Romantic Switzerland

  • Location

    Switzerland

  • Duration

    8 Days | 7 Nights

  • Length

    560 - 680km

  • Climb

    2,800 - 4,700m daily

26 Aug 2017 - 2 Sep 2017

​Unlike neighbouring France and Italy which are iconic destinations thanks to the Tour and the Giro, Switzerland is an underrated cycling paradise.

In every Swiss region, options are endless. Flat rides around one of the many lakes between Geneva and Zurich. Rolling hills in the northern part of the country, through beautiful countryside. And then there are the Alps, with 16 passes over 2,000m. There is a network of 9 national and 123 regional bike routes using mostly small, perfectly surfaced roads with little traffic. This makes riding in Switzerland a much better experience than in many other popular European cycling locations.

The tour will take us through northern Switzerland, from east to west. We’ll ride along the three biggest Swiss lakes: Lake Konstanz, lake Neuchâtel and Lake Geneva. In between, rolling hills will take us across countrysides, woods and vineyards. Switzerland is full of history and we’ll go past many medieval castles. Bern, the capital city where we will spend a full day, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Total price: From €3,600

  • Discover the rolling hills, charming villages and lakes of northern Switzerland
  • Stay in typical Swiss hotels dating back to the 15th century
  • Visit Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Maximum group size: 18 riders
  • Tour organized with our Italian cycling tour partner Tourissimo
  • Day 1 - 26 August

    Welcome to Switzerland!

    20km - flat

    We will meet you at the Zurich airport and transfer you to Rorschach on Lake Konstanz. It is a very scenic beginning and a stroll around the lake promenade will put everyone into vacation mode as we admire the beautiful and historical architecture.

  • Day 2 - 27 August

    Rorschach to Schaffhausen

    87 or 98km with 180m or 430m of climbing

    We head to the mediaeval town of Schaffhausen. The town is nestled between the Black Forest and Lake Konstanz. We are in the northernmost corner of Switzerland, surrounded by a landscape of gentle hills and vineyards. The town center is one of the prettiest in all Switzerland. The Rhine Falls are a possible visit too (the largest waterfall in Europe).

  • Day 3 - 28 August

    Schaffhausen to Bad Zurzach

    54 or 100km with 350m or 950m of climbing

    Today is an easy day day of riding but there will be options for those who want more miles. We’ll ride west along the Rhine River, and likely cross the border into Germany for a short while and passing by small, historic villages. We’ll stay in the quite town of Bad Zurzach where we can take advantage of the natural thermal waters.

  • Day 4 - 29 August

    Bad Zurzach to Bern

    128km with 670m of climbing

    A longer day where we pass many quaint villages along the Aare River. The town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of Switzerland. Its architecture is breathtaking. The tower of the cathedral (300ft high) affords an amazing view.

  • Day 5 - 30 August

    Rest day in Bern

    You can choose to explore Bern’s city center, its many attractions, cafes and museums, or ride to Burgdof and back. Bern sits on the Aare river and in August it is possible to go bathing along its banks.

    Built on a narrow hill surrounded on three sides by the Aare River, its compact layout has remained essentially unchanged since its construction during the 12th to 15th centuries. Despite a major fire in 1405, after which much of the city was rebuilt in sandstone, and substantial construction efforts in the 18th century, Bern's old city has retained its medieval character.

    The Bernese Oberland means the Highland of Bern because this part of the Alps is close to the city of Bern. On this day, you can opt for a day trip to Grindelwald. First is a summit that can be reached by cable car and is famous for hiking. There is also the recently opened Cliff Walk, a steel structure that clings to the rock, and then swings under the observation platform and the cable car that ends below the cable car station. This thrilling experience in the idyllic Swiss Alps is a must do if you love mountains, but you should avoid it if you suffer from fear of heights.

  • Day 6 - 31 August

    Bern to Yverdon-les-Bains

    84 or 98km with 360m or 560m of climbing

    The ride heads southwest via Fribourg. Yverdon sits on the southwestern tip of Lake Neuchâtel and it’s an important health and spa resort. Roman ruins testify that this destination was already known for its curative waters back then. A savoy castle dominates the town. The southern side of the lake is less developed and it is a nature preserve.

  • Day 7 - 1 September

    Yverdon-les-Bains to Montreux

    66 or 80km with 360m or 850m of climbing

    Today’s ride is flat and goes along the fertile Plain de l’Orbe, passing pristine waters and rolling hills. Le Mormont is a small mountain that has been excavated to mine chalk. It forms a watershed between the Rhine and the Rhone basins, separating the Venoge and the Orbe valleys to the south and north, respectively. We finish our journey on the biggest of Swiss lakes, the “small sea” of Lake Geneva.

  • Day 8 - 2 September

    Goodbye!

    After breakfast, we will arrange a transfer that will take you to the Zurich Airport in time for your connecting flights.