The best cycling routes around Ballersdorf

Altkirch Altkirch is the historic capital of the Sundgau and lies on a striking rocky spur above the valley of the Ill. The town's origins date back to the Middle Ages. The Counts of Ferrette built Altkirch into a fortified town; from 1215 onwards, it was protected by town walls and towers. The characteristic layout, narrow streets, and remnants of the fortifications have been preserved from this medieval town plan to this day. Particularly worth seeing is the Vieille Porte, a former town gate from around 1245. For centuries, Altkirch was an important administrative and commercial center of the Sundgau. After the destructions of the Thirty Years' War, numerous buildings were newly erected. The representative town hall dates from the 18th century, built in 1778 according to plans by the Swabian architect Jean Nissler. In the 19th century, the town continued to develop: alongside its traditional importance as a market and trading place, industrial enterprises emerged, including the well-known Gilardoni brickworks. The 20th century also left its mark. After the First World War, Altkirch became part of the re-Frenchified Alsace. The memory of this period is evident, among other things, at the Vieille Porte, where a Borne Vauthier commemorates the former front line of 1918. The original Altkirch war memorial from 1927 was destroyed during the German occupation in the Second World War; preserved parts were later integrated into a new memorial. Today, Altkirch, with around 6,000 inhabitants, is an important center of the Sundgau. The historic upper town with its old houses, remnants of fortifications, the town hall, and the Sundgau Museum continues to shape the townscape. Source: Ville d’Altkirch – History of the town

The chapel Notre-Dame du Grunenwald probably dates back to the 15th century and has been an important place of pilgrimage for centuries. According to legend, children found a statue of Mary in the forest, whereupon a first chapel was built at this spot. In the 16th century, it was expanded by the Order of Saint John/Knights of Malta and later rebuilt, including in 1705. During the First World War, the chapel was severely destroyed by artillery fire. The current chapel was built between 1930 and 1933. The historical statue of Mary and some stones from the previous building have been preserved to this day.

The Ferme du Largin is located in the Swiss "corner" near Bonfol, directly at Kilomètre Zéro of the Western Front section. In the First World War, it was an important observation post for the Swiss army, which monitored the opposing French and German positions from here. The area became a meeting point for three armies in 1914–1918 – France, Germany, and Switzerland. Today, the Ferme is a working farm and the starting point of the 7.5 km long Kilomètre-Zéro circular trail, where numerous traces and fortifications of the former front can still be seen.

Beautiful cycle path here we are still on the EV6

The French and European National Cycleway is a great cycleway winding along side of the Rhine Rhone Canal with very little climbing, for those who do not like to climb. However those who are climbing shy, must be aware of the wind in this area. A lot of the locks still have the former lock man’s house which adds a bit of charm to every lock. One is never alone on this route as there is a constant passing of bicycles, both leisure and racing bikes.

No idea why I didn't write anything about this...🤔😅

Interesting railway viaduct.

Restaurant in Dannemarie on EV6.