Cycling tour between forest and vineyards around Guebwiller (25km)

Updated on 2024-07-11

Here's a lovely cycling loop that lets you enjoy both the atmosphere of the Vosges forest and the Alsatian vineyards. The local loop 924 of Alsace à vélo, entitled "Le chemin des Celtes" offers a beautiful variety of landscapes in only 25km. There is a little bit of elevation gain (about 350m), which makes it a bit more sportive than some other routes I have proposed, but it is still really accessible to everyone.

Laurène

Laurène is the blog's creator. Originally from Brittany but now living in Alsace, she has fallen in love with her adopted region and loves exploring its every nook and cranny to unearth great ideas to share with you!

Type

Bike

Distance

25km

Elevation gain

350m

Duration

2h approximately

My summary

I liked

Variety of landscapes
Magnificent panoramas on the Wine Route
Nice mythical places to see along the way

I liked a little less

Nothing!

Forest and mountain atmosphere

The “official” start is in Soultzmatt but I started the loop in Guebwiller, which is also perfect. I took the opportunity to buy my picnic lunch at La Louve grocery store, which offers great little takeaways (salads, bagels, pastries…).

After having gone along the Lauch river, we quickly leave Guebwiller to pass on small roads of villages and forest paths before joining the departmental road which makes us pass the Col du Bannstein (483m). Don’t panic when you read the word “pass”, this one is very nice: it goes up quietly for about 1km, that’s all! We’re on the road, which wasn’t very busy in the middle of the week when I was there, but I don’t know what it’s like on the weekends so just keep it in mind.

Mythical places

Along the way, you can take a few detours to admire some of the mythical places that gave the loop its name: the Saint-Gangolphe chapel in Schweighouse (patron saint of marital harmony, although reading its history I have my doubts about its legitimacy :-P), the Sainte-Marie chapel in Soultzmatt (known as the Schaefertal chapel or Val du Pâtre) or the Langstein menhir.

Vineyard atmosphere

We then arrive in Soultzmatt, home to the famous Soultzmatt springs, whose water you can drink by buying the Alsatian brand Lisbeth, and the cabaret Le Paradis des Sources. The village itself is pretty, too, and surrounded by vineyards. We are now on the Alsace Wine Route, in the Noble Valley. We also joined the Véloroute du Vignoble d’Alsace (EuroVélo 5).

Then comes the climb through the vineyards, quite steep but fast… With a panorama that is well worth the effort. In just a few minutes, you will have a magnificent view of the vineyard, its beautiful hills and its nestled villages. A splendor and a real pleasure to pedal in such a setting.

In Orschwihr, I advise you again to go slightly off course to climb the Bollenberg Hill. A super steep climb but not long and, once again, where you will be rewarded by the panorama. Take a seat in front of the chapel of the Bollenberg and enjoy… This is where I had my lunch break, the spot was just perfect.

Return to Guebwiller

Then there is not much road left to return to Guebwiller. This end of the route is easy, flat (perfect after lunch!) and winds through fields and villages. There is still time for a visit to Guebwiller if you wish!