“A wonderful first tour in Switzerland.” —A.P.

Rhône River Route: Oberwald to Geneva

Name: Rhône River Route: Oberwald to Geneva
Brand: BikeTours.com
SKU: bt48x1396
Rating: 4 (4 reviews)

★★★★★4/5 (4)

7 nights

36 miles/day

Self guided from CHF 1709
Bike tour in Switzerland

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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.
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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
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Learn more about self-guided tours.
CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Vevey on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. CC:Foto-Falk' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-2.0 - Champagne France (photo:puggirl) CC-BY-2.0' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-4.0 - A traditional lunch of Älplermagronen in Switzerland. CC:Adrian Michael' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Geneva Switzerland (photo:orkch) CC-BY-SA-2.0' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Cheese fondue is a Swiss favorite. CC:Juliano Mendes' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-2.0 - Castle estates around Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Marco Verch Professional@Flickr' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-3.0 - A traditional Swiss Berner Platte for lunch! CC:Sandstein' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Rhône River through Geneva, Switzerland. CC:Xavier' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Switzerland is famous for its cheeses. CC:Smabs Sputzer' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva, Switzerland. CC:Patrick Denoreaz' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Läderach chocolates in Switzerland! CC:bigbirdz' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Swiss beers in the mountains. CC:Uwe Hantsch' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Wine Shop in Lavaux, Switzerland. CC:Zeynel Cebeci' data-type='image'>

CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Lake Geneva & Lavaux, Switzerland. CC:CalistaZ' data-type='image'>

Traveler photos
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: Les Nations

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, 24-speed 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, 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.

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
Reviews

Write a review
- ★★★★★ 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
  - 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

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