Cycling Switzerland. The 5 most beautiful Swiss cycle routes [2025]
Switzerland is a dream destination for cycling tourism, offering a unique mix of stunning alpine landscapes, crystal-clear lakes and charming towns. The country boasts a well-developed network of national and regional cycling routes, making it easy to explore both famous highlights and hidden gems on two wheels. Among the most remarkable routes are the Rhine Route, following one of Europe’s greatest rivers, the Lakes Route, connecting Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes, and the North-South Route, which takes cyclists from the German border all the way to the heart of the Alps. With well-marked routes stretching across the country, Switzerland invites cyclists to experience its landscapes at their own pace.
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How do we create our ranking? Each cycling route is rated across seven categories, with ratings assigned from 1 to 5 points. These categories include the amount of cycling infrastructure along the route, sightseeing opportunities, scenic beauty, accessibility by train (covering the start, end and key stops), the availability of dining and accommodation options, the quality of informational resources, and our personal impressions. A route can earn a maximum of 35 points in total.
The most beautiful routes in Switzerland:
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All photos by Simon Thread, Cycling Thread.
Lakes Cycle Route (Seen-Route)
Switzerland straight out of a postcard - that’s how the official Swiss cycling website describes the Lakes Route. This spectacular route stretches over 500 kilometers, offering much more than just a ride past ten stunning lakes. Along the way you’ll discover some of the country’s most iconic spots: the storybook village of Werdenberg, beautiful Lucerne set against the backdrop of Mount Pilatus, the peaceful lakeside town of Iseltwald on Lake Brienz, the rolling hills of Gruyère and the terraced Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cascading down to Lake Geneva.
We set aside six days to cover the roughly 350 kilometers of the Lakes Route. Looking back, though, it’s clear that was at least two days too short. A bit more time would have let us properly enjoy places like Lucerne and Lausanne - cities that really deserve at least half a day more, if not a full extra day. Switzerland is a country full of contrasts - from modern attractions to deep-rooted traditions and rich history - so rushing through felt like a missed opportunity in some spots. Still, our plan to cycle around 70 kilometers per day, based on the availability of accommodations, turned out to be a good choice. (35)
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Rhine Cycle Route (Rhein-Route)
The Rhine Cycle Route in Switzerland marks the starting point of EuroVelo 15, a major European cycling route that stretches over 1,200 kilometers all the way to the Rhine’s mouth at the North Sea. The Swiss section begins in the alpine town of Andermatt, from where it climbs toward the Oberalp Pass. Starting from the river’s source near the pass and continuing to Chur, the route follows the upper section of the Rhine, known as the Vorderrhein or Anterior Rhine, with one of its most spectacular highlights being the dramatic ride through the Ruinaulta, often called Switzerland’s Grand Canyon.
After passing through Chur in the canton of Graubünden, the Rhine slows down and winds through a wide valley until it reaches Lake Constance. From there, the route takes cyclists along lively towns on the southern shore of the lake, then past the charming town of Stein am Rhein, and finally along the riverbanks to Europe’s largest waterfall, the Rhine Falls. The journey continues through the Rhine valley toward Basel, where the Swiss part of the route officially ends. Although the official distance is listed as 430 kilometers, by the time we finished, our bike computers showed nearly 480 kilometers, including a few detours and side trips. (34)
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Aare Cycle Route (Aare-Route)
The Aare Cycle Route offers a fantastic way to experience Switzerland’s diverse scenery, from dramatic alpine landscapes to peaceful lakeshores and charming medieval towns. It’s a popular choice for cyclists looking to explore both the natural beauty and cultural richness of the country. The route begins near the Grimsel Pass and descends through stunning mountain views to Meiringen, where the river has carved out the impressive Aare Gorge. From there, it continues along the shores of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. After reaching Bern, with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, the route winds through the Swiss Mittelland - a region of gentle hills and quiet farmland.
The journey finishes in Koblenz, where the Aare flows into the Rhine, wrapping up a ride that showcases some of Switzerland’s best landscapes. Along the way, cyclists pass picturesque villages, historic castles, and well-kept vineyards, offering plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views. The route is well-marked and mostly follows quiet roads and dedicated bike paths, making it suitable for both experienced cyclists and those seeking a more relaxed ride. With its mix of nature, culture, and smooth infrastructure, the Aare Cycle Route is one of the best ways to discover Switzerland at a comfortable pace. (33)
More: Aare Cycle Route in Switzerland (coming soon) 👇
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North-South Cycle Route (Nord-Süd-Route)
The Nord-Süd-Route, or North-South Route, is one of the best-known long-distance cycling routes in Switzerland. Starting in Basel, near the German and French borders, and ending in Chiasso on the border with Italy, the Nord-Süd-Route takes cyclists on an unforgettable journey through Switzerland from north to south. One of its most famous highlights is the legendary Gotthard Pass, which allows riders to cross the main chain of the Alps. Covering more than 360 kilometers, this route promises a true cycling adventure, although it is more demanding than many other routes from Switzerland’s national "top 9" collection.
Although the name suggests traveling from north to south, we deliberately chose to ride in the opposite direction. Cycling south means pedaling straight into the sun - squinting all day, sunglasses or not, and ending up with extra wrinkles as a souvenir. More importantly, it also means missing out on the best views of the mountains of Switzerland. By heading north, with the sun behind us, we had a constant companion lighting up the breathtaking alpine scenery in front of us, instead of blinding our eyes. Riding with the sun at our backs also helped protect our faces from overexposure - sunscreen is a must, but keeping your face out of direct sunlight by facing away from it is even better. (33)
More: North-South Route in Switzerland
Jura Cycle Route (Jura-Route)
Although the official length of the Jura Route is 266 kilometers, by the time we reached the end, our bike computers showed nearly 300 kilometers. The Jura Route is rated as difficult in the Schweiz Mobil system, and it really deserves that label. I have to admit, I underestimated how tough this route would be, and as a result, our four-day ride turned out to be more exhausting than we expected for what was supposed to be a relaxed cycling holiday. The official elevation gain says it all: more than 5,400 meters of climbing throughout the route, which meant that we had to conquer well over a thousand meters up every day.
Nowadays, it’s not easy to find places in Europe that are so peaceful and idyllic. Day after day, as we followed the dark red cycling signs, we found ourselves in yet another quiet mountain valley, where the only company we had were cows calmly grazing in the meadows. These white, beige, brown, and black cows are a familiar sight here - sometimes even blocking the path, looking as puzzled by our presence as we were by theirs. Along the Jura Route, you’ll often see signs asking cyclists and hikers to show respect for the animals, especially for mother cows with calves. (27)
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