BR38 The Forts Trail

The Route
The Forts Trail is a Franco-German cycling route that combines heritage and nature on the outskirts of Strasbourg. It offers a journey of 85 km on either side of the Rhine and takes you from the hills of Hausbergen to the countryside of Ortenau, from the Rhine forests of Illkirch-Graffenstaden to that of Wantzenau, discovering the 19 structures of the "Fort Belt" built by the Germans following the war of 1870. Taking the forts trail is a delight of diverse landscapes, transitioning from the coolness of a forest to the shade of a café terrace, from half-timbered houses to lockkeeper's houses, playing hopscotch across the Rhine or even having a picnic within the walls of a fort. Among other things, it is accessible via the bike paths that run alongside the canals of Marne-Rhine, Bruche, and Rhône-Rhine. Without major difficulty, the forts trail can be explored at your own pace, in small sections or large stages, with family or friends.