Cycling routes

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Cycling routes

Castles of Sion and surroundings

The Sion Castles Tour is a demanding route with a great variety of backdrops and scenery: terraced vineyards, orchards, forests, alpine panoramas, villages and castles.

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The Sion Castles Tour takes cyclists on a delightful journey of discovery through the Sion region. The itinerary passes through the municipalities of Savièse, Grimisuat, Arbaz, Ayent and St-Léonard. The route is full of variety, with ever-changing scenery. You ride in forest, across terraced vineyards and through villages, with glorious views of the Valais mountains and the two castles that dominate the city of Sion: Valère and Tourbillon. Arbaz, at an altitude of 1,140 metres, is the highest point of this fairly demanding ride, best suited to keen cyclists in good physical shape.

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Turn-by-turn directions

The route starts with a flat section to Châteauneuf before leading upstream along the river Morge, whose source is the Sanetsch Glacier. Soon after you reach the vineyards, you embark on the first climb up towards Savièse. You then head across to Grimisuat through a variety of scenery: villages, orchards, forests and vineyards. Pause to enjoy the glorious panoramic views: across the Rhône valley you can admire the finest summits of the Valais Alps, including the magnificent Dent Blanche. The route continues climbing as far as Arbaz, highest point of this itinerary. Proceed to the village of St-Romain, part of the municipality of Ayent, and then begin the descent towards St-Léonard, largely along a narrow lane through the vineyards. The route leads along the river Lienne as far as its confluence with the Rhône, where you begin your ride back to Sion – guided by the castles of Valère and Tourbillon, which tower majestically over the capital of Valais.

Start: Sion (488 m)
Destination: Sion (488 m)

Author's recommendation

We recommend a walk around Sion’s Old Town at the foot of the castles. Also well worth a visit in the region: Derborence, Lake Tseuzier and the Val d’Hérens.

Technical information

  • Altitude

    1149 m 480 m

  • Ascent

    840 m

  • Descent

    840 m

  • Technique

    Bewertung: 2 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Stamina

    Bewertung: 2 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Experience

    Bewertung: 3 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Landscape

    Bewertung: 4 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

Best time of year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Insider tip
  • Round trip
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Family-friendly
  • Cultural/historical interest

Public transport

To reach Sion by public transport, take the train or travel on one of the many PostBus routes that serve Sion railway station.

Approach

To reach Sion by car, follow the A9 motorway through Valais. If travelling from the west, take exit 26 (Sion-Ouest), and if driving from the east, take exit 27 (Sion-Est). Follow the signs for Sion railway station.

Parking

Use the free car parks by the Rue des Échutes and on the Place des Potences.

Equipment

We recommend: bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.

Safety information

Strictly respect the Swiss traffic rules. Please note that you are running the tour at your own risk and all liability is refused. Please be considerate to plants and animals. For your own safety, wear an helmet every time you ride a bike. Emergency numbers: 144 Ambulance / 117 Police / 1414 Helicopter Rescue (Rega).

Literature

The tourist office in Sion has got brochures and information material about cycling in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1306 Sion un 1286 St. Léonard