How does traversing the Vosges Massif north to south sound to you ? We’ll spend 7 days loosely following the official Traverse of the Massif de Vosges, but getting off the beaten track to explore the richness and variety of this lesser-known corner of France.
Join a group of 10 people to live a unique experience. Bring your bike or rent ours (extra charge).
Don't have a gravel bike yet or don't want to travel with one? You can rent one directly from us for 330 euros (extra charge).
Possibility to privatise the group from 8 people - contact us for more information.
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By booking with us, you also do good for our planet!
Are you ready to take up the challenge of the Vosges Pathfinder?
From North to South, discover the thousand and one facets of the massif. This is a big challenge that will surprise more than one person, as this territory is full of fascinating and fantastic places. To accompany you, our professional guides will take you to the heart of this medium mountain range. But don't be mistaken, the psoitive incline will be there!
An intense week on the program, both physically and emotionally, which will start on Monday evening at the edge of the wooded areas dotted with medieval castles in northern Alsace. A first excursion into this little-known part of the region, rich in tales and legends.
It's up to you to write your own story through this adventure leading you to the "eye of Alsace" and an immersion in the dense spruce and fir forests near the Pays des Lacs. Your Gravel bike will take you to the places of memory of the massif for a descent through the picturesque villages of the wine road.
At the foot of the Vosges balloons, you will still need to keep your strength up to face the last hills. For this, your hosts will be at your service to prepare typical dishes of the region in a warm environment. Moments of well-being - yoga, meditation, relaxation - will allow you to disconnect to better reconnect and make the most of this unique experience in a splendid setting.
(Re)discover the richness of this territory on a Gravel bike, a real human adventure to share on the Vosges mountains!
The typical Vosgian forests we will cross during our expeditions there.
The white lake, hidden on the top of the Schlucht pass, gravel paradise in summer.
We select for you local guides, passionate about their territory.
Bike mechanic, bike shop manager and even eco-guard on the Hoeneck, our guide is the best person to help you discover Vosges mountains. Anecdotes, encounters and sharing of experiences, he/she will make sure that you have an unforgettable stay and above all that you soak up as much as possible of this fabulous territory.
Spoken languages: French, English
State certified for bike guiding (BPJEPS), he/she will make sure you are safe and will share with you various tips and tricks on how to ride the Vosgian trails.
Ride on the Graxx, the carbon Gravel bike from the French brand Origine that combines performance, versatility, and lightness (only 8.1kg).
At ease on the road as well as on paths, the Graxx filters terrain imperfections through suspension tuning. Coupled with a comfortable and secure geometry and generous tire sections, it allows for engaging routes to be undertaken safely.
Price of the rental on this trip: 100 EUR (to be paid at the time of online booking).
Discover Origine Cycles
The complete list will be sent to you a few weeks before your expedition. You will find here the few essential items that you may not have at home:
Cycling shorts with chamois to be more comfortable
Bike gloves to avoid blisters
Cycling shoes
You are about to experience a Pathfinder expedition. This is our black trail and the regions we will cross offer an environment that can sometimes be demanding depending on the weather conditions. We are in a mountainous landscapes where the cumulative elevation gain will be very significant.
For this expedition, you need to have a strong technical/cycling background and be used to riding several days in a row.
To take full advantage of this expedition, we recommend that you practice an endurance sport such as jogging, swimming or cycling on a regular basis.
Having already completed several days of cycling trips will allow you to feel more comfortable and to better enjoy the breathtaking landscapes you will cross.
By car : Meet us directly at our starting point in Wissembourg
By train : Strasbourg train station
As soon as you arrive, our teams will take care of you and drive you directly to our base camp where the beyond biking experience takes its full meaning. The disconnection can begin, do not worry about anything, we take care of everything!
On your first day, we will meet you at 3pm.
For the last day, plan a departure on Sunday at the end of the morning, the time to enjoy a well deserved rest.
Our Pathfinder expedition will end in the Remiremont region, different options for your way back:
Our team drives you back to our starting point in Wissembourg for you to grab your car back
Book a train from the Remiremont train station
Equipment
Yes, our expeditions will go on paths and small roads where neither road bikes nor mountain bikes will be suitable.
You can bring your own gravel bike or hire one from ours. Our well specced bikes with tubeless tires means a much lower risk of punctures and mechanical problems during your trip.
Practicalities
For Adventurer trips your luggage will remain at the base camp, where you will sleep each evening.
For Explorer or Pathfinder trips your luggage will be transported by us between your accommodation each day. You won't have access to it during the daytime but it will be waiting for you at the end of each days ride.
Practicalities
Recharging your batteries is essential after a day on the bike. Post ride you can relax at our base camps or partner hotels and guest houses. We have chosen them carefully for their comfort, tranquility, location and the quality of their food.
Logistic
You can cancel at any time before the start of the trip subject to payment of a cancellation fee. If the cancellation occurs:
More than 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 75% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 100%
Between 61 and 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 50% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
Between 31 and 60 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 25% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
30 days or less prior to Departure => No Refund OR Trip Credit of 50%
Please note that a Trip Credit cannot be converted to a refund at a later date.
To protect yourself against last minute cancellation, we advise you to subscribe to our cancellation insurance through our partner Chapka insurance, with a guarantee which also covers you in case of contracting the Covid-19. Please note that such insurance can only be subscribed within 48 hours following the order of your trip. Subscription link available here.
Important: the realisation of the trip is conditional on the registration of a minimum number of participants to guarantee the departure. We commit ourselves to confirm a trip at the latest 30 days before the departure date. In the event that the trip cannot take place because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be reimbursed for any sums paid but will not be entitled to any compensation. You will be informed by email whether or not a trip is confirmed.
3 full day rides from our Base Camp, the perfect way to discover the Vosges Massif and adventure gravel riding.
We’ll head straight to the « Route des Crêtes » (ridge route) for this 5 days journey in the Hautes-Vosges. Built during the First World War, we will explore around this route taking us through typical Vosges landscapes with jaw dropping views to boot.
Our team have come up with three expeditions to keep everybody happy, from regular social cyclists to bikepacking fanatics.
Between 3 and 7 days riding crisscrossing Le massif des Vosges on a gravel bike with a group of like minded riders will allow you find landscapes and views that will take your breath away. GravelUp takes care of everything during the trip, from carefully chosen accommodation to local meals and snacks ideal for a days riding.
It’s not just this care that makes our expeditions unique, its the local knowledge of our guides and the chance to visit local people and places that make for genuine and beautiful picnic spots and overnight stays. All that’s left for you to do is choose which of our trips to start with and get your gravel bike ready for an unforgettable adventure.
Download our catalogue HERE to see all our offers
