The Rhone Valley is, without being too twee, charming: it’s mix of rural, wine lands and alpine scenery and the pretty chalet towns, castles and cosmopolitan resorts around Lake Geneva make it a varied ride (or possibly a walk). If you start in the alpine region near Oberwald or Brig at the head of the Rhone Valley you can even assure yourself of a gently downwards sloping journey.

Beginning amongst the mountains and alpine meadows, one of the highlights is being able to see across the Rhone where you’re journey is about to take you. The first vineyard you’ll get to will probably be Visperterminen, also the highest vineyard in Europe and situated unusually amongst pine forests (try their cold climate wine, the flavours are much sharper than you will probably be expecting.). A detour via St. Leonard will take you past the subterranean lakes, or you can stay beside the Rhone and pass through Sion, a town of historicaly large proportions and dramatic architecture. Below that you begin to catch glimpses of Lake Geneva through the softening mountains and the countryside fills quite suddenly with fruit trees and more vineyards. The final legs of the trail take you along the banks of Lake Geneva, which is again nothing short of charming. It’s the kind of Europe imagined by the 18th and 19th Century. Arrange to stay in Nyon or St. Prex, both much more traditionally European than nearby Lausanne.

The whole trip will take you about six days of 50k a day, but there are plenty of route choices to make along the way.

Written by  Jake Marsden.

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