Swiss Alps Bike Tour Reviews page 3
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★★★★★ Tonja clark
Best trip ever!
Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy
This was a perfect trip! The scenery was amazing, the weather perfect, and the length of the daily rides was very doable.
The entire trip was made easier because of how well it was organized.
I love the self guided, without the hassle of moving our bags from place to place. Annecy is a wonderful city, so I recommend spending extra time there. We returned to Geneva by bus which went very smoothly.
I recommend doing the A+ hotels, you won't want to miss the Chateau; it was a treat. It's beautiful, the staff was incredibly friendly and the food was delicious.- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- One
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Amy Lynch
It was a beautiful trip! Well organized and easy to follow!
Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy
It was an amazing vacation. The route was charming, beautiful and somehow more spectacular every day. We had great weather which made for great photos! It was a special way to explore France and love it even more.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Kim Hopkins
Simply Magical!!
Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy
It's difficult to find words to adequately describe this bike tour… 'Magical' is the one that comes the closest! We found breathtaking beauty and so much history at every turn on our trip. We couldn’t believe that each day could bring more wonderment than the last. We had to pinch ourselves on a regular basis to make sure we weren’t dreaming. The route was stunningly beautiful with distances of 30-50 miles per day. We upgraded our accommodations on day 3 to A+ and spent the night at Château de la Tour du Puits and would definitely recommend spending the extra money to do this! We would also recommend staying a few extra days in Annecy at the end of the tour. It is a beautiful city and there is much to experience and explore. The tour staff was very helpful and responsive whenever we had questions and communicated with our group via WhatsApp. Our group of 4 rented 2 gravel bikes and 2 ebikes. This was a great combination for us that allowed our group to keep the same pace. We are already brainstorming our next European bike tour!
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 3-6, 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Brittany Allred
What’s better than perfect?
Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
I can’t put into words how amazing the trip was for us. I felt like we had private, backstage passes to Switzerland. The e-bikes were so fun, the hotels were great, and the views were too good to be true. It’s hard to imagine a trip that will top it.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept. 10 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Kim Hopkins
Simply Magical!!
Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy
It's difficult to find words to adequately describe this bike tour… 'Magical' is the one that comes the closest! We found breathtaking beauty and so much history at every turn on our trip. We couldn’t believe that each day could bring more wonderment than the last. We had to pinch ourselves on a regular basis to make sure we weren’t dreaming. The route was stunningly beautiful with distances of 30-50 miles per day. We upgraded our accommodations on day 3 to A+ and spent the night at Château de la Tour du Puits and would definitely recommend spending the extra money to do this! We would also recommend staying a few extra days in Annecy at the end of the tour. It is a beautiful city and there is much to experience and explore. The tour staff was very helpful and responsive whenever we had questions and communicated with our group via WhatsApp. Our group of 4 rented 2 gravel bikes and 2 ebikes. This was a great combination for us that allowed our group to keep the same pace. We are already brainstorming our next European bike tour!
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 3-6, 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Patricia Nalvanko
Bikes, boats, ziplines, and paragliding —all in 4 days
Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy
My 19 year old granddaughter and I (60) spent four glorious days on this trail. We are not cyclists, although we are in shape and it is was perfect. We were just tired enough at the end of each day to enjoy a good meal and a good bottle of wine. We chose many side excursions along the way and found ourselves zip-lining over waterfalls, electric boating on a lake surrounded by the alps, and then paragliding tandem with an instructor over mountains and even a glacier! This was my second cycling trip and my granddaughters first. I will be adding a cycling portion to all my trips in the future. Nothing compares to exploring a country through villages and countryside. If you do this trip, or any cycling trip, always always always refer to Google maps and find the hidden gems along the way!
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
-
★★★★★ BH
Beautiful Route
Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy
After navigating out of busy Geneva we were rewarded with beautiful open country side, thick forests, small villages, views of the Rhone River and eventually huge glacial made lakes surrounded by tall mountain ranges. Until this trip we've always been self-guided and the only ones on the route at that time. This tour had about 5 couples starting the same day although we all went our own pace. It was nice to meet people from other countries and backgrounds experiencing the same daily route. Quality of hotels varied but some towns had very limited options.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Drew Thatcher
Wonderful three Lakes Tour
Three Lakes Tour: From Geneva to Annecy
We were two couples that did the self guided tour of the three lakes region near Annecy. The hotels were nice, breakfast and dinners were great. The downloaded guides on our phones worked great - every now and then the guide told us to go left instead of right but if you're seeing the map on the phone one can figure that out. Bag transfers were seamless. Such a wonderful experience of seeing the region from a bike. Much of the ride was on bike paths - the other areas were on roads with a bike lane. A few miles of ROUGH road but that was just fine. We loved the entire trip.
