Cycling the Swiss Lakes Route
Self-Guided - from Montreux to Lucerne - 7 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 from 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 40-50 km (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
Cycle to Gstaad
Highlights: Pays d’Enhaut, Saaneneland, magnificent landscape, cheeseries, snowy mountains
Experience postcard-perfect Switzerland with its cheeseries, chalets, snow-capped mountains, cable cars, and the charming atmosphere of alpine hotels and traditional papercutting art. Beyond the idyllic scenery, the Pays d’Enhaut and Saanenland regions boast breathtaking landscapes, filled with the energy of both celebrities and joyful mountain enthusiasts.
Daily distance: 46 km (28.5 miles)
Elevation gain: +600 m (1968.5 ft); -315 m (-1033 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Alphorn, or similar. -
Day 4
Ride Gstaad to Spiez
Highlights: Simmental, artfully decorated wooden houses, river Simme, Spiez, lake Thun
The beautifully adorned wooden houses of Simmental rank among the most stunning in Europe. The Simme River, still untamed, offers thrilling challenges for rafting enthusiasts. Continuing to Spiez, you'll discover a paradise for water sports on the serene and picturesque Lake Thun.
Daily distance: 53 km (33 miles)
Elevation gain: +385 m (+1263 ft); -810 m (-2657 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
Start your day with a scenic boat ride from Spiez to Interlaken. Along the shores of Lake Brienz, a challenging ascent leads to Meiringen, where you can board a train across the Brünig Pass. Upon reaching Obwalden, you’ll find yourself in a quaint canton with a vast valley, dotted with charming villages, tranquil lakes, and rich pre-alpine traditions.
Daily distance: 60 km (37 miles)
Elevation gain: +1450 m (+4757 ft); -1200 m (-3937 ft)
Accommodation: Bahnhof Hotel, or similar. -
Day 6
From Lake Sarnen to Lucerne
Highlights: Lake Sarnen, Lucerne
As you approach Lake Lucerne, the iconic Pilatus mountain rises before you. The route takes you along scenic bays, leading all the way to Lucerne, a must-see destination for every traveler.
After arriving in Lucerne, relax and make the most out of your last day in Switzerland!
Daily distance: 35k m (22 miles)
Elevation gain: +240 m (+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 (Allowed only one 20kg piece of luggage per person) 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. * Please note: bike fitting and welcome meeting are not included at tour start. You will find your rental bikes at the starting hotel; please ask at the reception for instructions. Solo Traveler and Private Group departures available: please inquire. Lodging Upgrade: Accommodation upgrades are possible in some locations - 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): ________________________________________ Navigation and roadbook: You will receive instructions to help you find your way around using the navigation app provided. You will receive before the tour start, some very usefull travel documents with the following contents: - Instructions on how to use the navigation and transportation (Swiss Railway) apps - Detailed program for individual stages - Annual subscription to SwitzerlandMobility Plus - Luggage tags - Any vouchers needed Background information and all documents are will be sent via e-mail and a printed copy will be delivered to your starting hotel. ________________________________________ Luggage transfers are included in your package. Please leave your luggage (1 piece up to max. 20kg per person) at the reception by 9am. It is delivered to the following hotel by 6pm the latest. Remember to use the luggage tags provided on all your luggage being transferred and please, have your luggage ready before the driver comes to collect it, otherwise you may have to pay a local taxi for the service. 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) |
| Rating |
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| Notes | Difficulty description: The route is naturally flat along the lakes, but there are some smaller and larger inclines between them. We recommend electric bikes for less experienced cyclists, which are particularly suitable for this terrain. On the other hand, more athletic riders can take on the stages with touring bikes and, if needed, shorten the route using public transportation. With 5 days of cycling and an average daily distance of 48km, this tour could be considered a level 2. However, having three days with over 600ms of daily climbing makes this tour a level 2.5. 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | This tour is available from March 22 to October 12 and can start any day of the week. Departures are divided in 2 seasons: *2025 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-gear): €190 E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €345 Road bike: €345 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 | €1415 per person (season 1)* €1480 per person (season 2)* |
Single Supplement | €455 fee (in double room for single use)* |
| Next Step | Request space on this Bicycle Tour » |
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