7 nights | 36 miles/day
Self guided from CHF 1279
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Rhone River Route
7 night self guided bike tour in Switzerland
Between Oberwald and Geneva, the Rhone-Route connects 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- 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 goal of Geneva. The Rhone-Route offers scenic and cultural variety with a flat route profile, making it perfect for casual cyclists as well.
Highlights
- Marvelous mountain panoramas
- Vineyards
- Lake Geneva
- The Swiss Riviera
- Achateau de Chillon
- The Olympic Museum of Lausanne
- UNESCO world heritage site "Lavaux"
- Capial city of Sion
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
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![Lavaux Switzerland (photo:vincentackermann-sarocomtemporaryartist)]()
![Geneva Switzerland (photo:pablovelasquez)]()
![Champagne France (photo:puggirl) CC-BY-2.0]()
![Rhone River Biking]()
![Beer Germany (photo:ich) CC0]()
![Lavaux Switzerland Terraced Vineyards (photo:makukuma)]()
![Riesling Germany (photo:agne27) CC-BY-SA-3.0]()
![Schnitzel Wiener (photo:kobako) CC-BY-SA-2.5]()
![Lavaux Switzerland Vaud Terraced Vineyards (photo:gabrielgarciamarengo)]()
![Switzerland Swiss Chocolate Food (photo:pushpakdsilva)]()
![Geneva Switzerland (photo:orkch) CC-BY-SA-2.0]()
![Fondue Food Switzerland (photo:angelapham)]()
![Rhone River]()
![Geneva Switzerland (photo:julienflutto)]()
![Geneva Switzerland (photo:carlitabenazito)]()
![Geneva Switzerland (photo:philipppotocnik)]()
Traveler photos
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Daily program
Day 1: Arrival at Obergestein
Arrival in the Goms, with the remarkable sunburnt wooden houses, in the wide valley of the young Rhone.
Overnight in Obergestein.Day 2: Obergestein – Brig (31 miles/50 km)
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 neighboring village of Naters with information to the UNESCO World Heritage - Region Jungfrau-Aletsch.
Overnight in Brig.Day 3: Brig – Sion (37 miles/60 km)
The main valley in the Valais widens, the sun warms the dry mountain slopes. Between Leuk and Sierre, you will leave the river Rhone 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 (19 miles/30 km)
The capital city of Sion displays its historic castles, churches, and mansions. The lower Rhone-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 (37 miles/60 km)
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. 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 (44 miles/65 km)
Lac Léman, a large silver lake surrounded by snowy summits and vineyards, e.g. UNESCO World Heritage 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 (19 miles/30km)
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.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.
Hotels
This is a sample hotel and may vary by availability.
Category A: 3- and 4-star hotels
Hubertus, Obergestein
https://hotel-hubertus.ch/en/strart-en/Hotel Stockalperhof, Brig
https://www.stockalperhof.chHotel Castel, Sion
https://hotelcastel.ch/en/Hotel Vatel, Martigny
www.vatel.chLa Barcarolle, Prangins
labarcarolle.chLes Nations, Geneva
www.les-nations.hotels-geneva.orgInterested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest aiport: Zurich, Switzerland
Nearest train station: Oberwald, SwitzerlandTour end
Nearest airport and train station: Geneva, SwitzerlandTips on getting to and from your tour
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Dates
Daily: May 28-Oct 16, 2022; May 27-Sep 24, 2023
Prices
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Category A
Per person, double occupancy CHF 1279 High season surcharge CHF 66 Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room) CHF 399 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 24-speed CHF 135 Electrically assisted bikes CHF 269 Extra Nights, Geneva
Per person, double occupancy CHF 115 Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room) CHF 50 Extra Nights, Oberwald/Obergestein
Per person, double occupancy CHF 115 Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room) CHF 50 -
Tour Package
Season 1 Season 2 Per person, double occupancy CHF 1399 CHF 1465 Single use room (1 person/1 room) CHF 1838 CHF 1904 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 24-speed CHF 149 Electrically assisted bikes CHF 285 Extra Nights, Geneva
Per person, double occupancy CHF 125 Single use room (1 person/1 room) CHF 175 Extra Nights, Obergestein
Per person, double occupancy CHF 139 Single use room (1 person/1 room) CHF 179
Included services
- 7 nights accommodation
- Breakfast buffet
- Daily luggage transfers between hotels(2 pieces of luggage per person/44lbs per suitcase)
- Guidebook and detailed tour documentation
- Service Hotline available in case of problems or questions
- GPS tracks available upon request (must request in advance)
- Wine tasting in Varen (2023)
- Subsidy for arrival by train (2023)
Note: some hotels may require visitor's tax. This is not included in your tour package, and needs to be paid directly at time of checking out.
Bike rentals
Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:
- Hybrid touring bike, 24-speed, unisex
- Electrically assisted bike*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
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
- Combination 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:
Helmet rental is available on this tour; however, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
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Route Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ ArmannI September 17, 2018
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
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★★★★★ Icebiker1 September 9, 2018
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
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★★★★★ Dagbjört September 9, 2018
* 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
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★★★★★ apitzer October 19, 2017
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
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