Cycling the Swiss Lakes Route
Self-Guided - from Montreux to Lucerne - 6 days
As the name implies, the Lakes Route of Switzerland gets its name from the various lakes on this lovely itinerary, starting with Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne at tour end. Set in one of the most beautiful corners of Switzerland, this tour allows travelers to experience famous Swiss destinations such as Montreux, Gruyeres, Gstaad, Interlaken and Lucerne, while cycling through exquisite routes and scenery.
Photo credits: Christof Sonderegger, Lea Meienberg, Jan Geerk (Eutrotrek); Switzerland Tourism.
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Day 1
Arrive to Vevey
Highlights: Vevey, Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc
Stroll along the promenade and enjoy breathtaking views over Lake Geneva and the snow white glaciers of the nearby Mont Blanc Massif.
Accommodation: Astra Hotel, or similar. -
Day 2
Ride Vevey to the Gruyère region
Highlights: Mont-Pèlerin, Gruyère city, Gruyère cheese
From Vevey, take the rack railway up to the Mont-Pèlerin. Quiet roads lead you to the source of the most popular cheese of Switzerland: the Gruyère, which shares its name with the region. A recent symphony of green melancholy, cowbells and customs.
Daily distance: between 40-50km (24-31 miles)
Elevation gain: + 600-855 m (+1968-2805 ft); -500-735 m (-1640-2411 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel De Gruyères Chalamala, or similar. -
Day 3
Ride to Gstaad
Highlights: Pays d’Enhaut, Saaneneland, magnificent landscape, cheeseries, snowy mountains
Postcard country Switzerland: cheeseries, chalets, snowy mountains, cable cars, hotel scent and papercutting. Away from the idyll, the Pays d’Enhaut and the Saaneneland are a magnificent landscape, animated by the haze of celebrity and happy mountain goers.
Daily distance: 40km (25 miles)
Elevation gain: +735 m (2411 ft); -410 m (-1345 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Alphorn, or similar. -
Day 4
Ride Gstaad to Spiez
Highlights: Simmental, artfully decorated wooden houses, river Simme, Spiez, lake Thun
The artfully decorated wooden houses of the Simmental are among the most beautiful in Europe. The Simme remains a wild river that demands a lot from dinghy riders. On to Spiez, a water sports paradise on the cheerful lake Thun.
Daily distance: 55km (34 miles)
Elevation gain: +740 m (+2427 ft); -1150 m (-3772 ft)
Accommodation: La Belle Vue Boutique Hotel, or similar. -
Day 5
Cycle to Lake Sarnen
Highlights: Boat ride, Interlaken, Lake Brienz, Meiringen, Brünigpass to Obwalden
A boat ride from Spiez to Interlaken in the morning. On the shore of Lake Brienz there is a steep ascent to Meiringen to be completed where you can take the train across the Brünigpass. You reach Obwalden: a small Canton, a big Valley, a pre-alpine landscape with scattered villages, flat lakes and long traditions.
Daily distance: 60km (38 miles)
Elevation gain: +1145 m (+3756 ft); -1200 m (-3936 ft)
Accommodation: Bahnhof Hotel, or similar. -
Day 6
From Lake Sarnen to Lucerne
Highlights: Lake Sarnen, Lucerne
As soon as you get a glimpse of the Lake of Lucerne, the Pilatus is in your path. Bay after bay right to Lucerne, a fixed point for every tourist.
After arriving in Lucerne, relax and make the most out of your last day in Switzerland!
Daily distance: 35km (22 miles)
Elevation gain: +240m (+787 ft); -310m (-1017 ft)
Accommodation: Drei Könige Hotel, or similar. -
Day 7
Tour ends in Lucerne
Highlights: Tour End
Your tour ends today after breakfast.
Thanks for joining us and have a good flight back home!
PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.
| Includes | Includes 6 nights in 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels or accommodation of similar quality All breakfasts Access to smartphone app with tracks and digital roadbook Travel documents (1 x per room) Luggage transfers Boat ride Spiez - Interlaken SwitzerlandMobility-Plus subscription for one year Not Included Travel to and from the tour start and end; Bicycle rental (see Prices tab); Entrance to museums or other activities not indicated as included; City hotel tax (2 to 5 euro per night per person, to be paid locally by traveler); Any meals or beverages not indicated as included. Solo Traveler and Private Group departures available: please inquire. Lodging Upgrade: Accommodation upgrades are possible - please inquire for prices and availability. Extra nights: If you'd like to add nights before or after the tour, please inquire - we will be happy to provide a quote and add the nights to your tour package. Extra meals & activities: please inquire for price and availability - Optional funicular ride Vevey - Le Mont Pèlerin (not included) - Optional train ride Meiringen - Brünigpass (not included) ________________________________________ Navigation and roadbook: You will receive instructions to help you find your way around using the SwitzerlandMobility app. We will provide you with further information online. In advance you will receive a small package of documents with the following contents: - Description of how to use the necessary apps - Detailed programme for the individual stages - Annual subscription to SwitzerlandMobility Plus - Luggage tags - Any vouchers On the way, you can easily find your way with the SwitzerlandMobility app and other freely accessible aids. Background information and all other documents are delivered electronically and can be downloaded to your mobile phone in advance. Let us know if you don't want to do without maps. We will send them to you free of charge. ________________________________________ Luggage transfers are included in your package. Please consider that the luggage is not insured during the transport. You need to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage. Normally, the luggage transport service cannot be used by participants to skip the cycling stage. In case you need help to skip the cycling stage, please contact our emergency number and we will arrange it for you. ________________________________________ PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included. Tour code: chbs4250a |
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| Countries | Switzerland |
| Begin/End | Montreux - Lucerne |
| Arrive/Depart | We recommend flying in and out of Genève-Cointrin International Airport (GVA) Transfers: - Arrival by public transport to Montreux. For direct arrival: Suitcases must be handed in at the luggage counter by 10am at the latest. - Departure by public transport from Lucerne. For direct departure: Suitcases will be returned to the luggage counter by 5pm at the latest. - Departure by public transport from Rorschach. For direct departure: Suitcases will be returned to the luggage counter by 5pm at the latest. _____________________________________________________ Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above). PLEASE NOTE: the hotels and prices listed above are for reference only and may be subject to change (based on availability and seasonality). |
| Total Distance | 230-240km (143-149 miles) |
| Daily Distance | 35 to 60 km (22 to 37 miles) Difficulty description: When cycling along the 16 lakes between Montreux and Horn, the route is of course smooth and flat. Between the lakes there are some minor passes to cross: Less fit cyclists are recommended to use an electric bike which is well suited for this route. Cyclists in good physical condition will enjoy the daily climbs, be it on a push bike or e-bike. With 5 days of cycling and an average daily distance of 46km, this tour could be considered a level 2. However, having four days with over 600ms of daily climbing makes this tour a level 2.5. |
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| Notes | This tour is part of our Partner Tours Collective program: operated by select local partners that we know and trust, the tour is similar in quality to those we operate directly in many ways. Please click here for more details. |
| Terms | Terms & Conditions |
| Dates | Prices | Single Supplement | |||
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| Dates | This tour is available from March 30 to October 13 and departures are divided in 2 seasons: - Season 1: Apr. 6 - 26 and Sep. 28 - Oct. 13 - Season 2: Mar. 30 - Apr. 5 and Apr. 27 - Sep 27 Tour starts everyday. *2024 price, per person, based on double occupancy. Solo traveler departures are also available with a supplemental fee. Please inquire. ________________________________________ Bike Rental options: We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition. The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour. Bike rental rates Touring bike (Countrybike 27-speed): €170 E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €310 For more information on bikes available for this tour, please see here: Switzerland Bikes ________________________________________ Additional useful information: • Do you have any questions about how our bike tours work? Check out our FAQs page! • If the self-guided formula isn't right for you, check out this blog introducing the differences between Guided and Self-Guided Tours. |
Prices | €1430 per person (season 1)* €1500 per person (season 2)* |
Single Supplement | €390 fee (in double room for single use)* |
| Next Step | Request space on this Bicycle Tour » |
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