The stage leaves Freiburg to the west and stays in the flatlands at first. Via Umkirch, the route crosses the open Rhine plain, with fields, straight sections and the Kaiserstuhl to the north. Near Breisach, it reaches the Rhine and crosses into France. Just beyond the river, Neuf-Brisach brings its clear fortress layout before the route continues toward Colmar. The character changes after the city. Around wine villages such as Katzenthal, Niedermorschwihr and Zimmerbach, the Vosges foothills begin. The road becomes narrower and steeper, with vineyards, forest and small towns shaping the ride. The highest part comes around Trois-Épis. From there, the route drops into the Munster valley and finishes in Munster, much closer to the mountains than at the start.
