Cycling between the Villé Valley and the Alsace Wine Route (32km)

My Review of the Villé Valley – Wine Route Cycling Tour

Villé – The lively starting point of the tour

The “official” starting point of the route is Scherwiller, but I chose to start from Villé. It was a chance to explore this little town, which I’d only heard of by name, and which really surprised me: for one thing, the town is small but really charming, and it also has plenty of shops. You can tell right away that it has a real sense of local life.

I had lunch on the terrace of the Chez Wendling restaurant after cycling this circuit, and it’s a good address in Villé that I’d recommend to you! Don’t miss the Villé church and its bourgeois cemetery.

Hohwarth – Panoramic view from Saint-Gilles Church

Leaving Villé, the route starts out on small roads which are not very busy, but where cars drive quite fast, so you need to be a little careful on your bike. We start with the uphill part of the route, so that’s that 😉

We pass through Triembach-au-val and then Hohwarth, where I recommend a short detour to the church of Saint-Gilles. The climb is steep but short, and the panorama at the finish is well worth the effort: a magnificent view of the Vallée de Villé awaits you!

🗝️ Local tip: The climb is steep, so don’t hesitate to get off your bike and push it the last few meters if you need to—the view is well worth it!

Hohwarth and Châtenois – In the Land of Distilleries

Hohwarth is also home to the first distillery to be seen along the way. Why distilleries? Because the Villé valley has orchards thanks to its favourable climate! It is therefore famous for its eaux-de-vie and liqueurs. Although there aren’t as many distillers as there used to be, and there are still several distilleries in the region!

The Meyer Distillery is one of them and produces brandies, liqueurs, and—believe it or not—Alsatian whiskey! Production takes place in Howarth (where you’ll also find a shop), but the distillery’s museum is located in Châtenois. It’s called the Maison du Distillateur, which I’ve already mentioned in another blog post about distillery tours in Alsace.

You can also stop by the Nusbaumer distillery shop in Steige, which offers artisanal brandies and liqueurs.

Blienschwiller to Scherwiller – A Stop on the Wine Route

We then head down toward the Wine Route, which we rejoin in Blienschwiller before passing through Dambach-la-Ville, Dieffenthal (where you can admire the Rocher des Celtes by taking another short detour uphill), and then Scherwiller. Even though I’ve traveled this stretch of the Wine Route dozens of times, I still love it! Take the time to explore the villages along the way—they’re charming.

It can also be an opportunity to visit a winemaker along the way (I recommend Céline Metz in Blienschwiller and Achillée in Scherwiller), while remaining reasonable about the tasting, of course!

Villé Valley Bike Route – Along the Old Salt Road

After Scherwiller, you leave the Route des Vins for the Véloroute de la Vallée de Villé, which links Sélestat to Villé via the old Route du Sel that ran from Lorraine to Germany. This is a very pleasant road, with a whole section of cycle path running through the middle of the forest.

Just before leaving the Wine Route, don’t miss the two beautiful châteaux overlooking the vineyards: Ramstein and Ortenbourg are particularly visible from this part of the road, and are superb. If you feel like it, you can always put the bikes down and go for a walk, which will give you a good climb 😉 There are some great hiking trails in the area!

🗝️ Local tip: Park your bike at the start of the trail and hike up to the ruins of Ramstein and Ortenburg—the view of the Alsace plain is even more beautiful from there than it is by bike.

Thanvillé – 11th-century castle and gardens

Then it’s on to Thanvillé, with its magnificent 11th-century château and gardens. Château de Thanvillé is privately owned and hosts weddings and other events, but an association also organizes tours of the château and its gardens: a great initiative! The castle is open to visitors only as part of these guided tours, from May through September.

Neuve-Église and the Val de Villé – End of the Route

The route then ends quietly, passing through pretty little roads winding through the valley and peaceful villages like Neuve-Eglise (not so peaceful during the Décibulles music festival!).

Where can I rent a bike in Villé and the Villé Valley?

Bicycles can be rented at:

• Intersport in Villé (mountain bikes only)
• Spot4bikes in Barr (Bikes, VAE and mountain bikes)

Key Takeaways from the Villé Valley – Wine Route Cycling Tour

• A varied 32-kilometer route that combines mountain valleys, distilleries, and the Alsace Wine Route
• Allow about 2 hours and 30 minutes of cycling (not including breaks) for an elevation gain of about 430 meters: a fairly challenging route
• You can start in Scherwiller or in Villé, a small town that’s worth a visit
• Don’t miss Thanvillé Castle and the view from Saint-Gilles Church
• Be sure to reserve a bike in advance in Villé or Barr if you don’t have your own

Want to explore the Wine Route even further by bike? Check out my comprehensive guide to cycling the Alsace Wine Route!

FAQ – Your Questions About the Villé Valley – Wine Route Bicycle Tour