Rhône River Route: Oberwald to Geneva

4/5 (4)
7 nights
36 miles/day
Self guided from CHF 1709
Bike tour in Switzerland
Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Primarily bike paths

Rhône River Route: Oberwald to Geneva

4/5 (4)

Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Primarily bike paths

7 nights
36 miles/day

Self guided from CHF 1709
Bike tour in Switzerland

Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

  • Rhône River Route

    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.

    • A traditional lunch of Älplermagronen in Switzerland. CC:Adrian Michael
    • Lavaux Switzerland Terraced Vineyards (photo:makukuma)
    • Geneva Switzerland (photo:orkch) CC-BY-SA-2.0
    • Lavaux Switzerland Vaud Terraced Vineyards (photo:gabrielgarciamarengo)
    • Cheese fondue is a Swiss favorite. CC:Juliano Mendes
    • Castle estates around Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Marco Verch Professional@Flickr
    • Delicious wines to try! Micheiledotcom@Unsplash

    View more photos

    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.

  • Traveler photos

    • Photo 1 (photo by apitzer)
    • Jet d'Eau in Geneva (photo by apitzer)
    • The Lavaux Vineyards, Lake Geneva, and Alps (photo by apitzer)
    • Lake Geneva Boat (photo by apitzer)
    • Lake Geneva at Dusk (photo by apitzer)
    • Eurotrek Bikes (photo by apitzer)

    Rhône River Route

     Tour Description Daily Program 

  • 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 (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 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 (19 miles/30 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 (37 miles/60 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 (44 miles/65 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 (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.

    Obergesteln: Hubertus

    Brig: Hotel Stockalperhof

    Sion: Hotel Castel

    Martigny: Boutique Hotel

    Vevey: Astra Hotel

    Prangins: La Barcarolle

    Geneva: Ibis Genève Centre Lac

    Interested 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 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


    Rhône River Route

     Tour Photos Dates & Prices 

  • Dates

    Daily: May 4 - Oct 13, 2024

    Season 1: Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024

    Season 2: May 4, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024

    Prices

    Tour Package

    Season 1 Season 2
    Per person, double occupancy CHF 1709 CHF 1795
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) CHF 2348 CHF 2434

    Bike Rentals

    Standard touring bike CHF 163
    Electrically assisted bikes CHF 304

    Extra Nights, Obergesteln

    Per person, double occupancy CHF 139
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) CHF 179

    Extra Nights, Geneva

    Per person, double occupancy CHF 135
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) CHF 240

    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
    • Wine tasting in Varen
    • Navigational App
    • GPS tracks available upon request (must request in advance)

    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:

    • Standard touring bike, 27-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:
    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.


    Tour Company


    Rhône River Route

     Daily program Route Map 

  • Route Map

    Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.


    Rhône River Route

     Dates & Prices Tour Reviews 

    • 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
      • 3/5 Value
      • 1/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 2/5 Hotels or boat
      • 3/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 1/5 Tour documents
      • 1/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • 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
      • 3/5 Value
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 3/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 2/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • 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
      • 2/5 Value
      • 2/5 Included meals
      • 1/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 2/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 2/5 Ease of navigation
      • 2/5 Tour documents
      • 1/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • 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
      • Photo 1 (photo by apitzer)
      • Jet d'Eau in Geneva (photo by apitzer)
      • The Lavaux Vineyards, Lake Geneva, and Alps (photo by apitzer)
      • Lake Geneva Boat (photo by apitzer)
      • Lake Geneva at Dusk (photo by apitzer)
      • Eurotrek Bikes (photo by apitzer)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection

    Rhône River Route

     Route Map Book This Tour