Biking in Nyon – Overview of the Best Cycling Routes

For keen cyclists, the pretty town of Nyon on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland is the perfect location for a biking holiday. The area boasts many beautiful cycle routes suited to all levels of ability from the complete beginner right up to the experienced professional, and with its stunning landscapes, it represents an ideal spot to get out on the open roads. There are two national cycle routes which cross this region: one, Route No.1, follows the river to Geneva all the way from Brig, while the other, Route No.7 begins at Basle and winds up at Coinsins after cresting the Jura. For those who are looking for a more relaxed pace of life, however, the cultivated fields and sloping vineyards make for a wonderful family outing by bike, with virtually traffic-free paths and roads. Not only are there beautiful landscapes and views to enjoy in this region, there are also plenty of authentic villages, towns and attractions to explore, and here, we look at some of the most popular cycling routes in the Nyon district.

Jura Route – Vallorbe-Nyon

This 61 km route is a medium to difficult route when explored in its entirety, however it is possible to only cycle parts of the course if you have less experience or are cycling as part of a family group. This beautiful trail begins high up in the valley, in the charmingly quiet atmosphere of the Lac de Joux, before freewheeling down towards the stunning Lac Leman. The majority of the route is on paved roads, with only 3 km of its length requiring you to go off-road. The route is clearly signposted with blue “Route de Jura” signs and begins in Vallorbe, heading downhill before skirting the southern point of the Lac Brenet and following the western shoreline of the Lac de Joux. The route crosses the Vallee de Joux, cutting across country to Bassins and on, downhill, through Coinsins and Juillier into the heart of Nyon. For those looking for a less demanding ride, the part of the route between Vallorbe and Le Brassus, which is only 24 km in total, is a great choice, especially for those cycling with children as there are plenty of sightseeing attractions in this section, as well as opportunities for swimming in the lake.

Tour de Leman

This 58 km route is ideal for mid-level cyclists, running along the shore of the lake past attractive buildings and beautifully clean public beaches before heading up through glorious countryside and fields into pretty villages. This spectacular route boasts gorgeous views of the lake and local vineyards as it heads through Nyon and Rolle towards its final destination, Morges, a town close to Lausanne, famous for La Cote vineyards and its 13th century castle. This route is relatively flat, making it suitable for those with less experience on the trails, and is well signposted with blue “Tour de Leman” signs.

Route du Vignoble de la Cote

This circuitous route begins and ends in Nyon, taking in the sights of Rolle and Bassins on the way. Perfect for medium ability cyclists, the loop is a total of 68 km on solely paved roads with no off-roading required, making this an ideal day out for road cyclists. This well-signed route allows cyclists to discover a wealth of beautiful and varied scenery, from the picturesque lake shore to the mountainous views of the Jura. The route begins in the Roman town of Nyon before taking a trail through the pretty La Cote vineyards via the Swiss National Museum and Prangins. Riders can explore gorgeous rural villages with their charming country churches perched on hillsides before crossing Rolle’s Grand Rue to admire the castle which stands on the shores of Lake Geneva, and arriving in Aubonne, above the lake itself. The second half of the route skirts the foot of the Jura, ascending upwards from the town of Aubonne into green meadows. After reaching Berolle, the scenery changes spectacularly from golden vines as you discover Biere’s plateau and arms square and the authentic forest villages of the Jura where you can admire the amazing panorama. The trail then returns downhill to the Duillier vineyard before finally coming to an end back in Nyon.