Geneva / Vulbens
This ViaRhôna stage continues in the Franco-Swiss border area. You start in the splendid Swiss town of Geneva, beside its famous lake. Known as a buzzing international city these days, Geneva has preserved its traditional Swiss feel too. This ViaRhôna stage leads you via signposted small roads and greenways into the vineyards close to town and on through verdant countryside towards the Alps.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
The route
This is one of the most physically-demanding ViaRhôna stages, with some steep slopes on the Swiss side. Between Verbois and La Plaine choose between a more strenuous route along a road, or an easier one taking you along a small track (a hybrid bike is recommended) through a bird reserve. In Switzerland, follow the signs for 1 Rhône Route. From Valleiry, on the French side, follow the temporary signs indicating ‘Du Léman à la Méditerranée’. Take great care approaching Vulbens on the D 1206 road.
For an itinerary continuing around Lake Geneva in Switzerland, see this page.
Train stations:
In Switzerland / CFF
Geneva: TGV (high speed train), RE : Cornavin railway station (main station) – Chêne-Bourg station- CFF station : shuttle train between the Geneva airport and the Geneva Cornavin train station.
Regional stations :
CFF line: Geneva <> La Plaine <> Bellegarde : (Cointrin, Vernier-Meyrin, Zimeysa, Satigny, Russin, La Plaine et Pougny-Chancy)
In France / SNCF
TER line 34 : Bellegarde <> Geneva
Tourist Offices:
- Geneva Tourist Office Tel. +41 (0)22 909 70 00
- Monts du Genevois Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 50 95 07 10
Don't miss:
Geneva: its historic old town; the cathedral; the Parc des Bastions gardens; the great fountain (jet d’eau) at the lake; the International Museum of the Reformation; the Patek Philippe Museum, on watch-making…plus Les Bains du Pâquis: a veritable bathing institution in Geneva since 1872
Dardagny: a 13th-century château remodelled in the 17th century
Valleiry: Mont Vuache; the ‘Tour du Vuache à Vélo’ (cycling trail); the nature trail ‘De Nant en Rhône’
Markets:
Geneva: one to three markets per day, check markets on this website
Valleiry: Sunday morning