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Biking
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Switzerland Bike Tour
Alpine Delights from Montreux to Lucerne
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $6,499 - $7,199 pp dbl occ
($1,900 - $2,250 for sgl occ)
Switzerland reaches alpine heights. Add in a splash of the country's colorful and flavorful heartland, and you have a pairing as perfect as wine and cheese. Bike through sloping vineyards overlooking the Mont Blanc. Dip into fondue in the shadow of Gruyères Castle. From stately Lake Geneva to fairy-tale Lake Lucerne. French to German. Cities to villages. Try a sampling of Switzerland.
Switzerland Bike Tour map
Switzerland
Start Montreux / End Lucerne
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Pedal against the backdrop of the Alps in one of the most bike-friendly countries
- Ascend dramatic mountain ranges on scenic trains, funiculars and an exterior elevator to behold expansive views you’ll never forget
- Discover Switzerland’s history and culture with city tours, tastings at cheese farms and local traditions
- Wander idyllic towns and chalet-filled villages replete with timeless architecture
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description
Begin in Montreux and enjoy a short journey to the region of Gruyère, world-famous for its cheese | Visit the medieval hilltop town of Gruyères, admiring its historic castle and enchanting location | Bike between wildflowers and forests in the protected nature park of Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut | Inviting chalets adorned with flowers and flags await in the town of Gstaad.
Accommodations
Le Grand Bellevue
Gstaad
| Premiere Hotel Bright and tranquil chalet-inspired rooms offer luxurious, cozy furnishings with breathtaking alpine views. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
Description
Rolling hills and wooden bridges lead past grazing brown and white cows on a bike ride through the Simmental Valley | Behold the bright blue waters of Lake Thun and pause to take in its beauty | Climb to the top of Harder Kulm in a historic funicular and bask in the panoramic views | Cycle from the red tile roofs of Thun through the green pastures of Emmental Valley, the heartland of Swiss cheese | Indulge in the art and precision of crafting cheese on a visit to a local cheese farm.
Accommodations
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Interlaken
| Premiere Hotel Classic, stately architecture is combined with chic, stylish décor at this historic hotel in the town of Interlaken. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Description
Embark on a scenic train ride up to Brünig Pass, gently winding past hillside farmlands before a smooth bike ride down | Round Lake Lucerne and marvel at the tree-covered slopes that meet its glacial waters | Explore Lucerne’s medieval architecture and stone streets and a bridge laced with flowers | Hike a picturesque loop before riding up the towering Hammetschwand Elevator, the highest exterior elevator in Europe, and look out on the chain of mountaintops on the horizon.
Accommodations
Waldhotel Bürgenstock
Obbürgen
| Premiere Hotel With a beautiful blend of warm wooden elements and local stone, the décor of this elegant property is as inviting as the hospitality.
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
June 2024
July 2024
August 2024
September 2024
Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
From our Guests
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Activity Level:
2-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The biking terrain on this trip varies from level to rolling with a few steeper climbs. Most of our rides are on car-free bike paths; the Backroads support van will intersect with the routes at strategic points. Keep in mind that we'll be riding at high elevation, and the substantial elevation gain and loss (as well as the rugged terrain) can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
Daily Route Options
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The biking terrain on this trip varies from level to rolling with a few steeper climbs. Most of our rides are on car-free bike paths; the Backroads support van will intersect with the routes at strategic points. Keep in mind that we'll be riding at high elevation, and the substantial elevation gain and loss (as well as the rugged terrain) can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Terrain & Shuttles
For the best riding in Switzerland, we've chosen a combination of small quiet roads and some unpaved bike paths with short stretches of limited van support. Our bikes are equipped with slightly wider tires to accommodate the path and trail surfaces. There are also some sections of urban cycling on busier roads at the end of most rides; you can always hop in the shuttle to skip these.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Terrain & Shuttles
For the best riding in Switzerland, we've chosen a combination of small quiet roads and some unpaved bike paths with short stretches of limited van support. Our bikes are equipped with slightly wider tires to accommodate the path and trail surfaces. There are also some sections of urban cycling on busier roads at the end of most rides; you can always hop in the shuttle to skip these.
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