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
-
★★★★★ apitzer
Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
I went on a portion of this tour as a BikeTours.com staff member from Geneva to Lausanne and Vevey. The Lavaux Vineyards, on the Swiss side of Lake Geneva, are a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. The wine has been produced in this region since the 11th century. Alpine views and the stunning, clear Lake Geneva are other highlights. This level 2 tour is relatively flat with a few hilly sections up by the vineyards. You can experience Switzerland without having to pedal up mountains, and an e-bike makes the journey even more accessible for all. The Schweiz Mobil national network of cycling paths is well-maintained and clearly marked. In my 8 days of cycling, we were confused about signage only a handful of times. Be sure to plan for lunch or attractions before you begin cycling, as restaurants are generally only open from about 11:30 - 2:00 for lunch and they may not be able to serve lunch at 2:00. We had to do a lot of research ourselves about site-seeing, lunch stops, and directions to each point of interest along the way. Don't miss the Old City in Geneva, the Promenade du Lac with the famous Jet d'Eau (Jet of Water), the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, or Charlie Chaplin's estate in Vevey. The combination of the lake, vineyards, mountains, French-inspired cuisine and culture, and well-marked bike route make this tour a wonderful first tour in Switzerland.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 3, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
-
★★★★★ CarleyC
Outstanding!
Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
I didn't know how much I would fall in love with a trip by bike. In fact, I hadn't even been on a bike in years, but when your friend says "come to Switzerland and bike with me," you go. This region of Switzerland is so very beautiful, it wowed me at every turn. And if I was worried about biking over the ALPS, well, e-bike for the win. An electrically-assisted bike really made this trip for me, since I am not in biking shape. I was able to fly right up those alps with ~almost~ no problems at all (some are pretty steep). I am absolutely in love with the pace of a bike trip. Wind in your face and views all around, but can stop for a scenic vista or a cup of coffee whenever you like. I cannot recommend this route enough. If you are even considering it, just go. You will not regret it.
Having your luggage transported for you every day is great! You just take what you need with you for the day, and when you arrive at your hotel on the other end, your stuff is waiting for you. Also, we had one bad weather day, and we were able to send our bikes with the luggage with no problems, which was a treat. I highly recommend downloading the app of the route, it was very helpful for figuring out where we were at times. All in all, a stellar trip, and I would do the exact same trip again right now.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 30th
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Traveling Jackie
Cycling doesn't get more beautiful than this!
Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
I can still hear the cowbells! I thought I knew what to expect coming into this tour, but I completely underestimated almost everything about this trip. The scenery blew my mind every second, the hotels were MUCH better than I realized they'd be (Category A all the way), the hills were steeper, the fondue tastier, and the rejuvenation and "reset" for my well-being... I just didn't even realize how GOOD I would feel just from saying yes to this experience.
I loved it and would recommend making it longer if you can, add a day to the middle somewhere (possibly Lucerne) to allow yourself more time to soak in the beauty that is Switzerland. My only complaint is that it went too fast.
I've been on 3 bike tours and used a hybrid touring bike for each of them (I opted NOT to use an e-bike on this trip). This was definitely the most challenging itinerary I've experienced with a hybrid bike, but I would choose a hybrid again if given the chance to do it again, because I loved the challenge. If you aren't a strong rider, definitely get an e-bike, we are talking about the Swiss Alps!
I also recommend buying a picnic lunch everyday (there is a store called Coop that is found all along the route) because timing your hunger with open restaurants and backcountry trails is almost impossible. And the picnic views are unbeatable.
Also, be sure to download the Swiss Mobility app and I also recommend Maps.me, both work offline and with the two of them we found our way just fine. Definitely choose Category A hotels, don't think twice! Also I would skip Zug and stay in a different town instead. Find more tips and stories from my experience at https://travelingjackie.com/swiss-alps-by-bike/
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
Video: Swiss Alps by Bike: A MUST-DO For Adventure Lovers
-
★★★★★ Cindy23
We can't wait to schedule our next trip!!!
Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
This was a trip of a lifetime. My husband and I have never done a bike tour before, and we were so impressed with Switzerland. It has to be one of the best countries to bike in--they have fresh spring water all over the countryside (see pic), bike route signs that are more visible than the street signs, and views that are absolutely breathtaking. I'm still trying to soak it all in and we went a month ago in July/August. My husband is a professional photographer so we stopped constantly to take pictures. Now on to more details...
