Electric bike on the Wine Route: loop from Kaysersberg (44km)
Looking for the perfect itinerary to discover the postcards of Alsace? Look no further! I'm taking you on a cycling tour of the Wine Route from Kaysersberg. A 44 km route on an electric bike (VAE) rented from Alsa Cyclo Tours, between medieval villages, vineyard panoramas and gourmet breaks.
Summary
Video preview of the bike loop
My opinion of this electric bike tour of the vineyards
Even though I know the area like the back of my hand, I never tire of it. Once again, I stopped countless times to photograph the scenery, admire a viewpoint or simply stroll through the villages , which are among the most beautiful on the Alsace Wine Route.
It’s a very comfortable route (asphalted roads, suitable for road bikes), and very safe . We’re not in the middle of cars at all, but almost exclusively on cycle paths, which makes the ride extremely pleasant. Allow the whole day to enjoy the route, with plenty of breaks!
I liked
- A magnificent tour of the Alsace vineyards
- Quality electric bikes from Alsa Cyclo Tours
- Beautiful villages to visit along the way
- Safe cycling paths
- It’s an easy route on an e-bike (if not, you’ll have to work your calves to get up there!).
I liked less
- Nothing!
Kaysersberg Loop GPX map and itinerary
Here’s the map for this cycling loop starting from Kaysersberg. If you rent a bike from Alsa Cylo Tours, you can download an app on your phone to guide you along the way. Handy if you don’t have a GPS reader!
Departure point: bike rental at Alsa Cyclo Tours in Kaysersberg
Visit Kaysersberg before (or after!) the tour
Our discovery begins in Kaysersberg. The birthplace of the famous Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer, elected Village Préféré des Français in 2017, Kaysersberg is a truly charming village. It’s very busy, but still very pleasant to walk around.
Don’t miss a visit to the historic center and the magnificent imperial castle (the Schlossberg) overlooking the valley: allow plenty of time on your return or before collecting your bikes! As an added bonus, Kaysersberg has plenty of good gourmet addresses. Read my article on visiting Kaysersberg to find out more.
Rent an electric bike in Kaysersberg: my opinion of Alsa Cyclo Tours
For the start, head straight for the Alsa Cyclo Tours store in the center of the village. This is a rental company I’ve known for a long time and have already tested several times. They mainly offer top-quality electrically-assisted bicycles ( all comfortable, well-maintained, with good battery autonomy), but also have “muscle” bikes for the more athletic.
What’s more, the team is really nice! They’ ll lend you a helmet and provide you with a variety of panniers to carry all your gear for the day. Don’t forget to reserve your bike in advance to make sure you’ll have one available: it’s easy to reserve online.
Step-by-step itinerary: the heart of the Alsace Wine Route
Stage 1: From Kaysersberg to Riquewihr, the pearl of the vineyards
As soon as you leave Kaysersberg, your first instinct is to take a break and turn around! The view of the village and its medieval castle is simply superb.
You’ll then pass through the beautiful fortified village of Kientzheim – home to the famous Confrérie Saint-Étienne in its castle. Admire the medieval ramparts before tackling a short climb that goes by itself on an electric bike, followed by a lovely descent to Riquewihr.
Riquewihr, classified as one of France’s most beautiful villages, richly deserves its nickname of ” Pearl of the Vineyards “. It’s a very popular tourist destination, but its architectural beauty (notably the famous Dolder tower) explains its success. But beware: it’s very crowded, and cycling through the cobbled streets is not at all comfortable. I strongly advise you to strap on your bike and explore the village on foot. For more information, visit my article on visiting Riquewihr.
Stage 2: From Hunawihr to Ribeauvillé, storks and panoramic views
Drive on to Hunawihr, another charming village surrounded by vineyards, famous for its fortified Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur church. This is also where you’ll find the Naturoparc (perfect for watching storks and otters) and the Butterfly Garden.
