Tour du Léman
Overview
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Distance 45 km
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Ascent 560 m
Intro
After the Olympic capital of Lausanne, the route leads uphill into the terraced vineyards of Lauvaux. A bracing section but one rewarded by the wonderful surroundings of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Then follows the descent to Vevey, Montreux and the romantic Schloss Chillon.
Description
A train from the Montreux-Oberland Railway stands majestically in Montreux station, awaiting its guests from near and far. The journey through the Pays d’Enhaut and the Bernese Oberland is likely to be more comfortable in a luxurious train seat than on a bike saddle. But the landscape here around Lake Geneva is also beautiful. First, you cycle along a section of the main road to Villeneuve. At around the halfway mark lies Chillon Castle, the most visited historical building in Switzerland. The impressive complex comprises 25 buildings and three courtyards, protected by curtain walls.
If you continue from the medieval moated castle along the Rue de la Plage, you jolt over gnarled roots and cracked tar. In Villeneuve, a bust commemorates the Indian human rights activist Mahatma Gandhi, who once stayed in “Haut-Lac” with his family for a few days. An interesting stretch through the Les Grangettes nature reserve follows. Observation towers and a round bridge over the Grand Canal give it a romantic touch. The Rhone, wide and lazy, disappears into Lake Geneva, leaving it again as a river on the other side. From a distance, you can hear children’s shrieks: This stretch passes by the Aquaparc in Le Bouveret and then the Swiss Vapeur Parc. You can also take a dip in the border town of St. Gingolph at the open-air swimming pool right next to the jetty.
On the French side, you’re in the Departement of Haute-Savoie. Around one kilometre after St. Gingolph, a beautiful cycle path runs alongside the old railway line. Later, you have to decide between following the Evian 8km fort trafic routier or the Evian 9km itinéraire sportif. The former, less sporty option runs alongside the lake. The view is stunning, but try not to get too distracted from the traffic. Why not take a break in Lugrin’s picturesque park? The route continues on through small, pretty harbour villages Evian-les-Bains is larger. The town is known for its mineral water and its elegant 19th-century buildings. What many people don’t know is that the treaty ending the Algerian War was signed in Evian-les-Bains in 1962.
Amphion-les-Bains is then a little smaller. Passing campsites, you reach the Pont de Dranse. This bridge spans the river of the same name, and quite professional games of boules are played in the adjacent square. The Château de Ripaille, a manor house dating back to the 13th or 14th century, stands impressively against the backdrop of the Jura mountains. For a fitting end to this scenic stage by Lake Geneva, it’s worth taking a stroll through the colourful old town of the thermal health resort of Thonon-les-Bains.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Montreux
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Thonon-les-Bains
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| Ascent |
560 m
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| Descent |
560 m
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| Distance |
45 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
45 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Along Water, Through a vineyard
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Quick Facts
Route number
