Rhine Cycle Route (EuroVelo 15) — Strasbourg to Bâle

EuroVelo 15, the Rhine Cycle Route, follows the western bank of the Rhine from its Alpine source to the North Sea, covering 1,230 km in total. The section between Strasbourg and Basel is among the most scenically rewarding and logistically straightforward stretches of the route, spanning approximately 160 km along maintained riverside paths and minor roads with minimal elevation change.

Starting from the Port Autonome de Strasbourg in the 67000 postcode, the route heads south following the Rhine's French left bank through a succession of distinct landscapes. The first 40 km cross the Northern Alsace plain through market-garden villages and the Forêt du Rhin, a protected floodplain forest of old-growth alder and oak bordering the riverbank. Between Rhinau and Marckolsheim, the route enters the Wine Route's southern extension, where vineyard panoramas open across the rift valley towards the Black Forest escarpment in Baden-Württemberg.

At Neuf-Brisach — a UNESCO-listed military fortification designed by Vauban in the 17th century — the route briefly crosses into Germany before returning to the French bank at Vogelgrun. The southern section from Vogelgrun to Ottmarsheim follows dedicated cycling infrastructure with well-surfaced tarmac and clear EV15 waymarking. The final 30 km approach Basel along a broad riverside promenade into the Swiss city centre.

The Strasbourg–Basel stretch is graded easy: the terrain is almost entirely flat, with fewer than 200 m of cumulative elevation gain over the full 160 km. Touring and hybrid bicycles handle all surfaces without difficulty. Rental bicycles are available from Vélostrasbourg at Place de la Gare in Strasbourg at €15–€25 per day, with one-way rental to Basel available by prior arrangement for an additional drop-off fee.

Most cyclists complete the section in two days with an overnight in Colmar, Neuf-Brisach, or Mulhouse. Three-day itineraries allow time to detour into Alsatian wine villages such as Eguisheim and Turckheim. Route maps are available free from the Strasbourg tourist office; a downloadable GPX track is provided on the EuroVelo website at eurovelo.com. All main supply points — bakeries, water fountains, and pharmacies — occur every 25–35 km along the route. No trail fees apply and no permits are required for independent cycling.