Cycling Strasbourg’s Forts Trail

The Piste des Forts or Forts Trail is an 85km cycle route that completely surrounds the city of Strasbourg. You can pick up this route on any side of the city, and you can bicycle as little or as much as you want. This route is easy to get to from EuroVelo 15 or 5, and there are 9 tram stops that are close to the Forts Trail.  I love this trail because it’s a perfect route for simply exploring Strasbourg.  Think of a cycling beltway around Strasbourg, that’s the Piste des Forts!

Here’s a bit about the history of the route.  At the end of the 19th century, new fortifications were built around Strasbourg, which was then part of The German Empire. Two new lines of defense were built around the city, an 11km city wall and a ring of 19 forts.  Over the years since then, many of the forts have become completely overgrown, but 4 are still open to the public. So while this itinerary links all of these forts, there is really so much else to enjoy along this route.  This bike route is actually one of the best urban cycle paths I’ve ever bicycled!  If you are planning to be in Strasbourg, I encourage you to spend an afternoon or better yet, a day exploring this route.

Here are some photos from this cycle route:

The Forts Trail connects to EuroVelo 5 and EuroVelo 15 as well as other cycle paths in and around Strasbourg.  All in all, The Forts Trail is a terrific path to explore the history, heritage and natural beauty of the Strasbourg region while enjoying a great adventure by bike.