The Alsace Wine Route, stretching 170 km between Marlenheim and Thann, packs some of the most beautiful villages in France into its central section around Colmar — terrain particularly well suited to a family ride thanks to a well-developed network of cycle paths.
A loop between vineyards and half-timbered villages
Starting from Colmar, the historic capital of Alsace wine, the route quickly reaches Eguisheim, a circular village built around a castle, regularly ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. Colourful half-timbered houses and flower-lined lanes make it an unmissable stop, particularly photogenic in spring.
The route continues through the vineyards to Riquewihr, another remarkably preserved medieval village, before heading back to Colmar via a different path, passing several lesser-known but equally charming wine-growing hamlets.
How to approach the ride with kids
The main strength of this loop is the density of points of interest over a moderate distance: the gaps between villages (Colmar-Eguisheim roughly 8 km, Eguisheim-Riquewihr roughly 15 km) make it easy to break up the ride and pack in stops without tiring the kids out.
The villages themselves are mostly explored on foot: bring a decent lock and allow time to wander the lanes, which are often cobbled and not well suited to riding once you’re there.
When to go
The ideal window runs from April to October. Spring brings spectacular blossom in the vineyards and villages; autumn, harvest season, has a special atmosphere but also more weekend tourist traffic.
Good to know
Colmar has a well-connected train station and several bike rental shops used to families (kids’ bikes, trailers), making it a practical car-free base for exploring the Wine Route.