The River Rhone Cycle Route From the Alps to the Mediterranean

Guide to The River Rhone Cycle Route, an 895km bicycle ride starting high in the Alps of central Switzerland and finishing at the Mediterranean Sea, near Marseille. The route— which is mostly downhill—is divided into 20 stages (averaging 45km per stage) and can be completed by most cyclists in 12-14 days. The described route uses two waymarked national cycle trails: the Swiss R1 Rhone Route and the French ViaRhôna, which together have been adopted by the ECF (European Cyclists' Federation) as EuroVélo route EV17. The guide provides detailed route descriptions and 1:150,000 mapping for each stage, together with plenty of practical advice such as preparing for the journey, transport options there and back, what to take, accommodation en route, and more. A Swiss/French glossary is also included. Taking in dramatic mountain vistas, Lake Geneva's enchanting beauty, and the coastal delights of southern France, the route showcases some of the region's most spectacular scenery, making it a veritable gem for any tour cyclist looking to stretch their legs in stunning surrounds. If a visual feast is not enough, cyclists can indulge in the gastronomic wonders of the region. And need we mention the fact that the Rhone flows through some of the greatest wine producing regions of both Switzerland and France?

Mike Wells has been a keen long-distance walker and cyclist for over 25 years. He has walked all the major British trails, the GR5 through the Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean and has explored the Italian Dolomites’ Alta Via routes. He has also walked in Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway, and Chilean Patagonia. Mike has cycled the C2C route across northern England and Lon Las Cymru in Wales, as well as the Camino to Santiago de la Compostela. He has completed an end to end traverse of Cuba, a circumnavigation of Iceland, and a trip across Lapland to the North Cape.

Map keyOverview mapIntroductionBackgroundThe Rhone Cycle RouteNatural environmentPreparationGetting there and backNavigationAccommodationFood and drinkAmenities and servicesWhat to takeSafety and emergenciesAbout this guide  The routeSwitzerlandStage 1  Furkapass to BrigStage 2  Brig to SierreStage 3  Sierre to MartignyStage 4  Martigny to MontreuxStage 5  Montreux to MorgesStage 6  Morges to GenevaStage 5A  Le Bouveret to Thonon-les-BainsStage 6A  Thonon-les-Bains to GenevaStage 7  Geneva to Seyssel  FranceStage 8  Seyssel to Champagneux damStage 9  Champagneux dam to LagnieuStage 10  Lagnieu to LyonStage 11  Lyon to VienneStage 12  Vienne to SablonsStage 13  Sablons to Tournon-sur-Rhô neStage 14  Tournon-sur-Rhô ne to ValenceStage 15  Valence to Le PouzinStage 16  Le Pouzin to Monté limarStage 17  Monté limar to  Pont-St EspritStage 18  Pont-St Esprit  to AvignonStage 19  Avignon to ArlesStage 20  Arles to Port-St Louis-du-Rhô ne  Appendix A  Stage summary tableAppendix B  Facilities summary tableAppendix C  Twelve-day scheduleAppendix  D  Tourist  information officesAppendix E  Youth hostels and gî tes d'é tapeAppendix F  Useful contacts  Appendix G  Language glossary