We arrived a day early so we could rest and get used to the time change. We decided to fly into Zurich and take a train to Montreaux. We got a hotel right on the water--and it was SO worth it. Montreaux has a walking path all along Lake Geneva and it's just gorgeous. A great way to start your trip.
We brought our own helmets, pedals, and shoes. We figured it would be better on the hills to be able to push and pull. The tour company was willing to let us bring a suitcase and a backpack for luggage transport (we had the extra helmets and pedals). We opted for the hybrid bikes vs the e-bikes. My husband mountain bikes every day. I did about 80% of my training on a peloton stationary bike.
The first day of biking it takes awhile to get used to the bike and the signs. We got a little lost because of detours. We also weren't familiar with the maps provided. We thought we were supposed to stay on Route 9, but day 1 and 2 they had us going on route 59. We didn't realize this until we finally found our hotel the first day. Our luggage wasn't there yet at 5:00 so I highly recommend bringing something light to change in to so that you can shower if you beat your luggage.
Day 2 we basically just did route 59 until it met back up with route 9. The only booklet we had was for route 9 so I wasn't aware that it would be a 3500 foot ascent. We climbed...and climbed and climbed. The bike has plenty of gears though--so I just put it on the lowest gear and balanced going 2 mph. Gstaad was just gorgeous--as was Schoenreid. We LOVED the hotel there. They were amazing. Our luggage wasn't there yet but they greeted us with a warm towel and champagne.
We had a rain delay on day 3, but we ended up getting out by 11 that morning and we are glad we did. We saw some amazing views and only had to go a little over 20 miles--flat miles.
Day 4 we decided to skip the boat to Interlaken and just follow route 9--which added about 10 miles. The 4 lakes you bike along are just stunning. The water color is Caribbean blue! That day is relatively flat other than a pretty long climb up to a gorgeous waterfall. So worth it. We stayed in Wilen, but I would recommend going 2 extra miles and staying in Sarnen. There weren't any restaurants or anything in Wilen. We ate at our hotel--which was AMAZING though. We had a 2 course steak dinner. I've never had that before.
Day 5 we biked to Lucerne. It was a pretty easy day. Lower mileage and pretty flat. We took the advice from a previous review and stayed in Lucerne. I regretted it. It's a nice city--but it was so crowded and over priced compared to the serenity we enjoyed the other parts of the trip!!
Day 6 we started in Lucerne vs Zug which is 100km from Rapperswill. My husband convinced me to bike the entire thing since it was our last day. We did it! It wasn't easy but what a way to go out. The last climb into Lake Zermatt is a giver--but the view at the top of the hill is breathtaking.
We got alot better at reading the signs. Someone gave us a tip at the beginning--if you don't see a sign for awhile, you probably missed one--because there are so many. You definitely need to download maps.me and make sure you download all of the Switzerland maps (6) so you don't end up in an area you haven't downloaded yet when you need it. (day 1 for us!)
There was more of a language barrier than I expected. They spoke french the first day or two and then German. Many people in the country don't speak English; however they always seemed to know what "beer" was. :)
Things would have gone smoother if the travel documents had just a simple bullet point or two rather than an arrow buried in the map. We were so set on Route 9 that a simple note that told us to look for Route 59 here and here would have been really helpful. Every single time I emailed before the trip asking questions, the staff responded quickly. It was great. They are also pretty flexible so if you want to stay in one place vs another or want to spend a couple days in one city--let them know, chances are, they can probably accommodate your request. We upgraded to the Class A hotels and definitely recommend that. We also took everyone's advice and got sandwiches for lunch, so we could stop anytime we needed to. There were quite a few places along the way to grab a quick sandwich though. It seemed like kitchens closed 2-6. Coops will become your friend fast!
We definitely recommend this tour and we plan on possibly doing it again soon!!! SHOW MORE- What was the date of your tour?
- July 28-August 3
- How many tours have you completed?
- this was our first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Rob Sudekum
Stunning landscapes
Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
Overall, a super great trip. The route is stunning. Navigating is super easy, just follow the number 9 signs and that’s it. I think the printed maps provided should be rethought, if anything they make life more confusing. The recommended app is better but still not perfect. I think it’d be super helpful if biketours.com provided a few highlights for each day. There is a lot to see along the way. I think the suggestions to take a train in spots because of busy traffic is unnecessary.
Overall, I loved the ride and would recommended it to anyone. Note: we opted for electric bikes and would definitely recommend it.
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
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