A few pedal strokes later, and you’re in Ribeauvillé. I particularly like this medieval town. A little less touristy than Riquewihr, it has a real local life and a multitude of pretty boutiques. In fact, if you fancy a good cup of coffee, go to Café Paula!
Here again, I recommend putting down the bikes and strolling on foot. Read my article on visiting Ribeauvillé to find out more.
Want a panoramic view of Ribeauvillé?
If you have time, leave the cycle route for a moment. Climb up to the “Passage Jeannelle” along the ramparts (this is also the starting point for the famous 3 Châteaux hike, but save that for another time!)
Put the bikes down and climb up to the Hagel vineyard on foot, and you’ll reach the terrace next to the SIPP winegrower’s big white house, enthroned among the vines. Guaranteed panoramic view of the whole of Ribeauvillé (this is the panorama shown in the photo above).
Stage 3: From Bergheim to Turckheim on the Véloroute du Vignoble (EuroVelo 5)
A cycle path then takes you to Bergheim. It’s a lovely village that I’ve always loved. Although it was voted ” Village Préféré des Français” in 2022, it has remained very quiet, untouched by the influx of tourists. Its 14th-century medieval ramparts are magnificently preserved. It’s a real pleasure to stroll around in peace and quiet. Find out more in my article on Bergheim.
After Bergheim, you joinEuroVelo 5 (the Véloroute du Vignoble d’Alsace) and descend to Turckheim, via Benwihr and Ingersheim. The trail begins with lovely views of the hillsides, then passes through woodland and skirts the Weiss and Fecht rivers. This is a very shady area, particularly pleasant on hot days!
Stage 4: Return to Kaysersberg via Turckheim, Katzenthal and Ammerschwihr
You arrive in Turckheim, another of my favorite towns. The village is superb (famous for its tradition of the Nightwatchman, who livens up summer evenings). Read my article on visiting Turckheim to find out more.
Take your time to discover it, and make the most of it to build up your strength, because the next part of the trail requires a little effort… There are two pretty climbs to reach Katzenthal.
Don’t worry, with the assistance of your electric bikes, it goes like clockwork! It’s a route I love: the view over the vineyards is splendid, and you can see the steeple of Katzenthal’s Saint-Nicolas church.
Keep your eyes peeled as you drive through Katzenthal! Katz” means “cat” in Alsatian, and you’ll have fun spotting little cat paintings all over the village.
To round off this magnificent day, all that’s left is to drive through Ammerschwihr (home of the famous Grand Cru Kaefferkopf) and then wind your way through the last rows of vines to reach your starting point in Kaysersberg.
Fancy another bike ride in Alsace?
If you prefer a shorter ride on an electric bike, I suggest two options:
- in Kaysersberg, here’s a lovely 20km walk through the vineyards
- in the southern vineyards around Eguisheim, here’s my idea for an electric bike ride in Eguisheim.
FAQ : Your practical questions about this bike tour
Where to park in Kaysersberg for the day?
Kaysersberg has several pay parking lots close to the historic center. In high season, I advise you to arrive early in the morning to find a space easily and enjoy your day.
Will the electric bike’s battery last for 45 km?
Yes, no problem at all! With a difference in altitude of around 430 m, the loop is very gentle on modern batteries. Alsa Cyclo Tours bikes have an average range of 80 to 100 km. You’ll have more than enough to make the round trip, even if you push the assistance all the way up the Katzenthal hills!
Can you do this route with a road bike?
Exactly. The surface is made up almost exclusively of asphalt cycle paths and tarmac roads. It’s a route perfectly suited to road bikes.
When is the best time to make this loop?
From late spring to early autumn (the colors in September/October are magical!). If you do it in midsummer, you’ll have to put up with the heat, but the stretch of EuroVelo 5 between Bergheim and Turckheim offers pleasant shady passages in the forest and along the Weiss and Fecht rivers for cool pedaling.
This article was written as part of a paid collaboration with Alsace Destination Tourisme. I have my writing freedom. This article contains affiliate links.