Rhine Cycle Route from Strasbourg to Kehl

The ride from Strasbourg to Kehl follows the Rhine cycle route, part of the EuroVelo 15 long-distance path, and is one of the simplest cross-border cycling trips in France. The route starts in Strasbourg's eastern districts and crosses the Passerelle des Deux Rives, a pedestrian and cycle footbridge over the Rhine, to reach the German town of Kehl in about 8 km, usually 1 to 2 hours at an easy pace. Longer rides continue along the river, north toward Gambsheim or south toward Rhinau, and can fill a full day. The terrain is flat and the path is signposted as the Veloroute du Rhin, so the activity is rated easy: no special fitness is needed, and families with children who can ride confidently can complete the Kehl leg. There is no formal age limit, though young children should be supervised near the riverbank and road crossings. Equipment is minimal. A helmet, water and a passport or ID card are advisable for the German side, even though border formalities are normally light. Bikes can be rented from Velhop, the public bike rental service in Strasbourg, which has a point at the Gare Centrale; current rates are published at velhop.strasbourg.eu. The activity is self-guided, so there is no safety briefing; riders share the path with walkers and other cyclists, should follow signs, and can reach help through the European emergency number 112 on either side of the border. Cycling is practical from April to October, when days are long and the Rhine meadows and canal paths are at their best. Conditions to avoid include heavy rain, strong wind on exposed river stretches and winter ice. Kehl offers cafes, a town centre and further links to the German cycle network, which makes the ride a straightforward way to combine two countries in a single outing from the Alsace capital.