Transboundary cycling circuit "Remarkable natural spaces" (PAMINA area)

Complete route description:

From Gambsheim in Alsace to the Franco-German border towards the Palatinate

The route starts at the parking lot of the Gambsheim-Rheinau fish pass. Before hopping on your bike, visit the visitor center with its permanent exhibition, observation room, and lookout tower to discover one of the largest fish passes in Europe and understand how it works.

Then continue towards Gambsheim on the RD2 to the roundabout and turn right to join EuroVelo15 – Rhine Cycle Route on the RD29 heading north to Offendorf, a small Rhine boatmen’s town with a small museum set up on a barge open in season presenting the daily life of the boatmen. You will then cross the Rossmoerder biological reserve and pass close to the Offendorf National Forest Nature Reserve, two typical yet still quite wild Rhine forests offering interesting fauna and flora.

Continuing on EuroVelo15 – Rhine Cycle Route, you will reach the Drusenheim ferry but will not take it. Turn left towards the center of Drusenheim on the RD429. You can enjoy the pleasant Altwasser gardens. Continue on the Moder Valley Cycle Route (IC23), following the river to Oberhoffen-sur-Moder. Leaving the town, you will follow the banks of the Moder to Haguenau, a dynamic and important town in northern Alsace, perfect for strolling.

Just before the roundabout at Porte de Landau, follow the signage of the bicycle loop "Discovering the Exceptional Forest" to safely reach Haguenau Forest. The Haguenau Forest is the 6th largest lowland forest massif in France spreading over 21,000 ha. A privileged relaxation spot for locals and visitors, this green lung offers many opportunities for walks and activities. Remarkable trees, ponds, bird observatories, burial mounds, war relics, the forest presents many treasures. The Gros Chêne site, at the heart of the forest, is a very popular central point for visitors with many attractions: children's playground, picnic areas, inn for food, Saint-Arbogast chapel...

On the way, take time to stop at the secret garden of Pia and Alain in Walbourg.

Reach Haguenau by following the "Exceptional Forest" loop signage. You will reach the Moder quays and then turn right onto Route de Bitche following IC21 to Mertzwiller. You will pass near Mietesheim, then Uttenhoffen where you can discover the Blue Farm Garden, labeled as Remarkable Garden.

Continue towards Gundershoffen and Reichshoffen. A small detour via Niederbronn-les-Bains is possible to discover the remarkable trees route. Once at Reichshoffen station, follow Rue du Général Koenig and IC53. You will pass along the peaceful Reichshoffen water body nature reserve.

Continue to Nehwiller. Turn left onto rue d’Alsace, then immediately right onto rue de la République - RD121 – which you will follow to Jaegerthal. Join RD53 towards Obersteinbach. Note that the Adelsberg-Lutzelhardt primeval forest has been classified as a strict nature reserve to discover very close to Obersteinbach by traveling on RD3.

Obersteinbach itself offers several points of interest: the spectacular Wachtfels and Bellevue rock formations, as well as the private ecological garden Hymnoptera, where its owner has recreated various microhabitats promoting biodiversity.

You will then cross Niedersteinbach and join the Sauer Valley Cycle Route north of Lembach, where you will continue towards Germany to Hirschthal.

From Dahner Felsenland across the Southern Wine Route to Germersheim

You will follow the signs of the Franco-German friendship circuit towards Dahner Felsenland, heading to Schönau and Fischbach. Dahner Felsenland is a fascinating Palatinate landscape marked by impressive red sandstone formations, extensive forests, and idyllic valleys inviting hiking and cycle tourism. From Fischbach to Dahn, you will follow the Biosphären-Tour markings, a route crossing picturesque nature with varied paths offering magnificent views. This route is ideal for nature lovers and amateur cyclists keen on discoveries, combining spectacular landscapes and cultural curiosities. From Dahn, you will follow the Pamina-Radweg-Lautertal signage (Euro-Cyclist logo) to Hinterweidenthal.

In Hinterweidenthal is one of the 77 national geotopes of Germany: the legendary "Teufelstisch" (Devil's Table), worth a detour. From there, continue on the Pirminius-Radweg to Hauenstein, the largest shoe village in Germany. Discover a whole shoe heritage there: the world’s largest shoe (Guinness Record 2008) at the German Shoe Museum, the Josef Seibel factory where you can watch step-by-step shoe making, and a wide choice of shops on the Deutsche Schuhmeile. From Hauenstein center, follow Hauptstraße and Weißenburgerstraße to the village exit, then turn left onto the bike path towards Lug. Crossing fields and meadows, arrive at Lug and take the castle circuit (Burgentour) to Völkersweiler.

Uniquely in Germany, the Pfälzerwald is crossed by a large band of chestnut trees. During Chestnut Days, from early October to mid-November, traditional markets and forest inns offer culinary specialties made from "Keschde" (chestnuts) along the Southern Wine Route.

