Cycle the River Rhone from the Swiss Alps to the Mediterranean Sea and experience 895km of spectacular, mostly downhill riding through Switzerland and France. Starting high at the Furkapass and finishing at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône on the Mediterranean coast, this iconic EuroVelo EV17 route is accessible to most cyclists and typically completed in 12 to 14 days.

Mike Wells's trusted Cicerone guidebook covers the full route in detail, with stage-by-stage descriptions, 1:150,000 mapping and everything you need to plan and enjoy the ride. It draws on his extensive experience of European cycle touring to provide practical advice on preparation, transport, accommodation and navigation, so you can focus on the riding once you're on the route.

• The route is divided into 20 stages averaging 45km each, with a 12-day schedule provided, making it manageable for most cyclists — an optional prologue stage from Andermatt or Oberwald takes you to the high-altitude start point at Furkapass
• Two route options are described along either the north or south shore of Lake Geneva, passing through Lausanne and Montreux or Thonon-les-Bains, giving you flexibility to tailor the ride 
• Detailed route descriptions are supported by 1:150,000 mapping for each stage, guiding you through key cities and towns including Martigny, Geneva, Lyon, Vienne, Valence, Montélimar and Avignon
• Downloadable GPX files enable easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps, so you can take in the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône, the papal city of Avignon and the Roman remains at Arles without losing your way
• Comprehensive practical chapters cover preparation, transport options, accommodation, food and drink, and what to take, alongside a facilities summary, tourist information appendix and French/German language glossary

From the Furkapass to the Mediterranean, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook provides everything you need to ride one of Europe's great river routes. Follow the Rhone from the Alps to the sea.

River Rhone Cycle Route - Quick Facts

Route: River Rhone Cycle Route (ViaRhona / EuroVelo EV17) 
Start: Furkapass, Swiss Alps (optional prologue from Andermatt or Oberwald) 
Finish: Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Mediterranean coast, France 
Total distance: 895km 
Countries: Switzerland and France 
Stages: 20, averaging 45km per stage 
Recommended duration: 12 to 14 days 
Stage breakdown: Prologue Andermatt/Oberwald to Furkapass; Stage 1 Furkapass to Brig; Stages 2–6 through the Swiss Rhone Valley to Geneva; Stages 7–20 Lyon to the Mediterranean 
Lake Geneva options: North shore (Lausanne, Morges) or south shore (Thonon-les-Bains) 
Key towns and cities: Martigny, Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva, Lyon, Vienne, Valence, Montélimar, Avignon, Arles 
Must-see highlights: Rhone Glacier, Furkapass, Château de Chillon, Lake Geneva, vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône, papal city of Avignon, Roman Arles, Camargue delta 
Surfaces: Mostly asphalt in good condition; much of the route follows dedicated off-road cycle tracks; suitable for hybrid or touring cycles 
Difficulty: Straightforward — generally downhill or level, with a few short ascents; optional prologue involves around 900m of climbing 
Mapping: 1:150,000 maps included for each stage 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Best season: April to October; Furkapass section clear of snow approximately mid-May to mid-October

Author Highlight

“After crossing into France, the ViaRhôna is followed firstly along the south side of Lake Geneva, then through a deep limestone gorge between the Jura mountains and the Savoy Alps. After passing through Lyon, France’s second city, it turns south through a wider gorge along the geological fault line between the Alps and Massif Central to reach the Mediterranean.”

- Mike Wells, author of The River Rhone Cycle Route

CONTENTS

Map key
Overview map
Preface to the second edition
Stage summary table
Twelve-day schedule
INTRODUCTION
Background
The Rhone Cycle Route
Natural environment
Preparation
Getting there and back
Navigation
Accommodation
Food and drink
Amenities and services
What to take
Safety and emergencies
About this guide
THE ROUTE
Switzerland
Prologue Andermatt or Oberwald to Furkapass
Stage 1 Furkapass to Brig
Stage 2 Brig to Sierre
Stage 3 Sierre to Martigny
Stage 4 Martigny to St Gingolph
Stage 5A Le Bouveret to Morges
Stage 6A Morges to Geneva
France
Stage 5 St Gingolph to Thonon-les-Bains
Stage 6 Thonon-les-Bains to Geneva
Stage 7 Geneva to Seyssel
Stage 8 Seyssel to Champagneux dam
Stage 9 Champagneux dam to Lagnieu
Stage 10 Lagnieu to Lyon
Stage 11 Lyon to Vienne
Stage 12 Vienne to Sablons
Stage 13 Sablons to Tournon-sur-Rhône
Stage 14 Tournon-sur-Rhône to Valence
Stage 15 Valence to Le Pouzin
Stage 16 Le Pouzin to Montélimar
Stage 17 Montélimar to Pont-St Esprit
Stage 18 Pont-St Esprit to Avignon
Stage 19 Avignon to Arles
Stage 20 Arles to Port-St Louis-du-Rhône
 
Appendix A Facilities summary
Appendix B Tourist information offices
Appendix C Youth hostels and gîtes d’étape
Appendix D Useful contacts
Appendix E Language glossary

Seasons

Except for the prologue and stage 1 in the high Swiss Alps, the route can be cycled between April and October. The Furkapass is free of snow from around mid-May to mid-October, allowing the route to be cycled in its entirety.

Centres

A point-to-point route passing through Martigny, Montreux, Geneva, Lyon, Vienne, Valence, Montélimar and Arles.

Difficulty

A straightforward route that is generally downhill or level (though there are a few short ascents, and the optional prologue stage involves some 900m of climbing). Mostly asphalt surfaces in good condition that are suitable for hybrid or touring cycles. Much of the route follows dedicated off-road cycle tracks, suitable for family cycling, though there are a few short sections where main roads are used.

Must See

The Rhone glacier, Furka pass, Lake Geneva, Château de Chillon, Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva, Lyon, Vienne, Valence, Montélimar, vineyards of the Côtes du Rhone, papal city of Avignon, Roman Arles, Camargue delta.

November 2022

Travelling with a cycle on Eurostar

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