Three Countries route - Between Nature and Culture (Large loop France, Germany, and Switzerland)
The Three Countries route is a must in the Dreiland. Whether you are a fan of bike touring, day rides, or competitive cycling, you will appreciate this unusual route that allows you to "play leapfrog" with the borders of the Three Countries region.
At the crossroads of all land routes since Antiquity, the Dreiland is also a crossroads of waterways led by His Majesty the Rhine. You pedal calmly and safely along old towpaths leading through woods, allowing you to cross part of the vast state forest of the Hardt, a true Rhine forest.
Along the way, do not hesitate to explore towns and villages of the three countries and meet their inhabitants. Here, you have the unique opportunity to discover three different cultures sharing the same community of destiny on both sides of the Rhine.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Landgasthaus BahnhöfliRestaurant Pizzeria Post
Hotel Engel Liestal
Hotel Eremitage
Hotel Eremitage
Hotel Gasthof zum Ochsen
Gasthof Mühle
Safety information
To fully enjoy your stay in the region, we invite you to follow a few tips before you start:
- Carry a valid ID: some routes cross borders.
- Pack enough water and supplies in your bags.
- Check the weather forecast before leaving and bring appropriate clothing. Sunscreen and rainwear may also be useful.
- Plan your route considering everyone's physical condition. Be cautious and do not overestimate your abilities.
- For your safety, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended.
- Carry out a technical check of your bike before starting and ensure it has all mandatory equipment (lights, reflectors, bell, brakes, etc.).
- Don't forget your mobile phone, charged before departure.
- Also consider the different currencies: in Germany and France, payments are made in euros (EUR), while in Switzerland, the Swiss franc (CHF) is used.
Emergency numbers:
Dial 112 for any emergency requiring ambulance, fire brigade, or police. This is a free European number, valid also in Switzerland.
Tips and suggestions
For any questions about your cycling stay or the Three Countries region, our teams of advisors are here to welcome and assist you.
FRANCE
Tourist Office of Pays de Saint-Louis
81 rue Vauban
68128 Village-Neuf
+ 33 3 89 70 04 49
www.saintlouis-tourisme.fr
Tourist Office Sundgau at Ferrette
1a rue de la 1ère armée
68480 Ferrette
33 (0)3 89 08 23 88
www.sundgau-sud-alsace.fr
Tourist Office Sundgau at Altkirch
13 rue du château
68130 Altkirch
+33 (0)3 89 40 02 90
www.sundgau-sud-alsace.fr
Tourism and Congress Office of Mulhouse
1 avenue Robert Schumann
68100 Mulhouse
+33 (0)3 89 35 48 48
www.tourisme-mulhouse.com
GERMANY
Tourist Information Bad Bellingen
Badstraße 14
79415 Bad Bellingen
+49 (0)7635 8080
www.bad-bellingen.de
Tourism and Cultural Office Bad Säckingen
Waldshuter Straße 20
79713 Bad Säckingen
+49 (0)7761-5683-0
www.badsaeckingen.de/de/startseite
Tourist Information Efringen-Kirche
Hauptstraße 26
79588 Efringen-Kirchen
+49 (0)7628-806-0
www.efringen-kirchen.de/startseite.html
Tourist Information Kandern
Hauptstraße 18
79400 Kandern
+49 (0)76 26 / 899 - 0
www.kandern.de/index.php
Tourist Information Lörrach
Basler Straße 170
79539 Lörrach
+49 (0)7621 415-0
www.loerrach.de/Tourismus
Tourist Information Müllheim
Wilhelmstraße 14
79379 Müllheim
+49 (0)76 31 / 801 500
www.muellheim-touristik.de
Tourist Information Neuenburg am Rhein
Rathausplatz 5
79395 Neuenburg am Rhein
+49 (0)7631-9318038
www.neuenburg.de/Startseite.html
Tourist Information Rheinfelden (Baden)
Karl-Fürstenberg-Straße 17
79618 Rheinfelden (Baden)
+49 (0)7623/966 87-20
www.tourismus-rheinfelden.de/de/
Tourist Information Schopfheim
Hauptstraße 23
79650 Schopfheim
+49 (0)7622 / 396-0
www.schopfheim.de/de/Entdecken-Geniessen/Tourist-Info
SWITZERLAND
Tourist Information Basel Tourismus am Barfüsserplatz
Steinenberg 14
4051 Basel
+41 61 268 68 68
www.basel.com/fr
Baselland Tourismus
Haus der Wirtschaft - Hardstrasse 1
4133 Pratteln
+41 61 927 65 44
www.baselland-tourismus.ch
Tourist Information Sissach
Bergladen Dietisberg - Hauptstrasse 64
4450 Sissach
+49 (0)7635 8080
www.baselland-tourismus.ch/
Tourist Information Liestal
Poetenäscht - Rathausstrasse 30
4410 Liestal
+41 61921 01 25
www.baselland-tourismus.ch
Tourism Rheinfelden
Marktgasse 16
4310 Rheinfelden
+41 61 835 52 00
www.tourismus-rheinfelden.ch
Roadbook
On the German side, you travel through the sunny hills and vineyards of the Markgräflerland while the more daring challenge the slopes of the Dinkelberg with the key attraction being a breathtaking view over the entire Rhine valley.
