Swiss Alps Self-guided Cycling Tour

Arrival to St. Margrethen

St. Margrethen – Lichtensteig

Arrival and luggage drop-off in St. Margrethen. Uphill and down dale in rolling Appenzell, where it’s said that «every second house is a tavern». Friendly farming country with its own character, a finely structured landscape at the foot of the Säntis, marked by a quaint dialect and a dry wit.

Details: 69 km, ↑ 1’755 m ↓ 1’520 m

Lichtensteig - Altdorf

Toggenburg more forested and rugged, a land of nooks and crannies where water once provided work and death. Below the alluvial Linth plain, «Zigerland» with mighty limestone cliffs, Glarus once a textile region of international importance. On the climb to the Klausenpass: the Urnerboden, the largest Swiss alp. On the other side of the 1948m pass the Schächental, a mountain landscape with the traditional farming method of moving livestock from one grazing ground to the next.

approx. 105 km, ↑ 1'985 m ↓ 2'145 m

Altdorf – Sörenberg

The mighty Vierwaldstättersee with its impressive panorama. In contrast, the shallow Sarnersee in Obwalden. A treat for pedal-pushing fans: the Glaubenbielen Pass (1611m), a steep pass into the Entlebuch.

Details: approx. 85 km, ↑ 1'635 m ↓ 945 m

Sörenberg - Thun

After the alpine marshland in rain-rich Glaubenbielen you arrive at the biosphere reserve around Schrattenfluh. Not less enchanting: the hills and dales of the Emmental, classic, pre-alpine rolling countryside.

Details: approx. 55 - 70 km, ↑ 835 – 885 m ↓ 1'435 - 1'490 m

Thun - Gruyères

From «cabbage country» through the rugged Sense ravines to Fribourg im Üechtland. The old city with its cathedral and 200 gothic house facades enjoys a picturesque position in a loop of the river Saane. Delightful landscape and a man-made lake: Lac de la Gruyère, land of «Crème de la Gruyère» and black and white cows. On a hill, the tiny castle town of Gruyère with its busy mass of tourists.

Details: approx. 95 km, ↑ 1'675 m ↓ 1'520 m

Gruyères – Aigle

Much Quieter in Obergreyerz and uphill through lonely, rugged Alpine pastures to Hongrin, occasionally resounding with army artillery fire. Intoxicating 1000m descent to the mildness of the Rhonetal, a sensuous downhill run through all climate zones. In Aigle luggage retrieval and departure.

Details: approx. 65 km, ↑ 1’325 m ↓ 1’660 m

Departure