Bicycle tours by water

The Aare Route follows the river from the small glacier lake on the Grimselpass until it joins the Rhine. After a racy stretch down the pass road, it passes the Aareschlucht (gorge) and deep lakes on the way to the Mittelland region.

It is at Lake Biel where the German and French-speaking Switzerland meet.

En route in Ländle, between the Rhine plain and mountain crags, past the prince’s castle in Lichtenstein’s Vaduz. Over Eschnerberg, and via the cross-border cycle route to the medieval ambiance of Feldkirch. Back through riverside woodland to the Rhine.

In Austria and Germany, the route leads over Innsbruck and Rosenheim through to Dreiflüssestadt Passau. Inn, once a significant traffic artery for salt and ore trading, connects three countries, famous cities and impressive landscapes.

The Urnerland, an incessant, nervously pulsating transit corridor, where the wild Reuss plunges down through the Schöllenenschlucht (gorge), subdued only by sheer mountain walls and the Teufels Brücke (Devil’s Bridge).

After Thun, the gateway to the Oberland, the wide Aaretal: large villages, industry, open fields and a powerful river in lush water meadows. Enter the capital city of Bern, UNESCO World Heritage with arcades teeming with shoppers.

A route through a unique landscape alongside the rushing waters of the Inn: impressive Engadine houses with filigree decoration, crystal-clear lakes, a varied terraced landscape, a paradise for rare birds, exclusive St. Moritz, snow-covered mountain summits.

At Ponte Brolla the force of the River Maggia has cleft the rock, gouging out and polishing the gneiss. Life was hard in the Maggia Valley, the Ticino’s longest valley. Solace was provided by the church, as testified by edifices of religion and foreign governors.

On their tour around the lake of Geneva, cyclists will be rewarded for their efforts by the stunningly beautiful landscapes. 200 km of marked trails lead through 5 regions in 2 countries: Geneva, Pays de Gex, the cantons of Vaud and Valais, as well as the Chablais Haut-Savoyard.

In Seeland, rows of vegetables in all shades of green stand in black soil, ducks and coots bob up and down on idyllic Wohlensee and in Bern, the Zytgloggeturm’s musical mechanism chimes and people enjoy relaxing at small tables on the Bärenplatz.

«Child» of the Jura waters correction: the Nidau-Büren canal and the Häftli loop. The Witi, dry, where hares and storks gather. Nearby, the sluggish meandering Aare, in the distance, the St. Ursen tower announces the baroque town of Solothurn.

Pretty and useful, the energy-supplying Sihlsee; split by the lake dam, the Zürichsee with its villa shores; the land drainage project by unconventional engineer H.C. Eschert, the Linth plain with canal, new fields and pastureland.

This easy tour is a good choice for families. Experience the beautiful valley and its unique lakeside landscape.

Once again Bern’s picture-postcard panorama with the old town and distant snowy summits, then the usually peaceful Emme in riverside woodland, the staid farming region of Emmental, where Gotthelf read the riot act to farmers and justice was spoken in Trachselwald Castle.

The pleasant ride along the varied Mittelland Route is mostly on traffic-free paths, along lakes and rivers, through wide plains and peaceful valleys, towns and villages, industry and agricultural land.

From the resort of Klosters through long strung-out Prättigau, on terraces and side valleys, flanked by high mountains, such as the Silvretta and Rätikon. On to Landquart in the Rhine Valley, past the health spa of Bad Ragaz to the traffic hub of Sargans.

You can discover the source of the Rhine twice within a radius of 270 kilometres. In between you can explore two Alpine passes, deep gorges and the frontiers of three linguistic regions.

The Glatt and the cycling path wind through the flat Zurich Unterland, unnoticed by the thriving busy residential and industrial settlements, seen only by the unavoidable airborne mass of giant silver-aluminium «birds».

The picturesque village of Hermance is followed by the beautiful Geneva countryside. Cologny has spectacular views of Geneva's lake basin with its fountain, which you reach before the crossing over the Petit-lac. The world's smallest metropolis boasts a wealth of delights to discover.

Lush green flower meadows, fascinating fauna, an emerald green mountain lake with temperatures as high as 23 degrees and a fantastic view of the mountains – you'll find it all in the village of Lungern.

The Leventina has been a transit corridor since ancient times. The further south, the milder the climate. An easy ride along the waters of the Ticino, soon passing chestnut trees and vineyards. Bellinzona, called «La Turita» because of its many castles.

The route runs along the lake shore, passing stately buildings and well-kept public beaches. It then leads up through idyllic countryside, across fields and through charming villages, a route with vineyards above and the lake below. Cycling via Nyon and Rolle, you reach Morges.

A perspiring uphill pedal, wonderful views of the Vierwaldstättersee and Rigi mountain. Küssnacht was a harbour town on the old Gotthard route. A winding, lake-panorama stretch leads to mild Gersau with palms and chestnut trees, and on to Brunnen.

Aarau, with its enchanting old town, nestled amid the Jura landscape, airy deciduous forest run along the River Aare near Olten and on past Aarwangen castle to Solothurn, Switzerland's most beautiful baroque town.

The capital Sion shows its historic castles, churches and mansions. The lower Rhonetal is dominated by the high-alpine scenery of the Dents du Midi. A world of fertile fruit orchards and vineyards.

The start in the stony Alpine reduit (fortress), over the treeless pastures of the Urserental, perspiring on the climb to the 2430m Furkapass and an indescribable freewheel past the ice caves of the Rhone Glacier.

Rugged and steep up through the Schinschlucht (gorge) to Tiefencastel, later nice and easy through the Alvaneuer Albulatal, where sulphur springs promise relief. High above, red trains on the curved Landwasser viaduct.

The Bodensee: the soul of Europe. The area around the shimmering silver-green «Swabian sea» is an ancient cultural landscape. Despite its lively lakeside scene, Thurgau remains a serene slice of countryside with castles and extensive orchards.

Above the terraced La Côte vineyards, below on the lake the market towns of Morges, Rolle, Nyon. Open shore becomes rarer, villas and yachts larger, soon cosmopolitan Geneva greets us with boulevards and its 140m-high water fountain «Jet d'eau».

The River Limmat winds steadfastly westward, the monastery looks on unperturbed. The Aargau mega shopping mile is only touched at its perimeter. Always following the Limmat, you reach the spa town of Baden.

Solid stone houses tell of harsh winters, the National Park protects unspoilt nature, the picture-book village of Guarda enchants tourists, the mineral springs in Scuol promise cyclists relief for aching muscles.

Past mighty Grandson Castle, alongside Lac de Neuchâtel’s inviting beaches and up to the wide valley basin of the Val de Ruz.

The sparkling source of the Rhine rises in the Oberalp region close to the pass. In Val Tujetsch lies one of the richest and most fascinating sources of mineral deposits in the Alps and also the monastery village of Disentis.

From Yverdon through the Plaine de l’Orbe. Roman mosaics lie buried on the slopes, the Romanesque Abbey Church sits serenely in Romainmôtier, barely accessible the natural paradise of Marais de la Versoix, before sudden arrival in the metropolis of Genève.

The route follows the meandering River Glatt in the Zurich Unterland, only briefly interrupted by the noise from the airport. Urban activity gives way to the rolling countryside of the Zurich Oberland, then gently on down to Rapperswil.