Hint

Intro

Wild when the föhn wind blows: the mighty Vierwaldstättersee with its impressive panorama. In contrast, the shallow Sarnersee with its Obwalden «Brother Klaus» landscape. A treat for pedal-pushing fans: the Panoramastrasse, the steep pass to Entlebuch.

Detour / Closure

There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/route-4/stage-4

Description

Lake Lucerne is the fifth largest lake in Switzerland. Its German name is linked to the country’s four original cantons (Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne). The southern part between Flüelen and Brunnen is known as Lake Uri and it is usually a bit on the wild side. Traveling by regular boat service or a bicycle shuttle service is a great alternative to the busy section Axenstrasse, which is closed until further notice. A boat trip is a lot of fun and Tell‘s Chapel can just as well be seen from the water. If you want to visit some Belle Epoque hotels, disembark in Brunnen. The car ferry in Gersau will later take you to Beckenried on the other side of the lake. The section between Brunnen and Sisikon is closed to cyclists until further notice. A bicycle shuttle service is offered as a replacement. More detailed information can be found below.

Between Beckenried and Buochs the tour follows the lake for a short while. Past the military airfield with Pilatus planes and along meadows, pastures and farmers bringing in the hay, the bike route continues to Stans, Nidwalden’s capital. If you don’t mind crowds of tourists, take a quaint funicular and a state-of-the-art double-decker gondola up to Stanserhorn Mountain. The views of a 100 km mountain chain and ten lakes are awe-inspiring. Alpnachersee, another part of Lake Lucerne, is a quiet spot. But Alpnachstad has a major highlight in store: the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, in operation since 1889, and with a gradient of up to 48 percent takes the travellers to Mt. Pilatus. However, the story of Niklaus von der Flüe goes even further back. Born in Flüeli above Lake Sarnen in 1417, the hermit from the Canton Obwalden is Switzerland’s patron saint. He was canonised in 1947.

Yodeller Ruedi Rymann is not a saint (at least, not yet), but the Schacherseppli discovery trail created in his honour in Giswil is an experience. Be prepared - the fun is over now: the road across Glaubenbielen Pass is steep and strenuous. On the side of the road you will see old farm houses and some of the steep mountainsides are still being mowed by hand. The lifts at Mörlialp make it obvious that this is a ski area in winter. No wonder the vegetation on the downhill ride through Mariental to Sörenberg is so vigorous and healthy. After all, you’re already in the region where the Entlebuch UNESCO biosphere reserve is located.

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Flüelen
Destination
Sörenberg
Ascent
1600 m
Descent
900 m
Distance
77 km
Distance on tarred ways
77 km
Physical requirements
Difficult
Theme
Along Water, Over a pass
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/...

Route

Alpine Panorama Route

St. Margrethen - Aigle
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All stages

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

Stage: 4/9

Distance

77 km

Ascent

1600 m

Travel information: Flüelen

Current Offers

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