Traversée du Massif Vosgien — Alsace bikepacking

Mountain Biking Collection by komoot

days

2-7 h

/ day

270 mi

35,450 ft

35,850 ft

Past countless castle ruins that tell exciting stories, through picturesque valleys and alongside splashing rivers. You pedal up through the vineyards where Riesling slowly matures and stands in contrast to the rugged landscape of the Vosges hills all around. You're here for the pure nature; and with little more than a tent and a sleeping bag for luggage, you're here to get close to it. The Alsace offers the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable bikepacking trip along the German-French border.

When it comes to cycling, one thing is typical of the Vosges: It's never flat. A basic level of fitness can't do any harm in order to manage the constant ups and downs, even if the route is always easy to ride and won't present you with any technical difficulties.

And one thing is for sure: You won't get bored on the way. A 267-mile (430-kilometer) journey of discovery awaits you, taking you from traditional French agriculture to historic buildings, magnificent churches and monasteries, breathtaking plateaus with fantastic views and beautiful lake landscapes, as well as a whole lot of food: Flammkuchen, Gugelhupf, Coq au Vin or apple pie — all the delicacies that are at home here. And don't forget the Reisling.

We have arranged this Trans-Vosges-Tour in such a way that it works best for bikepacking. Both the start in Wissembourg and the end in Thann are well connected to the railway network, and we've already picked out a swimming pool at the end of your journey so you can freshen up for the return trip home. Each stage ends at a good place to spend the night, with the various day-tours ending at either a campsite or a village. All you have to do is pack up your things and get going.

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Bikepacking durch die Vogesen

265 mi

34,975 ft

34,425 ft

Last updated: December 14, 2021

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 1
Expert
06:54
44.8 mi
6.5 mph
5,425 ft
4,875 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
The first stage of the "Traversée du massiv Vosgien" - the crossing of the Vosges - starts directly on the German-French border in Wissembourg. The city is not only beautifully situated, but also a convenient starting point, because you can easily reach it by train, so that you can arrive relaxed.

No…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 2
Expert
06:23
42.6 mi
6.7 mph
4,200 ft
4,625 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Castles, rivers and a constant ups and downs - these are the relaxing conditions for the second stage of a peaceful and relaxing crossing of the Vosges Mountains near the German-French border.

At the end of this tour, you have already left the Northern Vosges behind and can look forward to the next section…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 3
Expert
07:15
49.0 mi
6.7 mph
5,550 ft
5,850 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
The further south you get, the higher are the hills of the Vosges, which also show their best side on the third leg of our Trans-Vosges tour.

Even today it is an ups and downs. You follow rivers, pass castle ruins and now and then a small town or a small town. Although you are in the midst of the beautiful…
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Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 4
Expert
05:44
36.3 mi
6.3 mph
5,000 ft
5,500 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Today, it's high. You crack the 800 meters border twice. With everything that goes with it. Crisp climbs but also great views and wonderful descents. You drive through vineyards and forests, up to castle ruins and an old monastery, down into lush river valleys.

After about 1500 meters altitude and 58…
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Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 5a
Intermediate
02:57
15.9 mi
5.4 mph
2,950 ft
1,075 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Today you can take a deep breath. Literally. Because today's stage destination is called Aubure - a picturesque village and official climatic health resort. And although Aubure is so small, you can see a lot there and get to know Alsace from its most natural side.

Alsace can be quite exhausting. That…
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Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 5b
Intermediate
03:22
19.5 mi
5.8 mph
2,925 ft
3,325 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Two times you crack the magic limit 1000 today. Thanks to moderate climbs and manageable distance this stage is still a true pleasure ride.

Towards the end of the tour, a real highlight awaits you, and you may feel the need to just stay here. Not only that cool bike park is waiting for you here. The whole…
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Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 6
Expert
04:43
27.8 mi
5.9 mph
4,175 ft
4,275 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
More Vosges is not working. Today you cycle through the "Regional Natural Park Ballons des Vosges" more or less parallel to the Vogesenkammstraße, the "Route des Crêtes", an old military road that runs west of the Vosges mountains. The good news is that while this road is a popular tourist destination…
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Bikepacking durch die Vogesen – Etappe 7
Expert
05:44
34.3 mi
6.0 mph
5,225 ft
6,350 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Before you have completely crossed the Vosges, a few highlights wait for you - in the truest sense of the word. With the leek head you climb today one of the highest mountains in the low mountain range and can enjoy a few times the great view that our route parallel to the well-known "Route des Crêtes…
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