Green way from Rosheim to Saint-Nabor – Portes Bonheur, le Chemin des Carrières

My summary

Route of the Voie Verte from Rosheim to Saint-Nabor in Alsace

The greenway from Rosheim to Saint-Nabor is 11 km long (22 km if you do the round trip) and has a lot going for it. It’s a really fun route! Rosheim is a village on the Alsace Wine Route, not far fromObernai and Mont Sainte-Odile, and just 20 minutes from Strasbourg.

We ride the Chemin des Carrières all the way along a clean cycle path, with only regular crossings with the road. The very beginning of the greenway passes through the residential areas of Rosheim, but we soon find ourselves in the middle of nature, weaving our way through the trees while observing the varied landscapes before us: hills of the Vosges Piedmont, vineyards, cultivated fields, meadows, orchards, villages… We’re pedaling through a mosaic of natural landscapes! It’s really lovely, and you suddenly feel a bit cut off from the world!

The green way from Rosheim has an ascending profile: at first there is a slight false flat up to Ottrott (nothing really bad). Between Ottrott and Saint-Nabor, however, it climbs steeply: you will have to be patient and grind, or put your foot down, or even have an electric bike. I reassure you, it is not so long and the reward is worth it! When you arrive, you can climb up to a lookout point to get a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Then all that’s left to do is the return journey to Rosheim, which, as you’ll have guessed, this time goes all the way downhill. Is it easy?

Developments along Chemin des Carrières

The greenway from Rosheim to Saint-Nabor isn’t just another bike path. A number of features add a “little something extra”?

First of all, the imposing metal sculptures, designed by Norwegian architects Reiulf Ramstad, echo the site’s industrial past. Spectacular works of contemporary art to admire along the way!

In the same vein, unusual elements reminiscent of the old railroad line, such as railway sleepers or an old weighing scale, have been installed. Here and there, too, there are spaces to pause and admire the view. Finally, cyclists will appreciate finding tools along the route for re-inflating their bikes and carrying out minor repairs. They can always come in handy!

Of course, I mustn’t forget to mention the final belvedere, beautifully sculpted and offering a magnificent view! It gives you a bird’s-eye view of the entire route you’ve just covered (and the fun of trying to recognize the villages – not so easy!).

A little break in an Alsatian village?

Another element that I liked on this itinerary is the possibility to stop on the way to discover villages: Rosheim, starting and ending point, but also the park of the Léonardsau, Boersch or Ottrott. These are all beautiful places that are worth going out of your way to see, it doesn’t take much extra time but it is well worth it! As a bonus, you can even plan a wine tasting along the way… Go for example to the Domaine Fritz Schmitt to taste the famous Rouge d’Ottrott (yes, we also make red wine in Alsace!).

Renting of VAE

If you don’t have a bicycle, you can rent electrically assisted bicycles at theTourist Office of Mont Sainte-Odile in Rosheim or Ottrott. It is convenient because it will only be a few hundred meters to reach the beginning of the greenway, which is located in front of the sports complex of Neuland.