Via Rhôna Cycle Path: Geneva to the Mediterranean

Make your own way to Geneva and check in to the first hotel. Take time to discover this beautiful Swiss city, also known as the "capital of peace" with its humanitarian traditions. It will seduce you with its international charm and its old town offering a wide choice of delicious restaurants. Enjoy a pleasant stroll along the lake shore, visit a watchmaking museum, or the 'Universe of Particles' exhibition at CERN.

Your first bike ride takes you from Switzerland to France along the Rhone, you will discover the "Défilé de l'Écluse" and then the first vineyards between mountains and valleys, while keeping in view the sumptuous mountains of the Alps. This part of the trip will be on some busier roads, but the rest of the week it will be much quieter. You'll spend tonight in charming Seyssel, located on both sides of the Rhône. Its peculiarity is to have two churches, two cemeteries, two Post Offices ... Only one emblematic bridge separates the two town centres. Located at 250m above sea level, Seyssel is also the lowest village of Haute-Savoie. 656m/2153ft ascent, 786m/2587ft descent *Important Note: The first 23km from Geneva to Chancy (train station Pougny) is mostly on cycle path through the city leaving Geneva, but there are some busy and steep sections outside Geneva. It is possible to take the train from Geneva to Pougny, with the bikes, to avoid this section (own expense). From Chancy the route is along a busy steep main road to the border (around 4km), and there's another busy steep section from Vulbens for about 15km on the main road. The last section before Seyssel (about 3.5km) is on a main road with a shoulder/cycle lane.

Today you leave Seyssel and cycle between ridges and plateaux on both banks of the Rhone. In Chanaz, also called “La Petite Venise Savoyarde”, you can enjoy a pleasant break in one of the charming restaurants along the canal of Savières. Continue to Culoz and Belley, peaceful towns with a rich heritage set below the Bugey Range, and on to today’s destination, Champagneux. Important note: About 3km of the route today is on a busy road which passes through two tunnels that do not have a shoulder for cyclists. 260m/853ft ascent, 248m/814ft descent

Today you pass through Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers where we recommend stopping to taste the famous brioche pralines! Further along, a little detour towards the village of Glandieu will allow you to refresh yourself with its majestic waterfall, a wonder of nature. Next you cross Morestel, ‘Cité des Peintres’, where you can stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and visit some galleries. A lovely greenway links "La Vallée Bleue" to Villebois, where you’ll stay overnight. 338m/1109ft ascent, 346m/1135ft descent

This stage takes you through the unspoilt countryside of Bugey, situated above the Rhône. You’ll pass lovely villages this morning including Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey and Sault-Brénaz, and then the more secretive La Balme-les-Grottes, with its great caves and picturesque centre. Your destination will soon be in sight as you approach the hilltop medieval village of Pérouges, listed among ‘The Most Beautiful Villages of France’. Overnight in Pérouges. 199m/653ft ascent, 174m/570ft descent

This stage cleverly links the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, including at Le Grand Large and Miribel-Jonage. Relax and enjoy the cycling to central Lyon, along the Rhône’s banks. At the Rhône’s confluence with the Saône, you come to a quarter marked by contemporary architecture, the most striking building being the Musée des Confluences. Your options for the rest of the day are endless but you can also reward your cycling efforts with a delicious meal in a “petit bouchon”, a typical restaurant in the city. Overnight in Lyon. 109m/358ft ascent, 213m/699ft descent

Today you leave the buzz of Lyon and cycle through the towns of Grigny and Givors and on to Saint-Romain-en-Gal. The historic importance of navigation is clearer here than elsewhere along the Rhône, where museums at Saint-Romain-en-Gal and Vienne give a good picture of the river’s rich history, from ancient to contemporary times. Overnight in Vienne. It's possible to take the train (with your bike) from Lyon to Givors to avoid some city traffic. 142m/465ft ascent, 158m/518ft descent