On the Swiss Jura side, you also enjoy elevation to admire deep forests, rural landscapes, and blooming cherry trees, heralds of spring in Aargau.
From the Swiss Jura to the Alsatian Jura, there is only a step: flowered villages with beautiful Alsatian half-timbered houses, old calvaries, typical churches, green and hilly countryside; it is all the Sundgau terroir you carry with you on your luggage rack.
At the crossroads of all land routes since Antiquity, the Dreiland is also a crossroads of waterways, led by His Majesty the Rhine. You pedal calmly and safely along old towpaths that lead you through woods, allowing you to cross part of the vast state forest of the Hardt, a true Rhine forest.
Along the way, do not hesitate to explore towns and villages of the three countries and meet their inhabitants. Here, you have the unique opportunity to discover three different cultures that share the same community of destiny on both sides of the Rhine.
Hotel Ambiente
Hotel-Park Eden
Winzerstüble am Sonnenstück
Ferienwohnung am Kurpark
Ferienwohnung "Obelix" am Kurpark
Hotel Wintergarten
Ferienwohnung Lotus
Touristinformation Schliengen
Haus Wößner
Ferienwohnung Miedtank
Ferienwohnung Ute
Haus Hauber
Janz Bed & Breakfast
Tourist-Information
Haus Spreckels
Landgasthaus Bahnhöfli
Geburtshaus F. Neff
Ferienwohnung Lamm
Kirche Rötteln
Impulsiv Hotel & Sportresort
Hotel Garni Haus Martin
Ferienwohnung Regener
Haus Lange
Boardinghouse Lörrach
Ferienwohnung Inge
Drei Jungfrauen
Alte Rheinbrücke Rheinfelden
Fricktaler Museum
Rheinfelden
Fricktaler Museum
Restaurant Pizzeria Post
Storchennestturm
Restaurant Schiff
Kirche St. Agatha
Hotel Engel Liestal
Hotel Eremitage
Hotel Eremitage
Hotel Gasthof zum Ochsen
Hotel Gasthof zum Ochsen
Dornach
B&B Engeli Garni
Gasthof Mühle
Burg Landskron
Rodersdorf
Musée Paysan
Oltingue
Saint-Martin | Saint-Brice
Gare SNCF d'Altkirch
Gare SNCF de Walheim
Gare SNCF de Tagolsheim
Gare SNCF d'Illfurth
Große Kanone Zillisheim
Gare de Zillisheim
Gare SNCF de Flaxlanden
Urban Lodge
Historisches Rathaus Mulhouse
Best Western Mulhouse Salvator Centre
Public transport
By train
The cities of Mulhouse, Saint-Louis, Basel, Lörrach are accessible by TGV or TER. Many other cities are also connected to the rail network. Information and reservations available at:
- Deutsche Bahn
- CFF Switzerland
- SNCF France
Approximate travel times
- Paris-Mulhouse (3h)
- Lyon-Mulhouse (3h)
- Geneva-Basel (2h50)
- Zurich-Basel (1h)
- Karlsruhe-Basel (1h45)
- Karlsruhe-Lörrach (2h)
You can travel with your bike, free or with reservation, on many trains. Conditions vary according to the network.
By plane
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is an international airport. Flights from and to many European cities are scheduled daily.
Bus shuttles connect the Saint-Louis and Basel stations in 10 and 20 minutes respectively.
It is also possible to rent cars through various local agencies or to take a taxi.
By bus
Several bus companies operate in the Three Countries region.
For long distances: Flixbus, Eurolines
For regional trips: route planner of Baden-Württemberg, trips in Northeast Switzerland, trips in the Grand Est
For all cross-border travel in the Three Countries region, consult the TriRegio site. You can purchase a ticket valid in fare zones at the Three Countries border.
Directions
By car
The Three Countries region is located at the crossroads of many French, German, and Swiss highways.
On the French side, the region is accessible from Paris / Strasbourg via the A35 motorway and from Lyon / Belfort via the A36.
In Germany, you will need to take the A5 motorway coming from Karlsruhe / Freiburg.
Finally, in Switzerland, the A2 and A3 motorways will lead you to Basel.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Three Countries Cycling Map: https://www.troispaysavelo.fr/informations-pratiques/telecharger
Equipment
Before you leave:
- Ensure your bike is in perfect mechanical condition, including tires and brakes
- Adjust the bike correctly to your body shape
- Wearing a helmet is highly recommended
- Bring a repair kit
- Remember that traffic rules apply to cyclists at all times
- Never ride more than two abreast and keep in single file when traffic conditions require
- Respect other users as you would expect them to respect you
- Choose a route adapted to your physical abilities
- Inform your entourage of your itinerary
- Check the weather conditions
- A first aid kit is not essential but may be very useful
- Keep emergency numbers accessible
- Respect the environment by not littering food packaging along the road
- If you must return at nightfall, ensure you can see and be seen
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions