The best MTB trails around the Rhone-Rharound thee Canal

There are over 6,700 mountain bike trails available around the Rhone-Rhine Canal. These routes cater to various skill levels, with over 1,500 easy, more than 3,700 moderate, and over 1,300 difficult options.

The region offers diverse terrain. While the canal's direct towpaths are generally flat and suitable for touring, the broader Rhone region provides more challenging mountain biking experiences. You'll find an alternation of trails, paths, and roads, with significant elevation changes, traversing vineyards, orchards, forests, and mid-range mountains. Some sections may be unpaved and require pushing your bike.

Yes, there are options suitable for families. While many routes in the broader Rhone region are challenging, the canal paths themselves offer easier, flatter sections. For a more dedicated family experience, consider the Family Aletsch Tour - Aletsch Arena, which, despite its 'difficult' rating, is designed with family in mind, leading through alpine scenery.

The region is rich in sights. Along the canal, you'll encounter historic towns, meadows, and views of distant mountains like the Vosges and Black Forest. In the wider Rhone region, you can explore diverse landscapes including vineyards and forests. Specific attractions include the Kunkel Pass, Oberalp Pass, and the Furka Pass. You might also encounter natural reserves like the Walsum Rhine Meadows Nature Reserve and the Bislicher Insel Nature Reserve.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 31,000 reviews. Mountain bikers often praise the diverse terrain, from scenic riverine paths to challenging mountain ascents, and the opportunity to explore historic towns and natural landscapes.

Yes, many routes in the region are designed as circular tours, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the Trin Digg - Lake Cresta | 3-lakes Tour (246) is a popular moderate circular route offering varied terrain and scenic views.

Absolutely. The broader Rhone region is known for its challenging mountain biking. Routes like Crap Masegn Tour 248 are rated difficult and feature significant elevation gains, with over 1,400 meters of ascent, taking you through mountainous landscapes.

The best time to visit for mountain biking generally depends on the specific trails you plan to tackle. For the flatter canal paths, spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures. For the more mountainous routes in the wider Rhone region, late spring through early autumn typically provides the most favorable conditions, avoiding snow at higher elevations and extreme summer heat in lower areas.

Many trails in the Rhone region provide stunning panoramic views, especially those in the mid-range mountains. The Rhine Gorge Mountain Bike: Cuolm Sura (259), for instance, offers impressive vistas as it navigates through challenging terrain.

Yes, for those seeking a longer adventure, the 'Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike (GTR MTB)' is a notable 230 km off-road route designed for mountain bikers. It features an alternation of trails, paths, and roads with a high cumulative gradient. You can find more information about this route on francevelotourisme.com.

While there are over 1,500 easy routes, the majority of mountain bike trails around the Rhone-Rhine Canal are rated moderate (over 3,700 routes) or difficult (over 1,300 routes). This indicates a prevalence of trails that require a good level of fitness and technical skill, especially when venturing into the broader Rhone region away from the canal towpaths.