Cycling Without Borders – Franco-German Cycling Festival
Cross-border cycling festival between Dahner Felsenland and Alsace with car-free roads, 10 festival sites, and circuit routes of approximately 50 km
About Cycling Festival 2026
Cross-border Event
The Dahner Felsenland and the adjacent Alsace in the Bas-Rhin department share a rich common history and a vibrant cross-border coexistence. The Franco-German Cycling Festival "Cycling Without Borders" is one of the most visible symbols of this collaboration. Promoted bilingually, jointly organized, and celebrated on both sides of the border, it has established itself as a popular spring event since its inception.
Car-Free Country Roads
The special appeal of the festival lies in closing smaller country roads to car traffic. Families with children, seniors on e-bikes, sporty road cyclists, and leisurely cruisers can thus safely share the roads that are normally used by cars. The circuit routes are each about 50 kilometers long and can be cycled individually or in combination – depending on individual fitness and preference.
Ten Festival Sites as Stopovers
Ten festival sites are set up at strategic points along the routes – in Nothweiler, Bundenthal, Bobenthal, Rumbach, and Schönau on the German side, and in several locations on the French side. Local clubs serve Palatinate and Alsatian specialties – Saumagen and Flammkuchen alternate with Tarte flambée and Choucroute – cool drinks and live music create a cheerful atmosphere. Hands-on activities for children, play stations, and information booths complement the program.
Start from 10 AM
The festival begins at 10 AM and runs all day until the early evening. There is no fixed start time and no mass start – participants simply join at the festival site closest to them and cycle at their preferred pace and distance. The routes are marked on both sides, and both languages are used on the signposts.
Palatinate and Alsace in Dialogue
With the cycling festival, the two administrative bodies emphasize the connection between two regions that are closely intertwined through nature, history, and culture. The Wasgau Massif (German) and the Vosges du Nord (French) together form a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – the cycling festival makes this shared identity tangible.
Cycling Festival 2026 — edition 2026
The date of May 3, 2026, falls on the first Sunday in May, making it one of the established dates for the festival. Experience shows that this time is ideal for outdoor activities in the region – the days are long, the Wasgau Massif presents itself in full spring greenery, and the route through the Wieslauter valleys and the Palatinate Forest Nature Park offers varied landscape impressions.
The exact program for 2026, with detailed route information, a list of festival sites and their respective caterers, as well as the music program, will be communicated before the event via the Dahn Felsenland Tourist Information and the VG Dahner Felsenland.
Programme Cycling Festival 2026 2026
Program May 3, 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in spring. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years:
- From 10 AM: Closure of participating country roads to car traffic, opening of the festival sites.
- Morning: Cycling start at one of the ten festival sites, individual route choice along the marked circuit routes.
- Lunchtime: Catering at the festival sites with Palatinate Saumagen, Bratwurst, Flammkuchen, as well as Alsatian Tarte flambée, Choucroute, and regional specialties.
- Afternoon: Live music at several festival sites, hands-on activities for children, encounters between German and French participants.
- Until early evening: Festival activities at the sites, followed by reopening of the roads.
Highlights Cycling Festival 2026 2026
- Car-free country roads for one day
- Ten festival sites on both sides of the border
- 50 km circuit routes for all fitness levels
- Palatinate and Alsatian specialties
Prices Cycling Festival 2026 2026
Practical information — Cycling Festival 2026
Getting There and Starting Points
Various starting points depending on the chosen festival site: Dahn, Bundenthal, Nothweiler, Bobenthal, Rumbach, Schönau on the German side. Park-and-Ride facilities will be designated in the towns. Arrival by bike via the Wieslauter valley cycle paths is also recommended.
Road Closures
The participating country roads will be completely closed to cars for the duration of the festival (morning until early evening). Diversions will be signposted.
Notes
Free admission. Food and drinks at the festival sites are subject to a charge. Helmets recommended. Water and refreshments available at the festival sites. Family-friendly, e-bikes and cargo bikes welcome.
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