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Rhone Route of Switzerland 7-day Self-guided Cycling Tour Level 3 (Ulrichen)
Sun, Wine and Culture: The Rhone-Route connects – between Oberwald and Geneva – three completely different types of landscapes: In the Goms, the landscape is alpine and the route consists for the most part of downhill rides with an occasional rise.
In Brig, the Rhone valley widens. Nowhere in Switzerland, is there more sunshine than here in the Wallis. Another change of scenery in Villeneuve. The wide, light flooded area of the Lake of Geneva on one side, the wine hills with sounding names on the other side of the route accompany the cyclist on his way towards the goal of Geneva.
The Rhone-Route offers scenic and cultural variety and the flat route profile makes it perfect for casual cyclists as well. First leisurely through the Goms, the wide and sunny valley of the young Rhone. Accompanied by the scent of flower fields and larch forests, you reach the alp city of Brig. The main valley is now broader and more densely populated, but only a few kilometres later, the Route leads into a natural park.
The natural park of Pfyn-Finges impresses with its unique and diverse flora and fauna. Here you can still see the Rhone in its original wildness. From the picturesque cities of Sierre and Sion, the landscape is dominated by fruit orchards and vineyards, until you reach the banks of the Lake of Geneva at Le Bouveret.
The Lake of Geneva is like a little silver ocean surrounded by snowy peaks. The marked Route leads through the wine terraces of Lavaux, that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, as well as the cities of Montreux, Vevey, the lively Waadtland metropolis Lausanne, Morges, Nyon and in the end the international city of Geneva.
Tour character:
Length | Number of stages: 350 km | 8 Stages
Roads and trails: Asphalted: 320 km, Natural surface: 30 km
Ascents | Descents: 3600 m | 4600 m
Fitness level: medium (without Furka Pass, without Ernen-Mörel)
If you would like to hire a bike (109 CHF) or e-bike (219 CHF) please contact our office when booking: [email protected]
Slow Tours offers a number of otehr Cycling Tours in Europe
Individual arrival in Oberwald / Ulrichen
Arrival in the Goms, the wide valley of the young Rhone, with the remarkable, sunburnt wooden houses.
Oberwald / Ulrichen – Brig approx. 45 - 50km
In this part of Switzerland, the Rhone is still called the Rotten. You ride through the sunny high valley towards Brig. In the evening you visit the World Nature Forum in the neighbouring village of Naters with information to the UNESCO World Heritage - Region Jungfrau-Aletsch.
Brig – Sion / Sierre approx. 60km 160 - 190 m 290 - 375 m
The main valley in the Valais widens, sun warms the dry mountain slopes. Between Leuk and Sierre an unruly part of the Rhone, and the Pfynwald, a nature reserve on a huge mound of glacier Detritus. This natural park marks also the borderline between german and french speaking Valais.
Sion / Sierre – Martingy approx. 30km
The capital Sion shows its historic castles, churches and mansions. The lower Rhonetal is dominated by the high-alpine scenery of the Dents du Midi. A world of fertile fruit orchards and vineyards.
Martigny - Montreux / Vevey approx. 50-60km
From the heights, a round tower guards Martigny on its bend in the Rhone. At the valley’s narrowest point, St-Maurice guards golden church treasures. High mountains and lowlands, Lac Léman hidden behind reeds and defiant Schloss Chillon on the water.
Morges / Nyon surroundings – Geneva, approx. 30 – 60km
Above the terraced La Côte vineyards, below on the lake the market towns of Morges, Rolle, Nyon. Open shore becomes rarer, villas and yachts larger, soon cosmopolitan Geneva greets us with boulevards and its 140m-high water fountain "Jet d'eau".
Departure or extension of your stay (ask us about extra nights)
If you prefer to drive yourself but would like to follow our itineraries and hotel choices we can help you with a brand new Renault vehicle - minimum 21 days - and have your itineraries and hotels ready for you.
Please email [email protected] for your choice of vehicle and pick-up and drop-off points in European countries.
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