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This suggested, mainly flat route, which mainly follows waterways,
has been defined by the author from the study of maps, except for
the part after Basel, which the author has cycled in the reverse
sense. The route follows in general, but may not follow in detail,
the bike itinerary from the Atlantic to Budapest that various European
governments are creating. When possible, this site will be updated
with information on the official itinerary. (Stars symbols in
the text show ratings given by the Michelin green guide books, which
the author likes and uses. Three stars mean worth a journey; two,
worth a detour; and one, interesting.)
You could start biking eastward at a point further north on the
Loire River. Your total distance would be less, but you would encounter
a multitude of hills.
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Itinerary:
From Digoin (hotels), on the Loire River (see on
this site, How to bicycle the Loire River Valley),
follow D994 northeast a kilometer or so from the town, and turn
right on D248. In about 12 kilometers, at the canal, turn left on
D974. Follow this northeast through Montceau-les-Mines(hotels) to
near Chagny, in the province of Burgandy(85 kilometers overall -
hotels, ***restaurant).
You could detour from Chagny to Mont de Sène**
or to the famous wine town of Beaunes*** (13 kilometers - hotels),
and/or visit the charming wine village of Chassagne-Montrachet (1
kilometer) to taste some its famous white wines at local vineyards.
From Chagny, ride in a southeasterly direction to Bellecroix,
Lessard-le-National, Virey-le-Grand, and Sassenay (17 kilometers).
Or, as a slight detour, from Virey-le-Grand continue into Chalons-sur-Saone**
(18 kilometers - hotels). Chalons-sur-Saone** has a one star restaurant.
Take D5 and D976 along the Saone River to Seurre (50 kilometers
from Chagny - hotel) and then to Losne. Take the tiny road southeast
to Aumur, then Abregement-la-Ronce, then Damparis, then Dole* (89
kilometers from Chagny, hotels).
Leave Dole by D244 and follow the various small lanes on the south
side of the Doubs River until Besancon** (about 39 kilometers from
Dole).
Alternatively, from Seurre, mentioned two paragraphs above,
take D35 to Tichey, then D110, D222 and D468 to Chaussin (15 kilometers
from Seurre- hotel).
Take D469 to Vaudrey. (32 kilometers from Seurre). Passing
either through the Forest de Chaux or to its south. The town of
Arc-et-Senans (49 kilometers from Seurre) has an inn (relais) with
lodging. Ccross into the city of Besancon** (about 82 kilometers
from Seurre), or detour via D104 and D464 to its south .
Probably the best way to exit Besancon** is to get on N83 eastward
as it leaves the city. Follow this heavy traffic road for 2 kilometers,
and turn right on D323 leading to Chalèze, and then along
the south side of the Doubs River. (Check in Besancon if there is
a way to get to Chalèze by minor roads, or the haulage path
of the Doubs.) Continue to Vaire-Arcier, cross the Doubs, cross
again at Ougney, continue to Baume-les Dames. Although the official
route will probably follow the Canal from the Rhone to the Rhine
via Montbéllard (hotels), Belfort*(hotels) and Mulhouse***
(hotels), the shorter, easier route today appears to be to leave
the valley on D19E (hill) to Crosey-le-Petit and the intersection
with D73 near Lanthenans. Follow D73 to the east (some hills), into
Switzeranland, until Porrentruy (100 kilometers from Besancon -
hotel).
From Porrentruy, one may easily bike north to the Alsace
Itinerary, as follows: Heading north northeast on small roads,
pass between Belfort and Altkirsch, then between Thann and Mulhouse
to Merxheim, Guncolsheim, Munwiller, and then take D201 and N422
(heavier traffic, bear left when possible) into Colmar*** (about
80 kilometers - many hotels).
Follow the same road (hills), essentially along the French-Swiss
border to Roschenz (just before Laufen). A tiny road leads north
to Metzerien (or you can go there via Kiffis and Wolschwiller),
and from there east to Ettingen. From Ettigen a bikeroute leads
north to the railroad station in downtown Basel. The enitre section
from Porrentruy (or nearby) to Basel is signposted as Swiss Bikeroute
#7, the Jura Route (about 56 kilometers).
At the end of the Bikeroute, in downtown Basel (many hotels) at
the train station, you have the choice of sides of the Rhine. I
recommend riding on the German side rather than the Swiss, because
the Swiss bikeroute #2 at one point follows some very rough dirt
roads in the forest (although you could, if you wish, bypass this
and save time by riding on the main highway from Rheinfelden to
Bad Säcklingen, as most traffic takes the superhighway).
From the Basel Central railway station continue north a few blocks
to the Rhine. Cross a bridge and backtrack to the bank of the Rhine.
Take the lane east along the Rhine. Signposting will eventually
lead you, using roads with almost no traffic, to the German border
and the Rhein-radweg (Rhine bikeway). The Bodensee
Itinerary discusses maps for the Basel Rhine link.
From Bad Säckingen, both countries have good biking routes
— the Swiss side is faster but less scenic. After Waldshut,
on the German side, a shortcut leads to Schaffhausen (shown in the
Esterbauer book or on a biking map), or you may follow the Rhine.
From Schaffhausen you can follow the German or Swiss side of the
Rhine to the Bodensee. See the Bodensee
Itinerary for a discussion of tourist sites and also links with
the Danube river in Germany at either Sigmaringen or Ülm, and
other routes towards Bavaria, described on this site, that also
can be linked to the Danube.
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European Bike Tours
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