2014: Rhein Rad Weg: Edelweiss → Lorelei
Distance: 1000+ km
Map
This trip was designed to explore Europe in a backroads fashion.
Europe
In this section of the Rhein (Rhine) River, we travelled through/into Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany and France. The route begins near the top of
a mountain pass at one of the headwaters of the Rhein River (many streams feed into the river in the mountains). Beginning near Andermatt Switzerland,
the path descended into the valley and then takes you through villages, farms, vineyards, forests and fields with the river always nearby.
The route purposely follows old walk ways and rural path ways with over 90% of the route without vehicular traffic.
The Geography
We experienced rain, sun, snow (at the top of the pass), clouds and wonderful blue skies. For much of the trip, the temperatures were between 25C and 35C.
Cycling an average of about 85km per day, we covered a lot of the Rhein Route.
Many rolling hills through the vineyards although travelling along the river route has numerous easy cycling sections.
Roads are clean and generally in good shape. When we were on the road, drivers were extremely accommodating to cyclists. In fact, generally they will
not pass you until you allow them too. Incredible!
Recommendations
A couple of things if you go here:
1) Plan for shorter (less than 85km) days on the really interesting sections (do the homework ahead of time).
2) Expect Switzerland to be expensive. Buying groceries at the Migros stores helps a lot.
3) The food in France is spectacular.
Rating: 10
I really have nothing to cause a rating downgrade. This is an incredible holiday trip which I would do again in a heartbeat. There is no reason why anyone would not do this.
We met people under 10 and over 70 years old doing this trip. They may cycle shorter distances on the tougher stretches, but they were enjoying themselves.
