France & Germany Family Biking
From Wine-Rich Alsace to the Black Forest
First contested by the Romans and Celts, and later by the Germans and the French, tiny Alsace showcases a compelling blend of cultures that's certain to delight your family. Here in the far eastern reaches of France, amid glacier-scoured valleys and lush farmland, you'll discover ancient towns whose feudal ruins tell of battles won and lost. Pedal through a string of idyllic wine villages along the famed Route des Vins, which hugs the misty foothills of the Vosges Mountains. Adults taste world-class rieslings and gewürztraminers while the kids visit a medieval castle. Then venture across the Rhine River and into Germany's Black Forest, a mythical area synonymous with spas, Spätburgunder and primeval pine woodlands. As for the local kid-approved highlights? Canoeing and, of course, chocolate cake!
- Explore nooks and crannies of storybook villages
- A fun-filled canoe excursion
- Kids check out a medieval castle
- Bike across the Rhine from France into Germany
- The spa town of Badenweiler, originally a Roman settlement dating from A.D. 75
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Illhaeusern, France
Meet in Strasbourg 
Shuttle to Illhaeusern, a riverside hamlet set at the foothills of the Vosges Mountains 
Bike into the verdant countryside, where rolling wine land meets rural plain, and a splendidly restored castle stands watch.
Days 2-3 Rouffach, France
Pedal past vineyards and quaint villages brimming with half-timbered houses and cheery geranium gardens Ride the Route des Vins, perhaps stopping for wine tastings en route to Riquewihr, a town that has miraculously - and beautifully - survived five centuries of warfare Strong riders up for a challenge can conquer the Vosges vaulting peaks or tackle steep hills to Ribeauvillé for a sample of delicious white wines Savor a gourmet picnic at Benedictine Murbach Abbey, founded in 727 Kids discover a Middle Age castle set high in the dense Vosges forest, while adults bike through alpine meadows or return to Rouffach for some R&R.
Days 4-6 Badenweiler, Germany
Cross the Rhine River and enter Germany's Markgräflerland wine region at the edge of the Black Forest This stunning landscape is home to some of the country's finest wines, including reds from the Spätburgunder grape Youngsters make a splash while canoeing on the gently flowing Altrhein (Old Rhine) Grown-ups ride a hilly route to Badenweiler, known for its mineral springs Indulge in a slice of the region's famed Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte - chocolate cake with cherry schnapps See how people lived in the olden days at 17th-century Bauerhaussmuseum Enjoy a final glimpse of village life on a spin past vineyards and small Black Forest hamlets.
Adult Route Rating What's this?
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Brittany & Normandy Biking Dordogne & Bordeaux Biking Loire Valley BikingOther France Trips
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France & Germany Family Biking
RHINE RIVER ELEGANCE: Premiere Inns
Hôtel des Berges
Illhaeusern, France (1 night) This stylishly renovated 18th-century farmhouse is beautifully situated on the Ill River and features individually decorated rooms.
Château d'Isenbourg
Rouffach, France (2 nights) Set among Alsatian wine-route vineyards, this refined château offers spectacular views of the Vosges foothills, Rhine Valley and Black Forest.
Hotel Römerbad
Badenweiler, Germany (2 nights) At this stately "cultural residence," you'll find spacious guest rooms with sleek modern décor, a sauna, spa and thermal swimming pool.
France & Germany Family Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Kid-Friendly Routes
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned above, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 18 miles
- 230 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 27, 50 miles
- 220 - 2680 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 22, 33, 54 miles
- 770 - 2730 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 22, 39, 47, 58 miles
- 330 - 3140 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 20, 37 miles
- 2860 - 3360 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 14 miles
- 840 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, liberal van shuttling is incorporated to facilitate our activities, and the mileage is kept moderate to allow you to spend more time exploring on your own.