Alpine Panoramic Trail

Switzerland Road Bike Tour

Cycling Switzerland from Rorschach to Aigle

This sporty mountain tour on two wheels takes place on the route known as the “king of kings” in Veloland Switzerland! Beautifully situated between Lake Constance and Lake Geneva, the Alpine Panorama Route takes you up to 2000 meters above sea level and crosses several major and minor mountain passes. You’ve certainly got your work cut out for you, but the rewards are truly sensational!! And don’t forget that there is a postal bus and/or train available every day to help shorten the distances/climbs if so desired. This great cycling route in the Veloland region is the only long-distance one that is paved the entire way, and therefore perfect for road biking. A real treat for the sporty cyclist!!

Starting in the beautiful city of Rorschach on magnificent Lake Constance, you’ll ride through the enchanting Appenzell countryside and have glorious views of the Mt. Säntis Massif. Cycling over the Ricken Pass shouldn’t be too difficult, and after that comes the flat Linth River valley. The Klausen Pass is one of the highest on the way to Lake Geneva (and possible to do via bus). From the summit, the ensuing ride along the shores of Lake Lucerne is pure pleasure. A ferry will take you from Gersau across the Lake to Beckenried. Then the route follows the Lakes of Alpnach and Garnen to the pass summit at Glaubenbielen (1611m – again also possible via bus)!

The Entlebuch and Emmental regions that come next are outstanding pre-alpine landscapes complete with picturesque farmhouses, blooming flowers overflowing from window-boxes and gardens, and the farms look like they came from a postcard. In Thun, the cycle route reaches the Bernese Oberland. Following will be a country trek to Sense and Saane with continuous views of the Bernese Alps decorating the background. En route, the charming medieval town of Fribourg with its Gothic-fronted houses beckons you to come in. Gruyères is another quaint town from the Middle Ages, and from here, you’ll ride through the rich alpine pastures of La Gruyère, home of milk, cheese and double cream. Then it’s back up through rugged hills to Lake Hongrin to reach the pass summit of Col des Mosses. An exhilarating ride down into the Rhône valley and the winegrowing town of Aigle is a fitting finish to this route!

Skill Level

Difficult self-guided hotel tour with up to 8000 meters difference in elevation. For this, there is always a bus or train available as an alternative. Daily distances range from 37 to 60 miles. This is considered a road bike tour because of it’s daily mileage and the difficulty level. However, a road bike may not be the best type of bike for this tour as there are some gravel paths.

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, try to somehow attach it to your luggage..

What’s Included

• 3, 6, or 8 night accommodations
• Breakfast buffets
• Luggage transportation (only 1 piece of luggage per person. Additional luggage for fee)
• Route descriptions & maps
• 21-speed hybrid bicycle

What’s Not Included

• Remaining meals

Tour Dates

• Daily from May 15 to October 15, 2012.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Rorschach.
2. Rorschach - Hemberg, 37 mi.
3. Hemberg - Linthal, 42 mi.
4. Linthal - Beckenried, 44 mi.
5. Beckenried - Sörenberg, 38 mi.
6. Sörenberg - Thun, 38 mi.
7. Thun - Gruyères, 60 mi.
8. Gruyères - Aigle, 42 mi.
9. Departure from Aigle.

* 4 day tour runs from Thun to Aigle.
** 7 day tour runs from Rorschach to Thun.

7 DAY & 9 DAY ITINERARY:
For beginning of 4-day tour, see DAY 6.

DAY 1: Arrival in Rorschach for 7 & 9 day tour.
Individual arrival in the great city of Rorschach. Afternoon free for sightseeing.

DAY 2: Rorschach - Hemberg, 37 mi.
If you want to avoid the climb from Lake Constance to Heiden, you can load your bike on to the train and climb the 800 meters uphill in a jiffy. The tour through the Appenzell countryside is a real delight, and the stretch to Hemberg affords some really gorgeous views of Mount Santis Massif.

DAY 3: Hemberg - Linthal, 42 mi.
Today, you'll bike within the scenic regions of Toggenburg and Glarner. Cycling over Ricken Pass shouldn't be any problem, and following, you'll be riding along the Linth River valley, which is as flat as a pancake. Once you enter into Canton Glarus, you'll continuously encounter reminders of what used to be a flourishing industrial area based on hydro-electric power.

DAY 4: Linthal - Beckenried, 43 mi.
The Klausen Pass is one of the highest on the way to Lake Geneva. At an altitude of 1948 meters, it virtually reaches into the glacier world; but should you not wish to reach this altitude using your own pedal power, the postal bus from Linthal will happily transport you and your bicycle. From the summit, the ensuing ride along the shores of Lake Lucerne is pure pleasure and a welcome respite. The car ferry from Gersau will take you across the Lake to Beckenreid.

DAY 5: Beckenried - Sörenberg, 38 mi
The first part of today's route along Lakes Alpnach and Sarnen is child's play compared with what is still to come. At Giswil, the climb starts with earnest: in only 10 kilometers will you gain an altitude difference of 1000 meters to reach the pass summit at Glaubenbielen. Naturally, the Pass can also be conquered by bus. From the top, it's downhill all the way to Sörenberg.

DAY 6: Sörenberg - Thun, 38 mi. For 4-day tour, DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Entlebuch and Emmental are regions of outstanding pre-alpine scenery with picturesque farmhouses, colorful assortment of flowers in window boxes and gardens, and the farms look like those right out of a picture book. In Thun, the bike route enters into the great Bernese Oberland.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE DAY or DAY 2: Thun - Gruyères, 60 mi.
Plenty of ups and downs make up the route today as it takes you into the countryside dominated by the meandering mountain rivers of Sense and Saane, and as a constant companion will be the breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps. Halfway en route, the charming elevated medieval town of Fribourg with its Gothic-fronted houses beckons you to come take a closer look.

DAY 8 or DAY 3: Gruyères - Aigle, 42 mi.
Leaving the exceptionally charming medieval village of Gruyères behind you, this last stretch on the Alpine Panorama route runs down through the rich alpine pastures of La Gruyère (home of milk, cheese and double cream) back up into rugged hills and Lake Hongrin before reaching the pass summit of Col des Mosses. As usual, bus transportation is available. An exhilirating ride down into the freshness of the Rhône Valley and on to the winegrowing town of Aigle is a fitting finish to this route.

DAY 9 or DAY 4: Departure from Aigle.
Individual departure following breakfast.

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