Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
7 nights from 2398
4.81Cycle the lakes and rivers nearby Switzerlands idyllic alps.
Beginning in Lake Geneva and finishing at Lake Lucerne, the Lake Route earns its name from the many lakes the route touches from beginning to end. This route leads through outstanding touristic regions with great sounding names: Montreux, Gruyères, Gstaad, Interlaken, and Lucerne. Whoever completes the Lakes-Route has undoubtedly seen the most beautiful corners of Switzerland!
To make this tour more accessible to all cyclists, we recommend renting an electrically assisted bike for this trip.
Switzerland on wheels
“A perfect way to experience Switzerland! The trail was well marked and the app worked well. All but one hotel was amazing. We had no problems with our luggage. It was in our room when we arrived.”
—Mary
Like Riding through a postcard
“This was a wonderful tour! The GPS was easy to follow and much of the tour was on bike paths or rural roads. The locals were very respectful on the busier roads and we did not…” Full Review
“This was a wonderful tour! The GPS was easy to follow and much of the tour was on bike paths or rural roads. The locals were very respectful on the busier roads and we did not feel unsafe. We had an incident with one of the bikes (our fault not theirs) and they were very responsive and understanding and arranged for a replacement bike immediately. The hotels were great. We were initially disappointed to not be staying right in Gruyere but the included spa at our hotel made the extra pedaling worth it. The tour company was also very flexible with our itinerary as we only spent one night in Spiez and then added 2 nights in Interlaken (something I highly recommend doing). The scenery in Switzerland is unmatched and many days we road along the countryside listening to the cow bells in the hills. We started in the French speaking area and ended in the German. The last 2 days past many clear blue lakes but each one was a different shade of tourquoise! The last day rode us right past the starting point for Pilatus and the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Beautiful views and easy to get a ticket day of.” Less
—Marci C
Amazing trip
“We were a family of 8 and we had the best time! We loved the route that was set up, we thought everyday was the highlight, then the next day would provide more. Loved being on our…” Full Review
“We were a family of 8 and we had the best time! We loved the route that was set up, we thought everyday was the highlight, then the next day would provide more. Loved being on our own schedule. The hotels picked were perfect, usually right on the water with great views. We enjoyed 2 hotels with spa/baths. It was a very hot week in Switzerland and most hotels did not have AC, which isn’t preferable, but the next week looked to be chilly and rainy, so I’ll take our perfect weather! We probably ate half of our dinners at the hotels and they were very good. The e-bikes were the best, everyone could get the amount of exercise they wanted. Batteries easily lasted all day. GPS and app were great and provided all the necessary info. They were comfortable. The luggage transport was seamless, usually arriving just after we did. The family thought it was one of the best trips we have taken and we travel a lot. We are already looking to do another. Great adventure!” Less
—Carrie R
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival in Vevey
Stroll along the promenade and enjoy the breath-taking views of the Lake Geneva and the snow white glaciers of the nearby Mont-Blanc massif.
Overnight in Vevey
Day 2: Vevey – Gruyère Charmey and surroundings
25-31 miles/40–50 km; ascents - 1,969-2,805 ft / 600-855m, descents - 1,640-2,411 ft / 500-735m
From Vevey, take the rack railway up to the Mont-Pèlerin (ticket not included in tour cost; approximately CHF9 per person, including bike). Tranquil roads lead you to the source of the most popular cheese of Switzerland: the Gruyère, which shares its name with the landscape. A recent symphony of green melancholy, cowbells and customs. Before you head towards the hotel, have a sweet-break and visit the chocolate factory Maison Cailler in Broc (entrance included in tour cost; open hours are daily from 10:00am-5:00pm).
Overnight in Gruyère/surroundings
Day 3: Gruyère and surroundings – Gstaad and surroundings
29 miles/46 km; ascents - 1,969 ft / 600m,
descents - 1,033 ft / 315m)
Postcard country Switzerland: cheeseries, chalets, snowy mountains, cable cars, hotel scent and papercutting. Away from the idyll, the Pays d’Enhaut and the Saaneneland are a magnificent landscape, animated by the haze of celebrity and happy mountain goers.
