EuroVelo 17 - Rhone Cycle Route
EuroVelo 17, the Rhone Cycle Route, follows the River Rhône from the alpine village of Andermatt in Switzerland to the Mediterranean coast of France. It is the shortest route in the EuroVelo network, yet it strings together the high Alps, Lake Geneva, the lavender fields of Provence and the wetlands of the Camargue with its wild white horses. Few routes cover so many different landscapes and cultures in a single ride.
The French part of the route is known as the ViaRhôna. It traces a corridor that civilizations have used for over 2,000 years, from Gallo-Roman times to today, passing vineyards, historic towns and the producers behind Bugey truffles and Rhône Valley wines.
Essential route information
- Difficulty: varies widely. The Swiss start includes a sustained alpine climb to the Furkapass; many completed French stages follow flat greenways beside the Rhône.
- Route type: in France, mainly lanes reserved for non-motorized traffic, with greenways and cycle tracks along the river; some provisional sections remain.
- Completion status: the ViaRhôna is not yet finished; full completion is planned for 2027–28. Experienced cyclists can ride the provisional itinerary today.
- Family suitability: section-dependent. Many completed French stages on greenways are accessible to all, including families; the temporary route between Lyon and Givors is difficult for beginners and families, and the train is strongly advised there. The Swiss section opens with a hard mountain climb.
How is EuroVelo 17 signposted
In France, panels carry the ViaRhôna logo together with the EuroVelo 17 number, so following the route is straightforward where it is complete. One stretch needs attention: between Lyon and Givors a temporary route has been implemented. It is signposted, but it can be difficult for beginners and families, and the TER train between Givors and Lyon is strongly advised instead.
The GPX track for the route is available directly in VeloPlanner, which helps on the provisional sections where signage and infrastructure are still being developed.
What are the main sections of EuroVelo 17
The route operator does not define official stages, and in VeloPlanner you split the route into your own stages in the planner. Editorially, the ride divides naturally into a Swiss mountain half and a French river half.
Andermatt – Brig. The route begins with a demanding climb through alpine pastures to the Furkapass, then descends past the melting ice of the Rhone Glacier into the mountain scenery of the Valais. Flower-filled fields accompany you almost all the way to Brig, the region's main town.
Brig – Lake Geneva. The main valley widens and the route passes through the lively towns of Sierre and Sion, with the Dents du Midi massif as a backdrop.
Lake Geneva – Genève. Palm-lined promenades along Lac Léman, the terraced Lavaux vineyards and cosmopolitan Geneva close out the Swiss part.
Genève – Lyon. The ViaRhôna begins, crossing the wild landscapes of Savoie before reaching Lyon and its Roman heritage.
Lyon – the Mediterranean. The route continues down the Rhône valley past the dramatic Ardèche Gorges and into the Camargue delta, ending on the Mediterranean coast.
What to see along the Rhone Cycle Route
The route's appeal is the range packed into one corridor: glaciers at one end, a river delta at the other.
- Natural: the Rhone Glacier, the Dents du Midi, the Ardèche Gorges, the lavender fields of Provence, the Camargue delta with its white horses and bulls
- Towns and heritage: Brig, Sierre and Sion in the Valais; Geneva on Lac Léman; Lyon with its Gallo-Roman past
- Food and wine: the Lavaux vineyards, Bugey truffles, the renowned wines of the Rhône Valley
Trains and transport along EuroVelo 17
The French itinerary is well served by rail, which also makes one-way trips and shorter sections easy to plan. Be careful during peak periods, when taking a bicycle on TER regional trains can become complicated.
- TER Genève – Lyon, with stops at Seyssel, Culoz and Ambérieu
- TER Lyon – Givors – St-Etienne
- TER Marseille – Avignon – Valence – Lyon
Check current timetables before you travel. Between Givors and Lyon the train is the recommended way to skip the temporary route.
Practical considerations
The main thing to plan around is that the ViaRhôna is a route still under construction. Around 87% is finished, and completion of the whole itinerary is planned for 2027–28. The finished stages run on greenways and cycle tracks beside the Rhône and are accessible to all; the remaining provisional sections are best left to experienced cyclists.
The Lyon–Givors stretch deserves particular caution: the temporary signposted route there is difficult for beginners and families, so take the TER between Lyon and Givors if that describes your group.
Final tips
EuroVelo 17 rewards planning by section. If the Furkapass climb is more mountain than you want, the French greenways offer the same river in a much gentler form; if you want the full arc from glacier to delta, ride it north to south as the route is described. Open the full route in VeloPlanner to shorten it, add detours or split it into stages at your own pace, and download the GPX straight from the route page before you go.
