Cycling routes

Rhone Route

Rhone Route bei Sierre

Obergoms

Closed

The Rhone Route traverses Valais with an impressive mountain backdrop on charming and quiet paths along the Rhone. It passes the palm promenades of Lake Geneva as well as the picturesque vineyards of Lavaux and ends in the world city of Geneva.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

840.76 km

Duration

24:00 h

Description

The route starts in Andermatt and follows the course of the Rhone to Geneva. It is 350 kilometers long and combines very different landscape types. In Valais, the route extends from Oberwald to Le Bouveret and can be completed in several daily stages. It crosses Valais with an impressive mountain backdrop on charming and quiet paths along the Rhone. The route mostly runs downhill with some climbs. From Brig, it is almost completely flat and also well suited for leisure riders.

Turn-by-turn directions

The Rhone Route begins with a solid climb from the treeless alpine pastures of the Urserental up to the Furka Pass. The dusty descent leads past the melting ice towers of the Rhone Glacier. It then goes a bit more leisurely through the Goms, the wide sunny high valley of the young Rhone. Flower meadows and the scent of resin accompany you almost to Brig, the main town of Upper Valais. The main valley widens, the sun heats the dry mountain slopes. In front of the lively towns of Sierre and Sion, a wild stretch of the Rhone spreads out on a huge debris cone; the nature reserve “Pfynwald”. The Dents du Midi dominate the mountain scenery in the lower Rhone valley. It is the world of orchards and vineyards. Lake Geneva is a small silvery sea, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and the vineyard landscapes of Lavaux and La Côte. Along the shore are the towns of Vevey, Montreux, the lively Vaud metropolis Lausanne, Nyon, and the world city of Geneva.

Start

Andermatt (1435m)

Destination

Geneva (488m)

Author's recommendation

Get an impression of the different castles along the route: Stockalperschloss in Brig, the castles of Valère and Tourbillon in Sion, the castle of Saillon or the Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva are worth a visit. For relaxed cyclists, a visit to a winemaker in one of the numerous Valais vineyards – the largest wine region in Switzerland – is recommended.

Technical information

Altitude

2429m

373m

Ascent

+5843m

Descent

-7230m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Multi-stage route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Family-friendly
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Train travelers reach Andermatt by changing in Göschenen from the hourly Interregio through the Gotthard to the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway.

Approach

Those arriving by car leave the motorway in Göschenen and reach Andermatt from there in ten minutes.

Parking

Follow the parking guidance system in Andermatt.

Equipment

Our recommendation: technically flawless bike, helmet, gloves, and bell, clothing adapted to the weather (always carry rain protection), drinks and snacks.

Safety information

Respect the rules of Swiss road traffic. Riding this route is at your own risk, any liability is excluded. Respect the flora and fauna in your surroundings. For your safety, we recommend wearing a bicycle helmet. Emergency numbers: 144 ambulance / 117 police / 1414 Rega. Assess your own skills and fitness well. Riding the different routes is fundamentally at your own responsibility.

Additional information

View this route on SchweizMobil:

No. 1: Rhone Route

Maps

Topographical maps 1:50,000 SwissTopo: 255 Susten Pass / 265 Nufenen Pass / 264 Jungfrau / 274 Visp / 273 Montana / 272 St. Maurice / 262 Rochers de Naye / 261 Lausanne / 260 St. Cergue / 270 Geneva Leisure map Switzerland: National overview map with the routes from SchweizMobil at scale 1:275,000

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

The Swisspeak Resort in Vercorin in a winter setting

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