Rhône River Route: Oberwald to Geneva
7 nights from 1920
4Cycle among scenic landscapes and visit cultural sites as your travel along the Rhone River.
Between Oberwald and Geneva, the Rhône-Route connects three completely different types of landscapes. In the Goms, the landscape is alpine and the route consists mostly of downhill rides with an occasional rise. In Brig, the Rhône valley widens - there is more sunshine here in Wallis than anywhere in Switzerland!
You'll experience another change of scenery entering into Villeneuve. With the wide, light flooded area of the Lake of Geneva on one side and the wine hills with sounding names on the other side of the route, you will cycle on through this beauty towards the city of Geneva. The Rhône-Route offers scenic and cultural variety with a flat route profile, making it perfect for casual cyclists as well.
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival at Obergesteln
Arrival in the Goms, with the remarkable sunburnt wooden houses, in the wide valley of the young Rhône.
Overnight in Obergesteln.
Day 2: Obergesteln – Brig
31 miles/50 km
In this part of Switzerland, the Rhône 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 neighboring village of Naters with information to the UNESCO World Heritage - Region Jungfrau-Aletsch.
Overnight in Brig.
Day 3: Brig – Sion
27 miles/44 km
The main valley in the Valais widens, the sun warms the dry mountain slopes. Between Leuk and Sierre, you will leave the river Rhône and drive through the vineyards to a winery. After a pleaseant wine tasting, you will continue on to the castles of Sion.
Overnight in Sion.
Day 4: Sion – Martigny
29 miles/47 km
The capital city of Sion displays its historic castles, churches, and mansions. The lower Rhône-Valley is dominated by the high-alpine scenery of the Dents du Midi- a world of fertile fruit orchards and vineyards.
Overnight in Martigny.
Day 5: Martigny – Vevey
35 miles/56 km
From the heights, a round tower guards Martigny on its bend in the Rhône. At the valley's narrowest point, St-Maurice guards golden church treasures. Experience high mountains and lowlands, Lac Léman hidden behind reeds, and defiant Schloss Chillon on the water.
Overnight in Montreux/Vevey.
Day 6: Vevey – Prangins
39 miles/63 km
Lac Léman (aka Lake Geneva), the massive, silvery lake surrounded by snowy summits and terraced vineyards, e.g. at UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux. Along the shores: Vevey, Montreux, and the metropolis of Lausanne, known as Olympia City and the center of life for the people of Vaud.
Overnight in Nyon surroundings.
Day 7: Prangins – Geneva area/Genf
16 miles/26km
Above the terraced La Côte vineyards, below on the lake the market towns of Morges, Rolle, and 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.
Day 8: Individual departure
Departure after breakfast.
Hotels
This is a sample hotel and may vary by availability.
Obergesteln: Hubertus
Brig: Hotel Stockalperhof
Sion: Hotel Elite
Martigny: Boutique Hotel
Vevey: Astra Hotel
Prangins: La Barcarolle
Genf: Kipling Manotel
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Standard touring bike
Touring Bike Country-Bike TdS
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminium
- Derailleur gear: Shimano Alivio 3x9-Gang
- Brakes: V-Brake Shimano Alivio
- Wheel size: 26"
Frame sizes:
- S = 44 cm (body height 150 - 172 cm)
- M = 50 cm (body height 172 - 186 cm)
- M = 56 cm (body height 186 - 196 cm)
Electrically-assisted bike
E-bike Flyer C-series
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminium
- Gearshift:
- built 2021: Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub gears
- built 2022: Shimano Nexus 5-speed hub gears
- Brakes: Magura HS22 (hydraulisch) rim brakes
- Suspension fork: SR Suntour NEX, 63mm
- Motor: Panasonic 36V/250W mid-engine
- Battery: Panasonic Li-Ion-Mangan 15Ah/36V (540Wh)
- Operating distance: max. 100 km
- Wheel size: 28" (size XS: 26")
- Total weight: max. 149 kg
Frame sizes:
- XS = 41 cm (body height < 160 cm)
- S = 45 cm (body height 160 - 170 cm)
- M = 50 cm (body height 170 - 180 cm)
- L = 55 cm (body height > 180 cm)
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Accessories
All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:
- Saddle bag (water-repellent), rear
- Tools
- Repair kit (with extra bicycle tube)
- Pump
- Lock
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are available on this tour but must be reserved in advance. We recommend that you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival for safety and hygiene purposes.
Surface and terrain
This route is hilly in the first sections in the high valley of Goms. From Brig, the route leads through flat areas and is suitable for leisure cyclists. From Sion you will have to face some headwinds. A highlight is the tour through the vineyards of Lavaux. In the urban sections you will have to face some traffic and busy roads.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest aiport: Zurich, Switzerland
Nearest train station: Oberwald or Fiesch Switzerland and by bus to Obergesteln
Tour end
Nearest airport and train station: Geneva, Switzerland
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Reviews
- ★★★★★ ArmannI
Nice mountain view
Good way to experiece Switzerland. More information needed regarding interesting places to visit. The first day was the most wonderful day
- What was the date of your tour?
- 26.8 - 30.8
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Icebiker1
Trip with a view
The perfect way to discover Valais. The bikes were quite new however we had to buy new pedals on one of the bikes,
- What was the date of your tour?
- 1. week of September
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Dagbjört
* It was our 3d tour that we have booked with BikeTours and always been very pleased with the organizing, until now, we are sad to say.
* We never meet anyone from the tour company and that was very strange.
* Accommodation on one of the "hotels" was very poor, very cheep hotel, that was right across the street from the train/bus station and that was very disturbing through the night.
* It was only breakfast that was incl in the price. Maybe you should considered to have dinner incl. also.- What was the date of your tour?
- 26th of august 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ apitzer
Enjoy Mountain Views, Lake Geneva, Swiss Villages, and Geneva
I went on a portion of this tour as a BikeTours.com staff member from Geneva to Lausanne and Vevey. The Lavaux Vineyards, on the Swiss side of Lake Geneva, are a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. The wine has been produced in this region since the 11th century. Alpine views and the stunning, clear Lake Geneva are other highlights. This level 2 tour is relatively flat with a few hilly sections up by the vineyards. You can experience Switzerland without having to pedal up mountains, and an e-bike makes the journey even more accessible for all. The Schweiz Mobil national network of cycling paths is well-maintained and clearly marked. In my 8 days of cycling, we were confused about signage only a handful of times. Be sure to plan for lunch or attractions before you begin cycling, as restaurants are generally only open from about 11:30 - 2:00 for lunch, and they may not be able to serve lunch at 2:00. We had to do a lot of research ourselves about site-seeing, lunch stops, and directions to each point of interest along the way. Don't miss the Old City in Geneva, the Promenade du Lac with the famous Jet d'Eau (Jet of Water), the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, or Charlie Chaplin's estate in Vevey. The combination of the lake, vineyards, mountains, French-inspired cuisine and culture, and well-marked bike route make this tour a wonderful first tour in Switzerland.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 3, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
More About This Tour
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