Overnight in Gstaad/surroundings
Day 4: Gstaad and surroundings – Spiez
33 miles/53 km; ascents - 1,263 ft / 385m, descents - 2,657 ft / 810m
The artfully decorated wooden houses of the Simmental belong to the most beautiful of Europe. The Simme remains a wild river that demands a lot from dinghy riders. Spiez is a water sports paradise on the shore of cheerful Lake Thun.
Overnight in Spiez
Day 5: Rest day at Spiez
Spiez is the portal to Grindelwald and to Wengen. The high peaks of the Bernese Oberland can be easily reached by train and a day off at this Lake gives you the opportunity to visit sights like Harder Kulm above Interlaken, Jungfrau Joch, or the lively mountain villages Wengen and Murren.
Overnight in Spiez
Day 6: Lake Thun – Lake Sarnen
37 miles/60 km; ascents - 4,757 ft / 1,450m, descents - 3,937 ft / 1,200m
You'll transfer by boat from Spiez to Interlaken this morning. On the shore of Lake Brienz there is a steep rise to get to Meiringen where you take the train across the Brünigpass (ticket not included in tour cost; approximately CHF7 per person, including bike). You reach Obwalden: a small Canton, a big Valley, a pre-alpine landscape with scattered villages, flat lakes and long traditions.
Overnight in Lake Sarnen
Day 7: Lake Sarnen – Lucerne
22 miles/35 km; ascents - 787 ft / 240m, descents - 1,017 ft / 310m
As soon as you get a glimpse of the Lake of Lucerne the Pilatus is in your path. Bay after bay right to Lucerne, a fixed point for every tourist.
Overnight in Lucerne
Day 8: Departure or extension
Departure after breakfast.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.
You will be accommodated in select 3- and 4-star hotels
Vevey: Hotel Astra
Gruyère Charmey: Hotel Cailler
Gstaad: Gstaaderhof
Spiez: Hotel La Belle Vue
Sarnen: Wilerbad
Lucerne: Hotel Continental
Visitor's taxes, where due, are not included in the price of the tour. You will pay the tax directly to your hotel reception upon check out.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Standard touring bike
Touring Bike Country-Bike TdS
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminium
- Derailleur gear: Shimano Alivio 3x9-Gang
- Brakes: V-Brake Shimano Alivio
- Wheel size: 26"
Frame sizes:
- S = 44 cm (body height 150 - 172 cm)
- M = 50 cm (body height 172 - 186 cm)
- M = 56 cm (body height 186 - 196 cm)
The saddle is a Selle Royal, it is a wider saddle and most find it quite comfortable.
Electrically-assisted bike
E-bike Flyer C-series
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminium
- Gearshift:
- built 2021: Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub gears
- built 2022: Shimano Nexus 5-speed hub gears
- Brakes: Magura HS22 (hydraulisch) rim brakes
- Suspension fork: SR Suntour NEX, 63mm
- Motor: Panasonic 36V/250W mid-engine
- Battery: Panasonic Li-Ion-Mangan 15Ah/36V (540Wh)
- Operating distance: max. 100 km
- Wheel size: 28" (size XS: 26")
- Total weight: max. 149 kg
Frame sizes:
- XS = 41 cm (body height < 160 cm)
- S = 45 cm (body height 160 - 170 cm)
- M = 50 cm (body height 170 - 180 cm)
- L = 55 cm (body height > 180 cm)
The saddle is a Selle Royal, it is a wider saddle and most find it quite comfortable.
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Accessories
All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:
- Saddle bag (water-repellent), rear
- Tools
- Repair kit (with extra bicycle tube)
- Pump
- Lock
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are available on this tour but must be reserved in advance. We recommend that you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival for safety and hygiene purposes.
Surface and terrain
Along the totally 16 lakes between Montreux and Horn the route is of course smooth and flat – but between the lakes there are some minor passes to cross.
The tour is mostly on roads and trails, with only 9% of the tour on natural surfaces. E-bikes are recommended to make this tour leisurely and more accessible to all cyclists.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Geneva Cointrin International Airport
Nearest train station: Montreux
Tour end
Nearest airport: Zurich International Airport
Nearest train station: Lucerne
The journey from Lucerne to Zurich city by train is approximately 1 hour in duration, cost is approximately CHF10-30, and departures are every 30 minutes. There are direct trains from Lucerne to Zurich airport. The duration is approximately 1hr and 15 min, cost is approximately CHF10-20 per person, and departures are approximately every 30 minutes.
Tips on getting to and from your tour
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