From Strasbourg to Colmar by bike on the Rhine Bike Route (Eurovélo 15)
The bicycle path that connects Strasbourg to Colmar via the Eurovelo 15 is an easy and rather pleasant route for cyclists who want to connect the two cities quickly, since it runs mainly along the Rhone-Rhine Canal. Let me tell you more...
My summary
I liked
- Nice bike path
- Easy because it’s flat
- Allows you to quickly connect Strasbourg to Colmar by bike
I liked less
- Less varied landscapes than on the vineyard cycle route
How to get from Strasbourg to Colmar by bike?
There are two main cycling routes to get from Strasbourg to Colmar:
- Pass through the Alsace Wine Route by taking the Véloroute du Vignoble d’Alsace (Eurovélo 5) – This is the prettiest, the most hilly and the longest route.
- Pass on the plain side by taking the Rhone-Rhine Canal bicycle route (Eurovélo 15) – This is the most direct and quickest route, but it is less interesting for tourists.
This gives us two very different routes and two very different atmospheres! Whereas the Route des Vins is very winding, passes through many villages, has a slight gradient and often shares the road with other vehicles, the Rhine cycle route is straight, flat and has a cycle path all along.
Some would also say that it’s boring. I didn’t find it so, I enjoyed walking along the canal, it’s a peaceful atmosphere that I really appreciate, but I have to admit that this long straight stretch could quickly become a bit boring if it went on too long…!
But, where it took me 3 days to go from Strasbourg to Colmar through the vineyards (with a stop to visit too, eh!), it only took me one day (with a picnic break) to do it along the Rhone to Rhine Canal. It all depends on the time you have, your desires and your level! Personally, I borrow both and enjoy both depending on the situation.
From Strasbourg to Colmar through the plain and the canals
Click here for the GPX track of this route between Strasbourg and Artzenheim. The section between Artzenheim and Colmar follows part of this local loop.
Canal du Rhône au Rhin (Eurovélo 15)
This itinerary has two parts: the Canal du Rhône au Rhin between Strasbourg and Artzenheim (Eurovélo 15) and the Canal de Colmar between Artzenheim and Colmar. From downtown Strasbourg, head for Quai Jean-Pierre Mayno, which you’ll follow in a westerly and southerly direction: this is where the Ill joins the Rhône-Rhine Canal. After that, it’s very easy – straight ahead!
Junction with the Colmar Canal
Getting to Colmar is equally simple: just leave the Rhone-Rhine Canal and take the Canal de Colmar, which leads directly into town. It’s well signposted and well laid out. I’ve already mentioned this section in my article on the local loop “From Bartholdi to Vauban”, as it also passes through the Canal de Colmar.
Another idea for a bike ride from Strasbourg
Another idea if you want to cycle along another canal from Strasbourg, the Véloroute du Canal de la Bruche: shorter and with more varied landscapes (it remains a canal but it is much less straight!).