a Bike trip around lac leman (Lake Geneva)
Jul 26th, 2006, 01:30 PM
#1
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a Bike trip around lac leman (Lake Geneva)
Me and my girlfriend are going to a bike trip from Geneva (hopefully, all the way by bikes TO geneva - in the end) from the 2nd of august to the 9th (of august).
I need help with finding camping sites along the way, finding some interesting places to stop by (maybe to take an "extra" path - to make the trip longer - to an interesting place - on foot, on bike...)
Also, I'm having a problem finding a way to get from Montreux to Thonon or Evian-les-Bains... It seems like we have to get on a highway - and we can't take the risk that there is no extra space on the road for us to ride on... We've checked the train option but couldn't find any sane option for us, and about boats - We couldn't find any site telling whether we will be able to get our bikes also on the boat...
please - help us!
Thanks
I need help with finding camping sites along the way, finding some interesting places to stop by (maybe to take an "extra" path - to make the trip longer - to an interesting place - on foot, on bike...)
Also, I'm having a problem finding a way to get from Montreux to Thonon or Evian-les-Bains... It seems like we have to get on a highway - and we can't take the risk that there is no extra space on the road for us to ride on... We've checked the train option but couldn't find any sane option for us, and about boats - We couldn't find any site telling whether we will be able to get our bikes also on the boat...
please - help us!
Thanks
Jul 26th, 2006, 01:44 PM
#2
Start and end in Geneva, riding all the way around Lac Leman? Is that what you mean, thru both Switzerland and France?
Hmmm... You can definitely take bikes on trains. Again not sure about what you mean finding no sane options.
Hmmm... You can definitely take bikes on trains. Again not sure about what you mean finding no sane options.
Jul 26th, 2006, 01:57 PM
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Hi Bike Traveling,
There are nine national bike routes in Switzerland, and you're going to be on Route #1, the Rhone Route around Lake Geneva. I strongly, strongly recommend you buy the guide for the route. I have the guide for Route #6 in the Engadin, and I can tell you that the amount of information is astounding. It breaks the route into stages, then gives detailed maps, altitude changes, alternate transportation for rough stages, bike shops nearby, and all kinds of accommodation informaiton. Here's a link to all of the routes:
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/navp...onalRoute.html
Unfortunately, it only comes in German or French, but of course the maps & hotels are helpful anyway!
Sorry, I don't know about the routes on the portion in France.
Yes, you can take your bikes on the lake ferries for about 5 chf. I've seen bikes on the ferries in the summer, and I asked for one of my trips.
For a small detour -- between Lausanne & Vevey, go on the vineyard trails. They run for 32 km. Be sure to stop in Rivaz!
I hope you linger in the village of Villeneuve, which has become one of my favorite spots.
You'll have a blast!!
s
There are nine national bike routes in Switzerland, and you're going to be on Route #1, the Rhone Route around Lake Geneva. I strongly, strongly recommend you buy the guide for the route. I have the guide for Route #6 in the Engadin, and I can tell you that the amount of information is astounding. It breaks the route into stages, then gives detailed maps, altitude changes, alternate transportation for rough stages, bike shops nearby, and all kinds of accommodation informaiton. Here's a link to all of the routes:
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/navp...onalRoute.html
Unfortunately, it only comes in German or French, but of course the maps & hotels are helpful anyway!
Sorry, I don't know about the routes on the portion in France.
Yes, you can take your bikes on the lake ferries for about 5 chf. I've seen bikes on the ferries in the summer, and I asked for one of my trips.
For a small detour -- between Lausanne & Vevey, go on the vineyard trails. They run for 32 km. Be sure to stop in Rivaz!
I hope you linger in the village of Villeneuve, which has become one of my favorite spots.
You'll have a blast!!
s
Jul 26th, 2006, 02:18 PM
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That looks like a very ambitious plan. How many miles do you plan to cover in those 7 days? A geezer like me could survive to the outskirts of Geneva and make a Uy (pronounced you ee).
Since you are a first timer at Fodor's it would be good to keep in mind that the normal questions on this forum are "What is the best hotel in Paris?", "What is the best restaurant in Rome?", and "What is the best of anything anywhere?" Not that there are not a large number of true adventurers and other off the track do anything anytime anywhere folks on this forum (I count myself in that lot) but it would be unusual to find many campers of your sort. Heck, I wouldn't camp unless all the mosquitoes, ants, and flies took a holiday.
You know that there are some bike tour companies and web sites. I think you would find more fruitful fields for good information on other web sites.
