The Best Cycling Routes In And Around Geneva

Geneva is a cyclist friendly city with bike lanes on almost all the paths and roads. There is also a lot of countryside waiting to be explored. Here are some of the best bike routes that’ll let you explore the city and the surrounding area.

Rhône-Route No. 1

Embark on a 350 kilometre journey along the course of the river Rhône that ends in Geneva. With only a few difficult spots along the fully signposted route, you are free to enjoy the splendour of the Swiss countryside. From agricultural fields, to the iconic vineyards of the Lavaux and the stunning mountain scenery of Valais, the effort of this trip will be well worth it.

The Passport to the Big Bang

Cycle around the Large Hadron Collider from the safety of ground level. The Passport to the Big Bang is a 54 kilometre ring consisting of ten interactive stages that takes you through the Genevan and French countryside. The ten stages are an of average 4 kilometres apart and you can pick up your “passport” at tourist offices or download it online.

Tour de Léman

Tour Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), the biggest lake in the Alps, on a 175 kilometre journey that takes you into France before circling round three Swiss cantons back to Geneva. If you prefer to take your time, the trip can be taken in four stages, including a stop over at the picturesque town of Montreux. The route also takes you through Les Grangettes nature reserve in Valais and skirts past the tourist hub of Lausanne.

Cycle around Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) and enjoy spectacular views

Geneva to Sézenove

This tour follows the path of the Rhone river through Geneva, past its confluence with the Arve before splitting off and cutting through the residential areas of Lancy and Onex to reach the Swiss countryside. Once you reach open roads, you pass through vineyards at Signal de Bernex and afterwards, you’ll be treated to views of the mountains of the Jura and the Salève.

The Lakefront

If you’re not up for the full 175 kilometre circuit of Lac Léman, then the local alternative should suffice. A great place to start is Jardin Anglais in the shadow of the Jet d’Eau and then bike through the city and across the Pont du Mont Blanc. From there, continue up the tree-lined Quai du Mont Blanc and pass on to Quai Wilson, which leads to La Parc de la Perle du Lac, a beautiful natural park that is perfect for a short rest. This route is easily extendable, you can reverse it and cycle from Perle du Lac out to Cologny and it is mostly flat, so won’t pose too many problems.