BR81 From the Winegrowing Piedmont to the Rhine Plain

The Route
From Eschau to Rosheim, the route crosses vast agricultural expanses, some of which are planted with cabbage, a vegetable intimately linked to Alsatian gastronomy. The land of sauerkraut begins in Geispolsheim, in the large suburbs of Strasbourg. It is in this region that almost the entirety of the national cabbage production is harvested. From Rosheim to Barr, the vine accompanies the hiker, a land of wine par excellence. Rosheim has one of the prettiest Romanesque churches in Alsace as well as the Roman House built in 1154. Obernai shines with superb architecture highlighted in the Market Square, which has retained its Renaissance layout. Between Obernai and Eichhoffen, the road reveals authentic and very welcoming wine villages, of which the Rouge d'Ottrott and the Klevener de Heiligenstein are among the specialties. The itinerary then leads quietly to Erstein, the sugar capital of Alsace, before embarking on the final stretch to Eschau via the Rhône-Rhine canal bike route. Benfeld and Erstein, small typical towns of the Grand Ried, are well worth a visit. Erstein is also home to the prestigious WURTH Museum with its exceptional contemporary art collections.