The Canton of Vaud in Switzerland is a fantastic place to head to if you’re a fan of cycling. It offers a range of services and accommodation all specifically designed for cyclists along with some incredible routes through some astonishing landscapes. In this guide, we’re taking a closer look at what cyclists can experience in the Canton of Vaud in 2021.
If you are a fan of cycling, there are few more visually beautiful places to enjoy a ride than Switzerland, specifically the Canton of Vaud. The region takes cycling very seriously and has ‘geared’ itself to cater for cyclists of all levels. It boasts about twenty marked mobility routes that take cyclists across undulating landscapes, through stunning countryside, mountain passes, UNESCO vineyards and around soothing lakes.
To reinforce the area’s cycling credential, it just so happens to be home to the headquarters of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and regularly hosts stages of the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse. As we’ve mentioned, it’s not just the ideal place for professionals; it’s also ideal for beginners, boasting attractive bike hire options and accommodation packages.
Let’s take a closer look at what the Canton of Vaud has to offer in 2021:
Downhill-Bikepark Leysin
Bike riders in the region can enjoy negotiating a steep descent from the top of Berneuse to Leysin village – a dramatic 700-metre drop. A hair-raising ride for those looking for a thrilling experience, the downhill-bike park is formed of tracks with differing scalabilities to a terrain designed to accentuate the adrenalin rush.
Leysin already has a solid reputation within the world of mountain biking and offers an authentic and exciting experience for all enthusiastic riders. The natural makeup of Leysin’s terrain makes it perfect for all forms of mountain biking, including cross-country, descent, enduro and dirt biking. For more information, visit www.aigle-leysin-lesmosses.ch.
Cycling Packages:
A four-day tour of the Vaud Alps
The tour of the Vaud Alps by road is a testing challenge even for the more proficient cyclist. Taking visitors from the vineyards of the Chablais to the foot of the Diablerets Glacier, this itinerary is a wonderful way to discover the beauty of the Vaud Alps, their distinctive chalets, vibrant green cow filled pastures and snow-covered summits.
This package can be taken with or without a guide and is available through the region from CHF 415 per person, including three nights in a hotel on a half board basis, use of the bike room, luggage transport, logbook, GPX files for downloading onto a GPS devise, 24-hour cycling guide telephone assistance. Four-day bike rental is available on request from CHF 320 per person. For booking and further details, visit www.villars-diablerets.ch/en/
Jura Vaudois Nature Park Bike Tour
The beautiful and vast Nature Park in the Vaudois Jura provides an attractive backdrop for cycling and mountain biking enthusiasts. Coving a varied landscape, the Jura Vaudois Nature Park extends from the summit of La Dôle to the medieval monastic town of Romainmôtie. To the north, the Joux Valley and to the south, the dense beech and spruce forest give way to the quaint villages at the foot of the Jura hills.
The 120-kilometre cycling route through the nature park can be covered at any pace by cyclists of every level and is suitable for those on a bicycle or e-bike. What is particularly charming and delicious is the opportunity to enjoy the produce available from cheese dairies, alpine eateries, village grocery shops and restaurants along the way.
Eurotrek offers a two-night package starting at Nyon from CHF 435 per person. Price includes accommodation, breakfast and luggage transport. For booking and further details visit www.eurotrek.ch.
New: Route Verte in the Jura Vaudois Nature Park
From Schaffhausen in the north of Switzerland to Geneva in the southwest of Switzerland in seven stages, the brand new Route Verte take visitors through the six regional nature parks of the Jura Arc. Along with exploring other stunning parts of the Jura Arc, this new e-bike itinerary enables guests to discover the magnificent landscapes of the Jura Vaudois Nature Park in the Lake Geneva Region and the delicious regional produce.
Seven nights available from CHF 1,065 includes accommodation, breakfast, daily luggage transport, detailed itinerary documents, GPS data and hotline assistance. Guests are able to customise the stages to suit all their needs and ride at their own pace. For more information, visit https://larouteverte.ch/fr.
The Canton of Vaud and the towns of Lausanne, Montreux and Vevey are easy to reach from London with direct flights from airlines including Swiss Air, British Airways and EasyJet. Geneva Airport also has its own train station, with access to all parts of the region. Zurich, Basel and Bern also have international airports for the region with flights from the UK.
For more information on cycling in the Canton of Vaud, visit www.lake-geneva-region.ch.
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