Rhone Route
Overview
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Distance 50 km
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Ascent 620 m
Intro
The young Rhone, known in the Goms Valley as the «Rotten», flows through an authentic natural and cultivated landscape. Pretty villages with beautiful baroque churches, stone pine forests, insect-rich flower meadows and a tangy resin aroma accompany cyclists through the sunny high valley.
Description
Even Johann Wolfgang Goethe is said to have been enchanted by this unique, sunny high valley. Several of its villages are listed in the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property because of their typical larch houses and many ornate baroque churches. The Goms Valley is a mecca for cross-country skiers in winter and a magnificent landscape for hiking and cycling at other times of the year. This stage follows the «Rotten», in many cases along natural paths. It stretches over 50 kilometres, constantly undulating on the way down to Brig. Most of the route is bordered by alluvial forests, which are of great significance in the valley. Cyclists will soon fall under its spell and only the approaching Glacier Express or perhaps even a pretty hoopoe will bring them back down to earth.
Even so, it’s worth stopping from time to time to visit places like Niederwald, which has one of the best preserved villagescapes in the whole of Valais. Afterwards, the scent of countless herbs hangs in the air. The route runs rapidly downhill through an enchanting, leafy forest to the Rotten with its refreshingly cool waters. By this point, we have already entered the Binntal Nature Park. Another worthwhile detour leads from Mühlebach to the suspension bridge that spans the Lamma Gorge at a height of 92 metres. The «Goms Bridge» connects the two hiking and cycling areas of Bellwald and Ernen.
A splendid panoramic view of deciduous and pine forests can be enjoyed in Ausserbinn. The Binntal valley is famous for its rich variety of minerals, so this section will make mineral enthusiasts feel just as much at home as cyclists and motorbike riders. It’s followed by an abrupt change of terrain and a natural path that runs steeply downhill to the Roman bridge (Attention: the trail requires increased attention and riding skills. Depending on the type of vehicle, luggage and weather conditions, it is advisable to push the bike here). With a bit of luck, visitors may discover a «Grengiols tulip» around the village of the same name; this endemic species can only be found here. The descent to Mörel is thrilling, though the following section along the main road to the entrance of Bitsch may be a bit too loud for some. Things become more leisurely on the final section along the Rhone to Brig – and into the heart of the Valais Alps.
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 |
Oberwald
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Brig
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| Ascent |
620 m
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| Descent |
1300 m
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| Distance |
50 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
37 km
|
| Distance on natural surface |
13 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Along Water, Through a nature conservation area
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Quick Facts
Route number
