Bikepacking - Crossing Switzerland with a gravel bike
This summer, we had one of the best experiences on a bike ever! Crossing Switzerland on a gravel bike is something to add to your bucket list. In just four days, we cycled across this incredible country. Riding through amazing gravel roads, single trails, some tarmac roads, but most importantly, surrounded by the incredible scenery of Switzerland. We climbed some mountain passes in the Swiss Alps, enjoyed some flat sections next to the rivers and lakes, covering over 430 km and 8000 m of elevation of pure beauty!
In this blog you’ll find the routes, coffee stops, and all the information you need to hopefully inspire you to get on the bike and experience this amazing journey yourself.
Day 1: Rorschach to Zurich
The first stage start in the far east of Switzerland, on the shore of Lake Constance in the town of Rorschach. It’s just 1h30 from Zurich Main station with the direct train. As we live in Zurich, we could do the first part without the bags and enjoy a lighter ride.
This first part has a great amount of gravel roads, but mostly scenic views of the Swiss countryside, and most importantly, some great coffee along the way! There are a couple of places where you’ll have to push your bike, but most of the ride is very enjoyable.
Coffee Stops:
Cafè Bar La Moka (Wil)
Punkt28 (Wetzikon)
Day 2: Zurich to Meiringen
This second stage will take you straight into the Swiss Alps. It includes two climbs: the first one just after leaving Zurich, as you ascend the Uetliberg, and the second takes you over the Brünig Pass. However, most of the ride are on flat gravel roads.
Coffee stops:
Café Nord (Lucerne)
Day 3: Meiringen to Lenk im Simmental
From the heart of the Swiss Alps, you have two options. You can go all out and add the Grosse Scheidegg to your route, which is one of the most amazing roads in Switzerland (if you have the legs for it, I really recommend you do it). Alternatively, you can save your energy for the end of the day and climb to the top of the Adelboden-Lenk ski resort. Here, I share the conservative route.
Coffee stops:
Day 4: Lenk im Simmental to Montreux
The last day is the best part of the whole trip. It’s an epic conclusion to crossing Switzerland with a gravel bike. First, you’ll descend the beautiful Boden Valley, then continue towards the Gstaad area before climbing the beautiful Mittelberg Pass. You'll finish the day with an epic mountain trail that is more suitable for a mountain bike than a gravel bike, but we still managed to reach the top of Col de Jaman before the crazy descent to Montreux.
Coffee stops:
In conclusion
This journey through the Swiss Alps with a gravel bike has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each stage offers its own unique challenges and breathtaking scenery. Riding from Lake Constance in the far east of Switzerland to Lake Geneva in the far west, you cross incredible landscapes, climb challenging routes in the middle of the Swiss Alps, and traverse flat gravel roads that feel like you are flying.
A total of 430km and 8000m of elevation of pure joy.
I hope this blog inspires you to cross Switzerland with your bike!