Before reaching Völkersweiler, turn left to join the bike path to the village of Wernersberg. There, pass the sports field, follow Maisbachstraße, and turn right onto Wiesenstraße. Along B48, pedal to Annweiler am Trifels. Follow the Queichtal-Radweg signage through Annweiler-Queichhambach and Albersweiler to Birkweiler. Then follow a railway section, cross it, and reach Siebeldingen, where you join the German Wine Route. Follow this route through vineyards to Frankweiler. West of the path lies the Geilweilerhof Viticulture Selection Institute, where in spring, almond blossoms transform the landscape into an ocean of pink shades. The Institute focuses on creating new grape varieties adapted to the German climate, resistant to pests and diseases, while ensuring high wine quality. The Institute also owns a vineyard with wines available for sale on site.

Continue on the Wine Route to Hainfeld, where you switch to the Vom Rhein zum Wein bike path (green signage with Speyer Cathedral silhouette and grape clusters). Cross Edesheim to Großfischlingen, where you join the Südpfalz-Radweg (poppy sign). Via Kleinfischlingen, Essingen, and Bornheim (known for its stork center), you reach Offenbach an der Queich. There, turn left onto the Queichtal-Radweg (river pictogram and large Q) towards Bellheim and Germersheim.

Your route passes Ottersheim, famous for its water sharing system and the Queich meadows, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage for their traditional irrigation system. Many storks come to feed here annually. Continue through Bellheim Forest and along the Queichtal-Radweg from Knittelsheim to Bellheim and Germersheim. At the end of the Queichtal-Radweg, the Queich flows into the Rhine. Here you join EuroVelo15 – Rhine Cycle Route (blue sign with European stars and cyclist). Following this route, you cross Germersheim to the park on the Rhine bank, where you can watch boats pass. Along the Rhine, pass the Sondernheim Brickworks Museum, where you can stop for coffee, cake, or a snack.

From Germersheim, crossing the Rhine and the Kraichgau to Karlsruhe

Continue on EuroVelo15 – Rhine Cycle Route. After the Sondernheim lock keepers’ house, pedal through the unique and almost wild landscape of the Hördt floodplains to Leimersheim. Behind Leimersheim pumping station, leave EuroVelo15 and turn left to the ferry. Before boarding, take time to look right and left at an old Rhine arm with its impressive and preserved alluvial landscape. Then cross the Rhine by ferry to Leopoldshafen.

From Leopoldshafen, the route continues gently through green fields and small groves interspersed with natural areas conducive to rest. You may already spot species-rich meadows and wetlands providing refuge for many birds. Further ahead, the route winds through gentle hills towards Untergrombach. From Staffort, follow the Spargel Tour. The open landscape offers superb views of nearby Kraichgau.

At Untergrombach, at the foot of Michaelsberg, the landscape is dominated by vineyards and meadows. Climbing to the Michaelsberg summit rewards you with an impressive view over the Rhine plain, highlighting geological features of this remarkable hill. From Untergrombach, continue on the Spargel circuit to Bruchsal, home to a majestic baroque castle with gardens, and a charming public park. This section combines culture and nature particularly pleasantly. At Bruchsal, join the Badische Weinradweg (Baden Wine Cycle Route), following it to Bruchsal-Talmühle. From there, take the ÖkoRegio Tour through the gentle hills of Kraichgau to Unteröwisheim. Surrounded by vineyards and traditional orchards, this village reflects the typical cultural landscape of Kraichgau.

From Unteröwisheim, follow the Badische Weinradweg again. At Gochsheim, the local castle offers a nice insight into Renaissance architecture and the region’s viticultural history. Continue on the 3-Bäche Tour to Bahnbrücken, where you reunite with the Badische Weinradweg. The small village of Zaisenhausen, surrounded by vineyards and gentle hills, is particularly charming in autumn with its bright colors. Then reach Sulzfeld, one of many wine villages in the Weinsüden Baden-Württemberg, marked by the powerful Burg Ravensburg, famous not only for its wines but also for exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.

At Kürnbach, near the border with Württemberg, the historic center enchants with its picturesque half-timbered houses. Traditional Schwarzriesling grape is grown here, and wine tastings can be enjoyed in a warm atmosphere. From Kürnbach, continue to Oberderdingen, where vineyards, gentle hills, and an interesting town center succeed each other. From Oberderdingen, follow the Schlösser-Tour to Bretten-Rinklingen. The historic old town fascinates with half-timbered houses and the Melanchthon House recalling the reformer Philipp Melanchthon. Around the lively market square, you will find many cafés and restaurants suitable for a break.

