German-French Wine Experience Cycle Tour

We then continue towards Gleiszellen-Gleishorbach, known for its winding streets, picturesque vineyards, and convivial atmosphere, to Klingenmünster, where the imposing Landeck Castle offers a fantastic view over the Palatinate. In Klingenmünster, we leave the “German Wine Route” cycle path and turn onto the Klingbach Cycle Path (sign with a white bell, wave, and bicycle on a green background). On the Klingbach Cycle Route, we continue through a magnificent sea of vines, past the former railway station in Klingen, on the railway embankment via Appenhofen to Hammerschmiede and on to Billigheim-Ingenheim. Here we leave the Klingbach Cycle Route and take the 3-Bäche-Tour (3 streams and grapevine sign) towards Hergersweiler.

Behind the Wahlhof farm, we leave the 3-Bäche-Tour (3 Streams Tour). Behind the farm, we turn left, take the first dirt road on the left and then the first dirt road on the right. We continue straight ahead on this agricultural road. This takes us past the Rosenhof wine and sparkling wine estate near Steinweiler. At the end, we turn right. At the “Dreispitz” rest area, we come across the “Hof zu Hof Tour” cycle path (sign with a panorama of the town, sun and the words “Bauerntheke”). We follow this through Winden to Freckenfeld. In Freckenfeld, we turn right into Rathausgasse, then right again onto Hauptstraße, pass the historic Dampfnudeltor gate in Freckenfeld and turn left into Wattstraße. Here we come to the “PAMINA Rheinpark Nord” cycle route (yellow sign with cyclist and German-French flag). We follow this cycle path to the right towards Schaidt, which takes us south through the shady and wildly romantic Bienwald forest. In the forest, the PAMINA cycle path turns left. However, we continue straight ahead to the main road and follow the signs for the Bienwald-Bäche-Tour (sign with two trees, blue line, and green area). We turn left onto the country road and pass the Bienwaldmühle forest inn, where we can enjoy a delicious meal. At the Salmbacher Passage forest lodge, we rejoin the PAMINA-Rheinpark Nord cycle route. Here we turn right and follow the cycle path into France.

We leave the 3 brooks tour behind the Wahlhof farm. Behind the farm, we turn left, take the first dirt road to the left again and then the first dirt road to the right. We continue straight on along this agricultural road. We pass the Rosenhof wine and sparkling wine estate near Steinweiler. At the end, turn right. At the “Dreispitz” rest area, we come to the “Hof zu Hof Tour” cycle path (plaque with panoramic view of the town, sun and “Bauerntheke” sign). We follow this through Winden to Freckenfeld. In Freckenfeld, we turn right into Rathausgasse, then right again onto Hauptstraße, ride past Freckenfeld's historic Dampfnudeltor gate and turn left into Wattstraße. Here we come to the “PAMINA Rheinpark Nord” cycle route (yellow badge with cyclist and Franco-German flag). We follow this cycle path to the right to Schaidt, which leads us south through the shady and wildly romantic Bienwald forest. In the forest, the PAMINA cycle path turns left. However, we continue straight on until we reach the main road and follow the signs for the Bienwald-Bäche-Tour (sign with two trees, a blue line and a green area). We turn left onto the country road and pass the Waldgasthof Bienwaldmühle, where we can enjoy a refreshment stop. At the Salmbacher Passage forester's lodge, we rejoin the PAMINA-Rheinpark Nord cycle route. Here we turn right and follow the cycle path into France.

After crossing the border, we head towards Salmbach via Rue du Stade. Once in Salmbach, we turn right onto Rue du Bois, then left onto Rue des Fleurs. We then continue straight on the RD104 (Rue des Grands Chézeaux) towards Siegen and then Triembach.

Once in Triembach, we follow the RD645 and the new IC66 cycle route, which takes us through the Outre-Forêt region, where traditions are well preserved, particularly in Seebach, a charming village with remarkable rows of white half-timbered houses.

We leave the IC66 at the RD34 and reach Riedseltz via the RD240. This takes us to the northernmost part of the Alsace Wine Route, which includes the towns of Cleebourg, Rott, Oberhoffen, Steinseltz, Riedseltz, and Wissembourg.

We reach Ingolsheim via the RD264. After passing through the town, we turn right at the roundabout onto the RD76 towards Cleebourg. We pass through the hamlet of Bremmelbach and leave the RD76, turning left onto a small, picturesque vineyard road. We continue on the RD777 and the main street of the village of Cleebourg, a key stop on the northern section of the Alsace Wine Route. The winegrowers in the area are members of the Cleebourg wine cooperative. The Cleebourg Wine Cellar is open to the public and offers tastings and tours, as well as a range of wines of proven variety and quality. Seven Alsatian grape varieties (Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Noir) are refined, vinified, and blended. This meticulous work begins in the vineyard, with 60% of the grapes harvested by hand.

We then reach Oberhoffen by following the RD240. Once in Oberhoffen, we head north and drive along the vineyards again on the Route de Wissembourg. When we reach the RD3 crossroads, we continue straight ahead on the farm track on Oberhoff Straessel until we reach the Wissembourg cemetery. We turn left and follow Rue de la Pépinière, then Chemin de la Tuilerie. We continue straight ahead and cross the RD77 to reach Boulevard Clémenceau and the RD334.

After crossing the Lauter, we turn right onto Faubourg de Bitche and follow the peaceful river. We continue towards the town center on Quai du 24 Novembre. As both the gateway to the region and the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park, and listed among the “100 Most Beautiful Detours in France,” Wissembourg has remained a welcoming town where it is pleasant to stroll. Starting from the Abbey Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which dominates the rooftops of the old town, many neighborhoods invite you to take a walk and discover a truly remarkable architectural heritage: the Town Hall, the Maison du Sel, the Maison de l'Ami Fritz, and the Bruch neighborhood.