Cycling the Swiss Lakes Route
Bike - Self-Guided Tour
Overview
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 on exquisite routes and scenery.
Highlights
- Views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc
- Gruyere's famous cheese
- Cycling Switzerland's picture-perfect valleys
- Picturesque, traditional villages
- Scenic boat ride between Spiez and Interlaken
- Lucerne
Daily itinerary
Day 1 Day 1 - Arrive to Vevey
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 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: 42 km (26 miles)
Elevation gain: +880m ( 2913 ft)
Terrain type: hilly
Accommodation: Hotel De Gruyères Chalamala, or similar.
Day 3 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: 42 km (26 miles)
Elevation gain: +787m (2582 ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills
Accommodation: Hotel Alphorn, or similar.
Day 4 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: +647 ( 2123 ft)
Terrain type: hilly
Accommodation: La Belle Vue Boutique Hotel, or similar.
Day 5 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: 78 km (48 miles)
Elevation gain: +1327m ( 4354 ft)
Terrain type: hilly
Accommodation: Bahnhof Hotel, or similar.
Day 6 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: 33k m (21 miles)
Elevation gain: +322m ( 1056 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accommodation: Drei Könige Hotel, or similar.
Day 7 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.
Difficulty description
The route is naturally flat along the lakes, with climbs between the lakes, sometimes steep. We recommend electric bikes for less fit cyclists. More experienced or fit participants using push bikes can shorten some of the rides using public transportation, if needed.
Visit our Tour difficulty level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.
Map
What's included
- 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
- Switzerland Mobility Plus subscription for one year
- * 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.
Optional activities
- Optional funicular ride Vevey - Le Mont Pèlerin (bike ticket needed - day 1)
- Optional train ride Meiringen - Brünigpass (bike ticket requested - day 5)
Dates and availability
This tour is available from March 22 to October 12 and can start any day of the week.
Tour Code: chbs4250a
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Partner Tours Collective
Since we cannot directly operate self-guided tours everywhere, we use our vast network in the continent to curate and offer tours operated by select local partners that we know and trust. These tours are similar in quality to those we operate directly – for example, they usually begin with an in-person briefing and bike fitting (with English-speaking local staff); bicycles are provided in optimal condition; the roadbook and navigation instructions, as well as lodging are of similar quality, as well as the routes and inclusions.
Prices
Season 1: €1415
2025 dates: Mar. 22 - Apr. 25 | Sep. 27 - Oct. 12
Season 2: €1480
2025 dates: Apr. 26 - Sep 26
Prices per person, based on double occupancy; minimum 2 participants per departure.
Single supplement: €455 (in double room for single use)
Solo traveler departures are also available with a supplemental fee. Please inquire.
City hotel tax is not included in tour package (2 to 5 euro per night per person, to be paid locally by traveler).
Bike rental
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
Trip planning
Starting point
We recommend flying in Genève-Cointrin International Airport (GVA)
Options for getting to the starting hotel::
- 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.
Ending point
We recommend flying out Genève-Cointrin International Airport (GVA)
Options for getting away from the ending hotel:
- 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).
Photo gallery
Customer reviews
Click to read past traveler reviews
Great way to experience Switzerland... you need to be fit or ride an e bike. My favorite part was coming down from Brunig pass.
- Jennifer M. (USA, 2024)