From Bretten, continue on the Panorama Tour through rolling landscapes, agricultural paths, and quiet secondary roads to Wössingen. From there, part of the ÖkoRegio Tour leads to Pfinztal-Berghausen. Here, first follow the Stromberg-Murrtal Radweg along the railway tracks to the Durlacher Wald pumping station, then continue on the NaturRADtour through Oberwald Forest to the charming Alb River.

Through Karlsruhe and along the Alb, pass the Europabad and the Günther-Klotz-Anlage, a large park with lawns, trees, and many benches, perfect for relaxing. At Karlsruhe-Daxlanden, leave the Alb and head towards the Altrhein bridge, which you will cross. Then pass the Rappenwörth Nature Protection Center until you reach the Rheinstrandbad Rappenwörth outdoor pool, a very popular spot with locals on sunny summer days. Finally, continue towards Neuburgweier, alongside the former Rhine arm.

From Rheinstetten, crossing the Rhine to the Sauer delta in Alsace

You will reach Fermasee lake, located in the Neuburgweier Old Rhine Nature Reserve. On hot summer days, this place invites a swim break. Following the lake’s shores, you arrive near Neuburgweier. There, pass the Virgin Mary statue and turn right onto Marienstraße, then right again onto Rheinstraße, which you follow to the flood protection dike, finally reaching the Baden-Pfalz ferry. After crossing the Rhine, you join Neuburg am Rhein on the Palatinate side.

From Neuburg am Rhein landing stage, follow the signs for Rhine Cycle Route / EuroVelo 15 southwards towards France. If you wish, you can detour via Neuburg to have lunch or a drink at the floating restaurant Lautermuschel or visit the Rhine floodplain meadows museum, showing life by the river as well as typical fauna and flora of the Rhine wetland areas.

After crossing the border, follow Lauterbourg, a charming town nicknamed the Gate of France, home to one of Alsace’s most beautiful water sports bases: the Base des Mouettes. Continue on EuroVelo 15 – Rhine Cycle Route and cross the National Nature Reserve of the Sauer Delta near Munchhausen. Don’t hesitate to visit the Nature House to discover all the natural riches of this preserved territory! Then continue to the Seltz ferry, popular with cycle tourists, to cross back to the German side at Plittersdorf.

From the Sauer delta to sandy heaths, passing Bühl and the Rhine floodplain meadows back to the Gambsheim fish pass

Continuing on EuroVelo 15 / Rhine Cycle Route, you reach the ferry crossing between Seltz and Plittersdorf, bringing you back to the German shore. Continue towards Iffezheim, following Badener Straße towards Sandweier. Shortly after Kühlsee lake, take a detour to the Sandweier and Iffezheim heath and dune nature reserve. To do this, leave the cycle path after Kühlsee by turning left on Mittelfeldstraße, then follow Iffezheimer Straße around the lake.

This nature reserve is one of the most important sandy sites in Baden-Württemberg and part of the European Natura 2000 network. At the end of the last glacial period, the Rhine's gravel terraces were covered with sand, creating dunes reaching up to 15 meters high. Today, this dune and heath landscape is a precious habitat for many rare plant and animal species. You can discover this unique environment on foot thanks to the marked Düne Rundweg and Sandglöckchen Weg trails.

Returning on Iffezheimer Straße and Mittelfeldstraße, you rejoin the cycle path crossing the A5 motorway, then turn right alongside the Ooser Landgraben towards Oos-West and pass Baden-Baden station. The path continues parallel to B3, crosses B500, then goes through Halberstung and Weitenung to Bühl.

You pass through Bühl and reach Oberweier. From the village center, follow signs towards the Waldhägenich natural and landscape reserve. This natural area hosts traditional orchards where, if lucky, you may spot the little owl, old oaks inhabited by birds, and the Laufbach stream, an ideal hunting ground for various dragonflies and food source for the kingfisher. The large Hägenichsee lake is a nature-friendly fishing site. This protected site can be visited freely or on guided walks.

Then continue towards Balzhofen, where in Balzhofener Straße you find the small SCHAFraffenland farm shop offering, in addition to seasonal fruits and vegetables, sheep milk products: cheeses, yogurts, fresh breads, and even ice creams available 24/7 in refrigerated dispensers.

The route then follows K3746 / L87a to Moos. There, a short detour allows a visit to a wildlife park north of the village. At Moos, continue on Mooser Straße / L76, crossing fields and meadows to Ulm. Shortly after leaving Moos, on the right, nestled in the forest, is a small Virgin Mary grotto.

From Ulm, pedal to the charming village of Lichtenau, which marks the entry to a flowery landscape at the foot of the Black Forest. Half-timbered houses, historic churches, and lush greenery give this stage a very special charm. Then take peaceful paths through the Rhine floodplain meadows, where fauna and flora flourish freely. At Freistett, you meet the Rhine again and cross its impressive bridge. Finally, ride along the fish pass, the hydroelectric power plant, and the lock to return to France and your starting point.