Rhône Cycling Loop

Departure point / TER: Annecy

Length: 77 km

Difficulty: red

Total ascent: 530 m

Direction: counter-clockwise

Landmarks and connections: Epagny; Sillingy (separation from Tour de la Montagne d'Age n°5 and Tour de la Mandallaz n°6; common route with Tour du Vuache n°17); Clermont; Desingy; pont de Châtel (separation from Tour du Vuache n°17); Seyssel; Val-de-Fier (junction with Boucle du Fier n°15 and 3 Traversées 12, 13 and 14).

A major cycle route is being built along the Rhône between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean. It can already be completed in Haute-Savoie, where it is mainly made up of small roads far from the river, which lies in inaccessible gorges. As you approach Seyssel, however, you'll find yourself back on the water's edge, transformed into a greenway that you can follow for a few kilometers, not without a visit to the Maison du Haut Rhône, home to numerous cultural exhibitions.

Before reaching Seyssel, take the final stretch of the Usses valley on the cycle lanes of the D992 from the Châtel bridge. As you approach Seyssel, don't miss the greenway entrance on your right. After a kilometer, you'll leave the water's edge to cross Seyssel's central square. A short detour then takes you to the port of Gallatin and the Maison du Haut Rhône. Then you're off again on the greenway to the mouth of the Fier. The ascent of the Val-de-Fier gorges is another spectacular part of this beautiful tour. The return to Annecy is made in common with the Boucle du Fier n°15, via the route des Creuses and through Seynod.