Road · France
Le Markstein from Guebwiller
A mountainous 23 km road cycling route from Guebwiller through Buhl, Schweighouse and Lautenbach, with 921 m of climbing over Jungfrauenkopf.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 23.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 921 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 40 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Best months
- Jul to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Guebwiller
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 921 m
- 23 km
Route description
- Guebwiller
- Buhl
- Jungfrauenkopf
- Schweighouse
- Lautenbach
- Lautenbach-Zell
- Linthal
- Sengern
This point-to-point route starts in Guebwiller at 299 m elevation and climbs 921 m over 23.3 km to reach its high point of 1188 m near Le Markstein. The main climb begins around km 3.5, extending 19.1 km at an average gradient of 4.4% with sections up to 9.7%.
The surface is mostly paved (96%), with a small portion of gravel or unpaved (3%). The route mainly follows the D 430 for 13.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes, also including quiet streets (24%), a cycle path (11%), minor road, and track. Of the fast roads, 12.5 km have speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The climbing covers 80% of the route, with 8.5 km steeper than 5% and 2.3 km over 8% gradient.
Facilities at the start include several bakeries, a supermarket, café, and greengrocer. Food and drink options off-route include a bakery at 2.1 km, a restaurant at 6.6 km, and a café close to the finish at 22.9 km. Water is available both at km 0 and 7.8 km. There is no café, shop, or water for 14.2 km from 7.9 km to 22.1 km, so provision before this stretch is advised. Other amenities include repair stands, a petrol station, toilets, and a castle near km 11.1 worth a stop. At the finish there are cafés and restaurants.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Jungfrauenkopf (19 km at 4.4 %).
- Tops out at 1,188 m, 22.5 km in.
Highlights
- Climb starts at 3.5 km with 840 m gain
- Steepest gradient up to 9.7%
- Longest main road section on D 430 (13.3 km)
- No café or shop for 14.2 km after 7.9 km
Along the route
Places passed
On the road
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jungfrauenkopf | 3.5 km | 19.1 km · 840 m · 4.4 % · max 9.7 % | 19 km · 840 m · 4.4 % | 1188 m |
Jungfrauenkopf · full ascent, starts at 3.5 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Know before you go
- 13.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 12.5 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits
- 3% gravel or unpaved surface
- No café, shop or water for 14.2 km from 7.9 km to 22.1 km
