nestled among them. You won’t regret the climb – it stings a little, but the reward is a beautiful panorama! As for me, even though I’m lucky enough to admire these vineyard landscapes on a regular basis, I’m still amazed every time…

Great Places to Take a Break – Farms and Bakeries Along the Route

A good cycling itinerary is also one with nice places to stop for a bite to eat, isn’t it? You’re in luck with this tour, as there are plenty of good places to pick up your strength along the way, buy a picnic or even leave with some goodies in your saddlebags. Here are four of them, in order:

• La Ferme Dettling: a farm-produce store in Westhoffen (with a 24-hour vending machine)
• La Charrue d’Or: friendly restaurant in Westhoffen
• Ferme de Traenheim: a local produce store that also has a small restaurant and tea room. Great place!
• Pâtisserie Benjamin in Marlenheim: it may not look like much from the outside, but the pastries are excellent and you can sit down in the tearoom to enjoy them.

Key Takeaways from the King Dagobert Vineyard Tour

• A route of approximately 33 km with 516 m of elevation gain, suitable for cyclists who ride regularly
• Two climbs—the Col du Geisweg and the Scharrach—with no insurmountable difficulties
• An escape nestled between the Couronne d’Or vineyards and the Vosges Forest, far from the crowds
• Four great places to eat line the route from Westhoffen to Marlenheim

Want to continue exploring the northern part of the Wine Route? Check out my list of the 17 most beautiful villages, or my article on the Bacchus Tour in Marlenheim!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Marlenheim Bicycle Tour