Rhine Trail

Switzerland Bike Tour

With the Rhine River to Lake Constance

Having already earned the reputation of being Switzerland’s most popular route, the Rhine Trail is never short of surprises! This extraordinary bike tour gently follows the Rhine through picturesque fishing villages and scenic fruit and wine plantations all the way to the bustling shores of beautiful Lake Constance (see Around Lake Constance tour). Cycling north from Chur to Buchs, the trail follows along the Liechtenstein border before reaching Lake Constance. Itself a treasured tourist attraction and haven for cyclists, Lake Constance buzzes with activity during the summer. Sailboats and cruise boats dance on the waters, whose shores are also shared with Austria and Germany. Many quaint towns are located on the lake, including Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen.

Stein am Rhein is where the Rhine River flows south from the Lake. A truly delightful town, Stein am Rhein is also very much noteworthy for being a jewel of medieval architecture. Located in northern Switzerland, Schaffhausen is a beautiful town with many narrow streets decorated with Renaissance houses showcasing outdoor sculptures and frescos in addition to its impressive oriel windows and Munot fortifications. Be sure to enjoy a glass of local wine in the medieval Old Town. Schaffhausen became world-famous for the nearby Rheinfall or Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe that is said to be approx. 17,000 years old.

Where You’ll Stay

There are 5 options for accommodations:
*Sleep in Straw: It is what it says! Sleep overnight with your sleeping bag at a local farmhouse in the hay barn.
Hostel: Dormitory (share a room) in youth and backpacker hostels.
Budget Hotels: Simple hotel rooms (single, double, or triple) with common shower on each floor, in hotels, hostels, B&B, etc.
Standard Hotels: Nice, comfortable hotels based on the 3-star level. All rooms with private facilities.
Top Class Hotels: Superior hotels of at least the 4-star level. All hotels in a special location, for example on the shores of a lake, and / or with special amenities (such as Wellness area). All rooms with private facilities.
*For Sleep in Straw, linens are provided but it’s best to bring your own sleeping bag. Since only 1 piece of luggage is included in luggage transportation, it’s best if you can somehow tie it to your luggage piece.

What’s Included

• 4 or 7 night accommodations
• Breakfast buffets
• Luggage transfer (one piece of luggage per person included in tour price)
• 21-speed hybrid bicycle
• Route descriptions & maps

Tour Dates

• Daily from April 1 to October 15, 2012.

Skill Level

Easy to moderate self-guided hotel tour with distances of 20 to 42 miles per day over sloping hills with some steep inclines.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

8 day tour:

1. Arrival in Disentis.
2. Disentis - Ilanz, 18 mi. (29 km)
3. Ilanz - Chur, 22 mi. (35 km)
4. Chur - Buchs, 28 mi. (44 km)
5. Buchs - Walzenhausen (Rorschach), 39 mi. (62 km)
6. Walzenhausen - Kreuzlingen (Berlingen), 37 mi. (59 km)
7. Kreuzlingen – Schaffhausen, 29 mi. (46 km)
8. Departure from Schaffhausen.

The Rhine Trail starts in Disentis and soon the first villages with vineyards will appear. In the spas of Bad Ragaz, you can take a refreshing bath before pedaling on to the tiny principality of Liechtenstein and further along the Rhinedam to Lake Constance. The bike trail follows the Swiss shores of the lake and leads you to Stein am Rhein, where the Rhine River flows from Lake Constance and continues to the impressive waterfalls of Schaffhausen. This eight day tour can also be shortened to a five day version.

DAY 1: Arrival in Disentis.
Individual arrival into Disentis; overnight.

DAY 2: Disentis - Ilanz, 18 mi. (29 km)
What's today's highlight? The Surselva, a valley where the old roman language is still living.

DAY 3: Ilanz - Chur, 22 mi. (35 km)
From Ilanz you bike in the Swiss Grand Canyon with it's spectacular views. An option is river rafting on the Rhine (€65, half-day trip, guided).

DAY 4: Chur – Buchs, 28 mi. (44 km)
Today by bike the Rhine route takes you past the vineyards and charming villages of the Grisons region with such proud names as Malans, Jenins and Maienfeld. The thermal bath in Bad Ragaz calls for a refreshing visit before continuing on flat terrain on the Rheindam. Accommodations are located in Buchs – almost next door to the principality of Liechtenstein with its capital Vaduz. Overnight in Buchs.

DAY 5: Buchs – Walzenhausen (Rorschach), 43 mi. (62 km)
The day begins with an excursion away from the Rhine to the pretty little town of Altstätten.  Lake Constance: a splendid region for cyclists!  The route makes a wide look behind St. Margrethen, passing through the national park of the Rhine delta in Austrian territory.  For those who choose "Top Class" hotels; a high point of the tour, quite literally, is the overnight stay at the wellness hotel of Walzenhausen high above Lake Constance: and the train ticket from Rheineck plus bike transportation is included!

DAY 6: Walzenhausen – Kreuzlingen (Berlingen) area, 37 mi. (59 km)
Today's bike trail skirts the lake in parts, and passes through the hinterland in others.  There are several inviting swimming spots, garden restaurants, & boat harbours.  The route passes through the city of Constance, runs along the Swiss shore of the Untersee (lake) and criss-crosses picturesque, former fishing villages.

DAY 7: Kreuzlingen area – Schaffhausen, 29 mi. (42 km)
The route passes through picturesque fishing villages along the Swiss shore of the Lower Lake before reaching the outflow of the Rhine River from Lake Constance at Stein am Rhein. This simply delightful town, a jewel of medieval architecture, deserves a longer visit before tackling the last stage along the right bank of the Rhine to Schaffhausen. Overnight in Schaffhausen.

DAY 8: Individual departure from Schaffhausen, following breakfast.

5 DAY ITINERARY BELOW!

5 DAY TOUR:

1. Arrival in Schaffhausen.
2. Schaffhausen - Zurzach, 32 mi.
3. Zurzach - Rheinfelden, 34 mi.
4. Rheinfelden - Basel, 17 mi.
5. Departure from Basel.

DAY 1: Arrival in Schaffhausen.

DAY 2: Schaffhausen - Zurzach, 32 mi.
The route starts at the Rhine Falls, the mightiest of all Europe's waterfalls, and travels through delightful fertile river-land scenery and asparagus growing country. The pretty riverside villages of Eglisau and Kaiserstuhl definitely warrant a closer look before pedaling on and soaking in the thermal baths of the spa town of Zurzach. Certainly a relaxing way to round off your day's ride.

DAY 3: Zurzach - Rheinfelden, 34 mi.
Most of the Rhine along here is harnessed for hydroelectric power use and subsequently flows rather sluggishly on its way. A visit to the historic towns of Laufenburg and Stein-Sackingen straddling the Rhine River will liven things up for you. Laufenburg on the Swiss side; Stein-Sackingen in Germany (don't forget your passport today).

DAY 4: Rheinfelden - Basel, 17 mi.
Cycling through green countryside is always pleasant, but variety is the spice of life. What greater contrast could await you as you emerge from the green-verged Rhine River trail than the industrial agglomeration sprawled outside Basel, the pharmaceutical capital of Europe. Riding through the villages embedded in it is exciting in its own way, too! At Kaiseraugst, on the doorstep of Basel, the Roman settlement of Augusta Raurica reminds us of our ancient roots.

DAY 5: Departure from Basel, following breakfast.

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