Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
7 nights from 2512
4.83Cycle 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.
Beautiful Ride through Switzerland
“We had a fantastic trip and a great experience with BikeTours.com. We had to adjust our original trip due to a death in the family and BikeTours was wonderful to quickly…” Full Review
“We had a fantastic trip and a great experience with BikeTours.com. We had to adjust our original trip due to a death in the family and BikeTours was wonderful to quickly re-schedule everything so that we didn’t have to cancel our trip. We also requested to leave our bikes in Interlaken for a few days so that we could spend a few days hiking in the Lauterbrunnen Valley (HIGHLY recommended) and BikeTours was very accommodating and booked the extra hotels in Murren and Grindlewald for us (hint: skip the crowded Grindlewald and stay in Wengen instead). Our hotel in Interlaken was downgraded due to the short re-scheduling notice, but we were just happy to be able to take the trip. We highly recommend this trip AND Bike Tours.com!” Less
—Anna
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
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 and surroundings
25 miles / 40 km; ascents - 2133 ft / 650m, descents - 787 ft / 240 m
Cycle along tranquil roads leading you to the source of the most popular cheese of Switzerland: the Gruyère, which shares its name with the landscape. The Gruyère region captivates with its lush green landscapes, cheerful cowbells, rich cheesemaking traditions, and charming rural scenery. 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 10:00 am-5:00 pm).
Overnight in Gruyère/surroundings
Day 3: Gruyère and surroundings – Gstaad and surroundings
25 miles / 41 km; ascents - 1,936 ft / 590 m, descents 1,115 ft / 340 m
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 - 984 ft / 300 m, descents 2, 395 ft / 730 m
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, Jungfraujoch, or the lively mountain villages Wengen and Mürren.
Overnight in Spiez
Day 6: Lake Thun – Lake Sarnen
37 miles / 60 km; ascents - 3, 543 ft / 1,080 m, descents - 3,839 ft / 1,170 m
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
21 miles / 34 km; ascents - 689 ft / 210 m, descents - 853 ft / 260 m
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
Loading reviews…
More About This Tour
Related Bike Tours 
Rhône River Route: Oberwald to Geneva
Switzerland 
Lake Constance to Lake Maggiore
Switzerland 
Highlights of the Swiss Rhine: Lake Constance to Basel
Switzerland 
Email
Office Hours