I have ridden a bike on rural French highways (in the Loire Valley) and it is always a rush when you hear the car coming up behind you. But there is always plenty of room. It is just a matter of the driver looking out the front window. I think that it is more likely for a driver to be aware of bicyclers in France than any place in the USA. There are bicycling clubs in France that can help. Do you know French? It probably doesn't matter if you speak it or not. Educated French people speak fluent English.
Anecdotally, I drove to Evian from Geneva one afternoon. It is a flat road with beaucoup visibility. Don't sweat it. But I think it would be boring on a bike.
When you are in Geneva check out the lake ferry possibilities. Get a schedule and maybe you will want to take a detour across the lake if you are running out of time.
I can't imagine that you can't get your bikes on a boat or a train. It might cost you $10 but it should be possible.
For an interesting place I recommend the swimming jetty off the north end of Quai du Mont Blanc in Geneva. Lac Léman is the sweetest water I have ever swum in. Bring some coins for the lockers and a little cash for a sandwich and wine. You will remember the afternoon.
Since you are a first timer at Fodor's it would be good to keep in mind that the normal questions on this forum are "What is the best hotel in Paris?", "What is the best restaurant in Rome?", and "What is the best of anything anywhere?" Not that there are not a large number of true adventurers and other off the track do anything anytime anywhere folks on this forum (I count myself in that lot) but it would be unusual to find many campers of your sort. Heck, I wouldn't camp unless all the mosquitoes, ants, and flies took a holiday.
You know that there are some bike tour companies and web sites. I think you would find more fruitful fields for good information on other web sites.
I have ridden a bike on rural French highways (in the Loire Valley) and it is always a rush when you hear the car coming up behind you. But there is always plenty of room. It is just a matter of the driver looking out the front window. I think that it is more likely for a driver to be aware of bicyclers in France than any place in the USA. There are bicycling clubs in France that can help. Do you know French? It probably doesn't matter if you speak it or not. Educated French people speak fluent English.
Anecdotally, I drove to Evian from Geneva one afternoon. It is a flat road with beaucoup visibility. Don't sweat it. But I think it would be boring on a bike.
When you are in Geneva check out the lake ferry possibilities. Get a schedule and maybe you will want to take a detour across the lake if you are running out of time.
I can't imagine that you can't get your bikes on a boat or a train. It might cost you $10 but it should be possible.
For an interesting place I recommend the swimming jetty off the north end of Quai du Mont Blanc in Geneva. Lac Léman is the sweetest water I have ever swum in. Bring some coins for the lockers and a little cash for a sandwich and wine. You will remember the afternoon.
Jul 26th, 2006, 03:47 PM
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Two friends of mine roller-bladed from Brig all the way to Geneva last Summer and raved about the experience.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip and a trip report would make very interesting reading for some of us I am certain.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip and a trip report would make very interesting reading for some of us I am certain.
Jul 26th, 2006, 05:38 PM
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Ooooh yes, Cat! You know I'm planning three months on leman in 2007; I've been pricing the difference between shipping my bike or renting one long term. Ooooh yes, I plan to be biking ALL around the town!
s
s
Jul 27th, 2006, 05:01 AM
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I live in Lausanne and my husband and I have biked from Montreux to Thonon a number of times as we love the beach there. There are people who bike around the lake in one day so to do it in a week is not an overwhelming task.
In Montreux there is a bike path along the lake that will take you past the Chateau de Chillon and then in Villeneuve through a nature reserve, over the Rhone and then to Le Bouveret. When you come to Saint-Gingolph, a small village that is half in Switzerland / half in France, well, that's when you have to bike on the road. It's not a highway but it's narrow and people drive fast. If you have wide side bags and are nervous about the road (as I am), then by all means take one of the antique steamer boats from Lausanne over to Thonon. You can take the bikes on the trains in Switzerland however, the train on the French side no longer runs past Saint-Gingolph. So it is boat or bike. Go eat filet de perche (lake fish) at the Relais Franco-Suisse in Saint-Gingolph in their little lake side cabin. It's like going to summer camp, only in French!
And go to the Bains de Paquis in Geneva, have lunch, go for a dip.
In Montreux there is a bike path along the lake that will take you past the Chateau de Chillon and then in Villeneuve through a nature reserve, over the Rhone and then to Le Bouveret. When you come to Saint-Gingolph, a small village that is half in Switzerland / half in France, well, that's when you have to bike on the road. It's not a highway but it's narrow and people drive fast. If you have wide side bags and are nervous about the road (as I am), then by all means take one of the antique steamer boats from Lausanne over to Thonon. You can take the bikes on the trains in Switzerland however, the train on the French side no longer runs past Saint-Gingolph. So it is boat or bike. Go eat filet de perche (lake fish) at the Relais Franco-Suisse in Saint-Gingolph in their little lake side cabin. It's like going to summer camp, only in French!
