140 Châteaux de Sion et environs
140 Châteaux de Sion et environs

Cycling in Switzerland

Châteaux de Sion et environs

Châteaux de Sion et environs

Sion–St-Germain–Sion

Route report
8 photos

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Châteaux de Sion et environs

Châteaux de Sion et environs

The tour «Châteaux de Sion et environs» is a demanding route, even for cyclists in good shape. It is also highly appealing, thanks to the variety of landscapes it passes through – including terraced vineyards, orchards and forests – plus panoramic alpine views and attractive architectural heritage (hamlets and castles).
The loop begins in Sion with a flat ride to Châteauneuf. Here an unsurfaced section – suitable for all tyres – plunges into nature. The trail leads under a canopy of trees along the river Morge, which rises at the Sanetsch Pass, to the vineyards and the first climb. This is dramatic, but so is the scenery: terraced vineyards and hills offering a vivid experience of the Mediterranean-style landscapes and vegetation that characterise the lower slopes of the Rhône valley.

On reaching the hamlets that make up Savièse, the rewards are delightful: a flattish route, varied landscapes (hamlets, orchards, vineyards, forests) and a view across the Rhône valley to the majestic peaks beyond – such as the Dent Blanche (4,357 m) in the Val d’Hérens. From Grimisuat, another unsurfaced section introduces a climb along a winding and shady route. The glimpses of the floor of the Rhône valley and the fields of aromatic herbs (welcome to Ricola territory) distract from the efforts of the climb to the highest point of the itinerary: the pretty village of Arbaz, located a few kilometres from the resort of Anzère. A flat section of route offers riders a chance to get their breath back – before the superb panoramic views take it away again.

From St-Romain (starting point for the route to Rawyl and its dam/reservoir), caution is advised. The magnificent vineyards and the fine views of the floor of the Rhône valley divert attention from the route, which is narrow and steep. It’s best to slow down and make photo stops. The route rejoins the valley floor at Uvrier/St-Léonard, among orchards. Here it follows the river Lienne (which rises at Rawyl) to the Rhône and its long-distance cycle trail, the Rhone Route N°1 (Andermatt–Geneva). Closed to motorised traffic, this lane offers a fine view of the twin sentinels that are the pride of Sion: the castles of Valère and Tourbillon, dramatically perched on neighbouring crags. At their feet, Sion’s Old Town boasts many restaurants with sun terraces that offer an opportunity to taste the fruits of the fields, orchards and vineyards along the ride: the ultimate reward.
The tour «Châteaux de Sion et environs» is a demanding route, even for cyclists in good shape. It is also highly appealing, thanks to the variety of landscapes it passes through – including terraced vineyards, orchards and forests – plus panoramic alpine views and attractive architectural heritage (hamlets and castles).
The loop begins in Sion with a flat ride to Châteauneuf. Here an unsurfaced section – suitable for all tyres – plunges into nature. The trail leads under a canopy of trees along the river Morge, which rises at the Sanetsch Pass, to the vineyards and the first climb. This is dramatic, but so is the scenery: terraced vineyards and hills offering a vivid experience of the Mediterranean-style landscapes and vegetation that characterise the lower slopes of the Rhône valley.

On reaching the hamlets that make up Savièse, the rewards are delightful: a flattish route, varied landscapes (hamlets, orchards, vineyards, forests) and a view across the Rhône valley to the majestic peaks beyond – such as the Dent Blanche (4,357 m) in the Val d’Hérens. From Grimisuat, another unsurfaced section introduces a climb along a winding and shady route. The glimpses of the floor of the Rhône valley and the fields of aromatic herbs (welcome to Ricola territory) distract from the efforts of the climb to the highest point of the itinerary: the pretty village of Arbaz, located a few kilometres from the resort of Anzère. A flat section of route offers riders a chance to get their breath back – before the superb panoramic views take it away again.

From St-Romain (starting point for the route to Rawyl and its dam/reservoir), caution is advised. The magnificent vineyards and the fine views of the floor of the Rhône valley divert attention from the route, which is narrow and steep. It’s best to slow down and make photo stops. The route rejoins the valley floor at Uvrier/St-Léonard, among orchards. Here it follows the river Lienne (which rises at Rawyl) to the Rhône and its long-distance cycle trail, the Rhone Route N°1 (Andermatt–Geneva). Closed to motorised traffic, this lane offers a fine view of the twin sentinels that are the pride of Sion: the castles of Valère and Tourbillon, dramatically perched on neighbouring crags. At their feet, Sion’s Old Town boasts many restaurants with sun terraces that offer an opportunity to taste the fruits of the fields, orchards and vineyards along the ride: the ultimate reward.
42 km | 1 Stage
Asphalted: 41 km
Natural surface: 1 km
950 m | 950 m
difficult

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Sion
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Contact

Office du Tourisme de Sion
Place de la Planta 2
1950 Sion
Tel. +41 (0)27 327 77 27
info@siontourisme.ch
www.siontourisme.ch

Services

Accommodation

TCS Camping Sion
TCS Camping Sion
Sion
Chambres d’hôtes B&B de la Madeleine
Chambres d’hôtes B&B de la Madeleine
Vétroz
Guesthouse Petit Pré
Guesthouse Petit Pré
St-Léonard
Hôtel du Rhône
Hôtel du Rhône
Sion
Chambres d’Hôtes les Cerisiers
Chambres d’Hôtes les Cerisiers
Turin (Salins)
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Bookable offers

72 Valais Vine Trail
72 Valais Vine Trail
1 Rhone Route
1 Rhone Route
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Places

Veysonnaz
Veysonnaz
Nendaz
Nendaz
Anzère
Anzère
Sion
Sion
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Places of interest

Cow Fighting Competitions
Cow Fighting Competitions
Pumptrack Savièse
Pumptrack Savièse
Irrigation Channel Museum
Irrigation Channel Museum
Pumptrack Anzère
Pumptrack Anzère
Bains d'Anzère
Bains d'Anzère
Pumptrack Alaïa Chalet
Pumptrack Alaïa Chalet
The underground lake of Saint-Léonard
The underground lake of Saint-Léonard
Pumptrack Grône
Pumptrack Grône
Valère and Tourbillon
Valère and Tourbillon
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Signalization

Signalization
For cycling, follow the logo indicated on the red signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your tour for safety's sake.
Signalization