Cycling in Strasbourg – Discovering Strasbourg’s nature (33km)
With this bike ride in Strasbourg, I invite you to discover the city, but also the green Strasbourg that is often less well known. We're lucky to have a city surrounded by rivers and forests, so we've got to make the most of it!
Summary
- My thoughts on this bike ride in Strasbourg
- The “Au détour de l'Ill-Rhin” Loop (BL 478) – Start at Place de l'Étoile
- Cycling Along the Waterfront – Malraux Peninsula and the Port of Strasbourg
- Surrounded by nature in the Robertsau Forest – Pourtalès Castle and the Piste des Forts
- A swim break at the Bischheim gravel pit
- Return to Strasbourg by the Canal de la Marne au Rhin
- Key Takeaways from This Bike Ride
- Directions – How do I get to the starting point?
- FAQ – Your Questions About This Bike Tour in Strasbourg
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Starting point: Place de l’Etoile, in Strasbourg.
- 📏 Distance: A loop of about 33 km, almost entirely flat.
- ⏱️ Recommended duration: Allow 2 hours and 30 minutes for cycling (including photo breaks), or half a day with stops.
- 👨👩👧 Who is it for? Families, couples, and casual cyclists: the route is easy and safe, with bike paths.
- 💶 Cost: Free (excluding bike rental, if needed).
My thoughts on this bike ride in Strasbourg
I liked
- Very nice and easy walk
- Mixing city and nature
- Lots of beautiful places to stop and visit, have lunch and swim!
I liked less
- Nothing!
The “Au détour de l’Ill-Rhin” Loop (BL 478) – Start at Place de l’Étoile
This bike ride is a loop route offered by “Alsace à vélo, ” the BL 478 “Au détour de l’Ill-Rhin.” It’s a route I’ve ridden many times before, and I find it truly ideal for exploring Strasbourg by bike.
The route is easy: the 33 kilometers go by quickly, especially since the road is extremely flat. It’s therefore a ride that’s easy to enjoy with friends or family. Plus, it features points of interest that provide opportunities for pleasant breaks.
Cycling Along the Waterfront – Malraux Peninsula and the Port of Strasbourg
The bike ride starts at Strasbourg’s Place de l’Etoile and runs directly along the quays, allowing you to discover different parts of the city: the André Malraux peninsula, then the beginning of the port of Strasbourg, with its barges and containers. The port of Strasbourg is France’s 2nd largest river port, and the atmosphere is a little industrial!
We then join the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. At the junction, you will see an amazing church: it is a Russian Orthodox church, the Orthodox church of All Saints of Strasbourg, which I find sublime. Guided tours are organized there and there is also a restaurant/tea room, notice to the amateurs 😉
Surrounded by nature in the Robertsau Forest – Pourtalès Castle and the Piste des Forts
We quickly leave the canal (which we’ll find again later!) and head for the Robertsau forest, one of the city’s great lungs. We’re there in no time, and the change of scenery is total: a beautiful forest, streams, the sound of birds… There’s no doubt about it: you’re pedaling through nature! Don’t forget to stop and admire the Château de Pourtalès, which houses a hotel-restaurant.
From the forest, we follow a part of the route called La Piste des Forts, which is a French-German route of 85km (which I also recommend!).
The loop then takes us to La Wantzenau, a pretty little town on the water’s edge: we cycle along the Ill for a while. We’re about halfway along the route, and you might like to consider a lunch break here, as there are plenty of restaurants in La Wantz 🙂
A swim break at the Bischheim gravel pit
We then continue by driving through fields until we reach the ballastière of Bischheim, where you can take a bathing break in the summer! Yes, we don’t have the sea in Alsace, but we have lakes and gravel pits 😉
Also on the blog
Return to Strasbourg by the Canal de la Marne au Rhin
After having taken again its bicycle and made the astonishing discovery of a Buddhist temple in Souffelweyersheim (I do not say more to you, it will be the surprise!) we find then the Canal of the Marne in the Rhine (I told you that we shall see it again!) to join Strasbourg.
We arrive by the European district, which can be the occasion to make a visit of the European Parliament, then we follow the Ill. Admire the facades, there are very beautiful buildings in this area!
We pass then in front of the church Saint-Paul then we enter on the Big Island of Strasbourg (the heart of the city center), where the itinerary makes us make a small turn to join the place of the Star, point of departure and arrival.
If you haven’t had lunch yet, feel free to check out my favorite restaurants in Strasbourg, as well as my favorite vegetarian restaurants.
Key Takeaways from This Bike Ride
- An easy, flat 33-km loop suitable for all skill levels, perfect for families and friends alike
- A route that alternates between city waterfronts, the Robertsau Forest, and a swim at the Bischheim gravel pit
- Allow about 2½ hours for the bike ride—half a day, including stops
- Good to know: There are plenty of restaurants in La Wantzenau for a lunch break halfway through your trip.
Looking for more ideas for bike rides around Strasbourg? Check out my favorite bike routes in Strasbourg.
Practical information
Departure and arrival
Place de l’Etoile in Strasbourg.
Features
- Distance: about 33 km
- Duration: about 2h30, photo breaks included (but not the picnic!)
Directions – How do I get to the starting point?
- 🚊 By tram: lines A and D, Étoile Bourse stop (or Étoile Polygone), a few minutes’ walk from Place de l’Étoile.
- 🚲 By bike: Place de l’Etoile is directly accessible via bike paths from downtown Strasbourg.
FAQ – Your Questions About This Bike Tour in Strasbourg
How long does it take to complete this bike ride in Strasbourg?
Allow about 2.5 hours of cycling for the 33-kilometer loop, including photo breaks. If you plan to have a picnic or take a swim at the Bischheim gravel pit, you should set aside half a day.
Is this bike ride suitable for children?
The route is almost entirely flat and features dedicated bike paths, making it a great option for families.
How do I get to the starting point, Place de l’Etoile?
Trams A and D stop at Étoile Bourse, just a few minutes’ walk from the starting point of the loop.
Can we go swimming during this bike ride?
Yes, the route passes by the Bischheim gravel pit, a popular swimming spot during the summer.
What is the official name of this bike route?
This is the BL 478 loop , “Au détour de l’Ill-Rhin,” listed by Alsace à Vélo; the complete GPX track is available on their website.