Cycling in Switzerland
Rhone Route
Stage 4, Sierre–Martigny
rotate your device for slideshow
Rhone Route
Stage 4, Sierre–Martigny
The capital Sion shows its historic castles, churches and mansions. The lower Rhonetal is dominated by the high-alpine scenery of the Dents du Midi. A world of fertile fruit orchards and vineyards.
In Sierre, there’s time for one last look towards the Val d’Anniviers with its pretty little hillside villages including Vercorin, Chandolin, St-Luc and Vissoie. The route continues straight to the river, where «la Navisence» flows into «le Rhône». There are plenty of small sandbanks for a cooling dip in summer. The ride along the river is leisurely and offers a magnificent view of the vineyards. Other attractions include the small, turquoise «Lac de la Brèche» and the «Pouta Fontana» marshland, a nesting and recreation area for 160 species of birds.
The pace is a little less restful in Sion: the cantonal capital with its two towering rock bastions of Valère and Tourbillon has an infectious Mediterranean flair. Situated between the airport and the river, «Les Iles» are a group of small bathing lakes where Rhone Route cyclists are sure to have fun. One thing they’ll enjoy rather less is the legendary Valais headwind. The better the weather, the stronger it blows up the valley, especially in the afternoon. Beside the Rhone in Aproz stands the headquarters of the eponymous mineral water company, «Aproz Sources Minérales SA». Rooks have built their nests in some of the trees, surrounded by larches, poplars, birches, wild cherry trees and hops. The latter are so common in Lower Valais, you might almost think it was a beer-making region. However, the rich crops of apricots, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, strawberries, asparagus and, of course, grapes soon make it clear that this is a «valley of fertile orchards and vineyards». This will become even clearer in the evening, over a fine «Cornalin de Vétroz».
The outskirts of Martigny are surprisingly full of modern shopping centres. On arrival in «rue des Follaterres», cyclists will be enchanted by the old wooden bridge and the 13th century castle ruin of La Bâtiaz. Those with enough energy left in the evening despite the Rhone wind can take a walk to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, famous far and wide. Less than 200 metres from the Roman amphitheatre, it exhibits works by Rodin, Miro, Chagall and other artists.
The pace is a little less restful in Sion: the cantonal capital with its two towering rock bastions of Valère and Tourbillon has an infectious Mediterranean flair. Situated between the airport and the river, «Les Iles» are a group of small bathing lakes where Rhone Route cyclists are sure to have fun. One thing they’ll enjoy rather less is the legendary Valais headwind. The better the weather, the stronger it blows up the valley, especially in the afternoon. Beside the Rhone in Aproz stands the headquarters of the eponymous mineral water company, «Aproz Sources Minérales SA». Rooks have built their nests in some of the trees, surrounded by larches, poplars, birches, wild cherry trees and hops. The latter are so common in Lower Valais, you might almost think it was a beer-making region. However, the rich crops of apricots, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, strawberries, asparagus and, of course, grapes soon make it clear that this is a «valley of fertile orchards and vineyards». This will become even clearer in the evening, over a fine «Cornalin de Vétroz».
The outskirts of Martigny are surprisingly full of modern shopping centres. On arrival in «rue des Follaterres», cyclists will be enchanted by the old wooden bridge and the 13th century castle ruin of La Bâtiaz. Those with enough energy left in the evening despite the Rhone wind can take a walk to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, famous far and wide. Less than 200 metres from the Roman amphitheatre, it exhibits works by Rodin, Miro, Chagall and other artists.
The capital Sion shows its historic castles, churches and mansions. The lower Rhonetal is dominated by the high-alpine scenery of the Dents du Midi. A world of fertile fruit orchards and vineyards.
In Sierre, there’s time for one last look towards the Val d’Anniviers with its pretty little hillside villages including Vercorin, Chandolin, St-Luc and Vissoie. The route continues straight to the river, where «la Navisence» flows into «le Rhône». There are plenty of small sandbanks for a cooling dip in summer. The ride along the river is leisurely and offers a magnificent view of the vineyards. Other attractions include the small, turquoise «Lac de la Brèche» and the «Pouta Fontana» marshland, a nesting and recreation area for 160 species of birds.
The pace is a little less restful in Sion: the cantonal capital with its two towering rock bastions of Valère and Tourbillon has an infectious Mediterranean flair. Situated between the airport and the river, «Les Iles» are a group of small bathing lakes where Rhone Route cyclists are sure to have fun. One thing they’ll enjoy rather less is the legendary Valais headwind. The better the weather, the stronger it blows up the valley, especially in the afternoon. Beside the Rhone in Aproz stands the headquarters of the eponymous mineral water company, «Aproz Sources Minérales SA». Rooks have built their nests in some of the trees, surrounded by larches, poplars, birches, wild cherry trees and hops. The latter are so common in Lower Valais, you might almost think it was a beer-making region. However, the rich crops of apricots, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, strawberries, asparagus and, of course, grapes soon make it clear that this is a «valley of fertile orchards and vineyards». This will become even clearer in the evening, over a fine «Cornalin de Vétroz».
The outskirts of Martigny are surprisingly full of modern shopping centres. On arrival in «rue des Follaterres», cyclists will be enchanted by the old wooden bridge and the 13th century castle ruin of La Bâtiaz. Those with enough energy left in the evening despite the Rhone wind can take a walk to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, famous far and wide. Less than 200 metres from the Roman amphitheatre, it exhibits works by Rodin, Miro, Chagall and other artists.
The pace is a little less restful in Sion: the cantonal capital with its two towering rock bastions of Valère and Tourbillon has an infectious Mediterranean flair. Situated between the airport and the river, «Les Iles» are a group of small bathing lakes where Rhone Route cyclists are sure to have fun. One thing they’ll enjoy rather less is the legendary Valais headwind. The better the weather, the stronger it blows up the valley, especially in the afternoon. Beside the Rhone in Aproz stands the headquarters of the eponymous mineral water company, «Aproz Sources Minérales SA». Rooks have built their nests in some of the trees, surrounded by larches, poplars, birches, wild cherry trees and hops. The latter are so common in Lower Valais, you might almost think it was a beer-making region. However, the rich crops of apricots, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, strawberries, asparagus and, of course, grapes soon make it clear that this is a «valley of fertile orchards and vineyards». This will become even clearer in the evening, over a fine «Cornalin de Vétroz».
The outskirts of Martigny are surprisingly full of modern shopping centres. On arrival in «rue des Follaterres», cyclists will be enchanted by the old wooden bridge and the 13th century castle ruin of La Bâtiaz. Those with enough energy left in the evening despite the Rhone wind can take a walk to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, famous far and wide. Less than 200 metres from the Roman amphitheatre, it exhibits works by Rodin, Miro, Chagall and other artists.
Length
44 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 41 km
Natural surface: 3 km
Natural surface: 3 km
Ascent | Descent
120 m | 180 m
Fitness level
easy
Arrival | return travel
Hints
Hint
Beware: in good weather a strong wind blows up the valley in the afternoon in the Valais.
