What are the best bike rides in Strasbourg? It's easy to get out of the city and into the countryside: there's no shortage of bike tours in and around Strasbourg. I've put together a list of my favorite routes, all departing from Strasbourg. So, are you ready to pedal?
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1. Bruche Canal cycle route
The Canal de la Bruche cycle path is undoubtedly one of Strasbourg’s favorite weekend cycling routes. For my part, I must confess to having a soft spot for this canal too… I simply can’t get enough of its vegetation, its curves and its beautiful lock houses!
Join the canal directly from the center of Strasbourg, and in just a few minutes you’ll find yourself projected into a totally different atmosphere: goodbye city, hello nature! The Bruche Canal cycle route is 25km long between Strasbourg and Soultz-les-Bains, or 50km if you choose a round trip.
The only drawback to this canal is that it’s very popular. The busiest times are in the evening when people leave the office (many use it in vélotaf mode) and at weekends. You just have to cohabit with all the walkers and cyclists, as well as runners and cyclosportifs. On the whole, it goes well, you just have to watch out for others and not drive too fast 🙂
2. Au détour de l’Ill-Rhin” cycling loop
Here’s a bike tour that I think is ideal for discovering Strasbourg by bike: it combines exploration of the city and its surroundings, allowing you to discover part of the city center as well as Strasbourg’s green side.
This loop is 30km long and very easy (it’s all flat). The itinerary is really varied: you’ll pass by Strasbourg’s Grande Île, the European quarter, the port of Strasbourg, the Robertsau forest… And you can even take a swim break along the way at the Bischheim ballastière! What more could you ask for? 😉
3. Cross-border cycling loop
How about a visit to our German neighbors? Strasbourg is right on the border with Germany: all you have to do to get there is cross the Rhine, which is very easy to do. Here’s a 30km bike route I mapped out one day when I wanted to go cycling between France and Germany. It’s another flat, easy route, with only cycle paths!
It’s a very pleasant, rather bucolic walk, with little country paths on the German side and the omnipresence of water with the Rhine. You’ll also pass by the Jardin des Deux Rives, the beautiful Forêt du Neuhof and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin. Lots to discover and plenty of greenery to enjoy!
For a variation, you can also do the Parcours des Deux Rives: the route is very similar to mine, but it goes through the Neuhof Forest and then through the city on the way back, while I took the option to go along the Rhone-Rhine Canal. It is also 30km long.
4. Piste des Forts
If you’re a fan of long bike rides, the Piste des Forts is for you! This 85km Franco-German cycle route makes for a great bike ride, but don’t worry, you can easily shorten the itinerary to do just part of it. The route follows the “Ceinture des Forts“, a group of 19 forts built around Strasbourg in the aftermath of the 1870 war: so you can easily cut through the city center to reduce the number of kilometers.
This cycling tour starting from Strasbourg offers a nice variety of discoveries along the way: Jardin des Deux-Rives, Rhine forest, wild arms of the Rhine, Robertsau forest, Bruche canal, Marne au Rhin canal…And the forts, of course! A very nice ride, entirely marked out and with all the cycle tracks paved.
5. Cycling along the Canal de la Marne au Rhin
Canals from the Marne to the Rhine and from the Rhone to the Rhine
I’ve already told you about the Bruche Canal, but I mentioned it separately because it’s quite short. But we have two other major canals that pass through Strasbourg (not counting the many canals that surround the city center!): the Canal de la Marne au Rhin and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin.
These two canals are ideal for long bike trips from Strasbourg. What’s more, you won’t have to make a return trip, as it’s easy in both cases to find a station where you can cycle to and from, for example (bicycles are accepted on TER trains in Alsace). In terms of kilometers, you can really choose where to stop, depending on the distance you want to cover.
The only drawback, in my opinion, is that these two canals are very linear and can become boring if you drive too many kilometers on them… but over one or two days, with breaks for sightseeing along the way, it’s great fun!
The Canal de la Marne au Rhin is part of the European cycle routes: we are here on theEurovélo 5. Count 47km from Strasbourg to Saverne, for example, passing by Hochfelden and the Villa Météor. You can also go further and discover the Inclined Plan of Saint-Louis Arzviller but also the Valley of the lock makers.
6. Cycling along the Rhone-Rhine Canal
The Canal du Rhône au Rhin is also part of the European cycling routes: this time, we are on theEurovélo 15! You can for example go from Strasbourg to Colmar, or shorter to Sélestat, or longer to… Mulhouse or Basel!