And go to the Bains de Paquis in Geneva, have lunch, go for a dip.
Jul 27th, 2006, 07:31 AM
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Hi! Thank you so much for all your replies! helped me a lot!!
well, my english isn't SO good, so I'm sorry in advance..
Yes, we'll be doing a round trip, round the lake and back to geneve.
Do you, guys, think that it's too much for us - not so much in shape...?
Anyway, We're a bit experienced, so I hope it'll be ok.
If anyone would like to know, you Can take your bike with you on any boat around the lake for 6chf per bike, at least on this season.
I've got a plan.. any suggestions would still be great:
1st day: Geneva -> Nyon
2nd day: Nyon -> Morges
3rd day: Morges -> Rivaz
4th day: Rivaz -> Villeneuve
5th day: Villeneuve -> Evian-les-Bains (maybe on a boat)
6th day: Evian-les-Bains -> Yvoire
7th day: Yvoire -> Geneve
Do you think it's too much? I think it's 25-30 km per day...
Anymore suggestions? any national parks, maybe, along the road?
...and another thing... tommorow We're going from Geneve to the Mont-Blanc (with a car). Do you know of anything nice to stop by on the way?
I'm sorry for asking these general questions... anyway, I'd be greatful for any help. THANKS!
well, my english isn't SO good, so I'm sorry in advance..
Yes, we'll be doing a round trip, round the lake and back to geneve.
Do you, guys, think that it's too much for us - not so much in shape...?
Anyway, We're a bit experienced, so I hope it'll be ok.
If anyone would like to know, you Can take your bike with you on any boat around the lake for 6chf per bike, at least on this season.
I've got a plan.. any suggestions would still be great:
1st day: Geneva -> Nyon
2nd day: Nyon -> Morges
3rd day: Morges -> Rivaz
4th day: Rivaz -> Villeneuve
5th day: Villeneuve -> Evian-les-Bains (maybe on a boat)
6th day: Evian-les-Bains -> Yvoire
7th day: Yvoire -> Geneve
Do you think it's too much? I think it's 25-30 km per day...
Anymore suggestions? any national parks, maybe, along the road?
...and another thing... tommorow We're going from Geneve to the Mont-Blanc (with a car). Do you know of anything nice to stop by on the way?
I'm sorry for asking these general questions... anyway, I'd be greatful for any help. THANKS!
Jul 27th, 2006, 09:07 AM
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Hi beaupeep. Thanks a lot.
I think we'll first get to Saint-Gingolph and see what we are dealing with (the road), and then we'll decide whether we want to take the ferry or not. (although the ferry goes back to Lausanne and then continues to Evian-les-Bains... 2 hours on a boat could be quite nice, relaxing)
Thanks for the suggestions about where & what to eat (although we're vegiterian...)
I think we'll first get to Saint-Gingolph and see what we are dealing with (the road), and then we'll decide whether we want to take the ferry or not. (although the ferry goes back to Lausanne and then continues to Evian-les-Bains... 2 hours on a boat could be quite nice, relaxing)
Thanks for the suggestions about where & what to eat (although we're vegiterian...)
Jul 27th, 2006, 09:44 AM
#12
Check schedules and try to fit in the early AM open air farmers market that take place weekly in each town (Vevey Tues & Sat and Montreux Fri for example). You could put together an excellent (vegetarian) meal from all manner of local produce and products.
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:04 PM
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I might split it up a bit different. As far as I know there is no place to stay in Rivaz although there are plenty of vineyards so lots of places to have good wine!
1 Geneva – Morges
2 Morges - Vevey
3 Vevey – Saint-Gingolph
4 Saint Gingolph to Evian (boat)
5 Evian – Thonon
6 Thonon - Yvoire
7 Yvoire - Geneva
1 Geneva – Morges
2 Morges - Vevey
3 Vevey – Saint-Gingolph
4 Saint Gingolph to Evian (boat)
5 Evian – Thonon
6 Thonon - Yvoire
7 Yvoire - Geneva
Jul 28th, 2006, 08:05 AM
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As far as I know, I think the Auberge de Rivaz still has rooms upstairs. Don't know if it fits your budget, though. I stayed there on two different trips, but it was ten years ago. Great restaurant. J.
