The first thing you hear isn’t traffic, but a cowbell. You’re standing in Vevey, on the shore of Lake Geneva; you’ve just dropped off your suitcase at the baggage counter, and for the next five days, all you’ll need is a daypack. Ahead of you lie 227 kilometers of Switzerland. Not the tour bus version, but the one you’ll experience from the saddle. Go directly to prices and request a quote.
The Lakes Route (Seen-Route, National Cycling Route No. 9) runs from Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne, passing one lake after another along the way. No grueling mountain stages for seasoned cyclists, but a route that takes you past cheese-making villages, glacial valleys, and wooden chalets—with the occasional steep climb between two lakes. You book it directly with our local specialist, who arranges the accommodations, luggage transport, and navigation for you. All you have to do is ride.
The Lakes Route connects the famous towns of Montreux, Gruyères, Gstaad, Interlaken, and Lucerne, but lets you experience them from the saddle. That changes everything. No buses rushing by, no hunting for parking: you simply cycle on as the landscape unfolds before you. And because you set your own pace, you stop where the tourist keeps riding. At that cheese factory along the road, that bench by the lake, the village you’d otherwise ride right past.
The tour consists of five stages, each with its own unique character. Together, they cover approximately 227 kilometers, spread over five days and four nights.
Drop off your luggage in Vevey, hop on your bike, and head south. You’ll ride along quiet roads to the heart of the Gruyère region. The land of the cheese of the same name, of rolling green hills, tinkling cowbells, and farms that have looked the same for centuries. A short, gentle first stage: a warm introduction to the Swiss rhythm.
Today you’ll cycle through the Pays-d’Enhaut and the Saanenland: picture-perfect Switzerland at its best. Chalets with wood carvings, cheese dairies along the route, the first snow-capped peaks in the distance, and the centuries-old tradition of paper cutting. Gstaad is your final destination: notorious as a chic ski resort, but surprisingly laid-back outside of peak season.
The Simmental Valley is one of the most beautiful sections of the route. The wooden houses here are works of art in their own right, each with carved facades and painted shutters. The Simme is a wild mountain river; as you cycle along the bank, canoes and rubber boats dance on the current. The route ends in Spiez, a water sports village on the azure-blue Lake Thun.
The longest and most varied day. In the morning, you’ll take the boat from Spiez to Interlaken; put your feet up and have your camera ready. Along the shore of Lake Brienz, the route climbs steeply in places to Meiringen, after which you take the train over the Brünig Pass. On the other side lies Obwalden: a small canton with a large valley, scattered hamlets, tranquil lakes, and long-standing traditions.
The final stretch. As soon as Lake Lucerne comes into view, Mount Pilatus towers above you. Bay after bay, you cycle toward Lucerne; the one city where every traveler eventually ends up, and for good reason. Here you return your bike, pick up your suitcase, and travel back at your own pace. Or you can just stick around for one more night.
When you’re on a bike, you actually get to see the parts of Switzerland that the tour bus just zooms past.
You can rush through Switzerland by car in two days. But then you’ll miss exactly what it’s all about. On a bike, your attention shifts to the details: the clump of herbs along the road, the color of the meadows in late spring, the sound of a stream you would never have heard otherwise. You travel more slowly, and thus more deeply.
And since you’ll find the most peace and quiet outside of peak season—in May and June the meadows are in bloom, and in September and October the hillsides turn golden yellow—you’ll also be helping to spread tourism more evenly.
The best part of this trip: you ride it yourself, but you don’t have to arrange anything on your own. You book direct with our Swiss specialist in self-guided cycling and hiking tours. They take care of:
Self-guided means: no group, no guide rushing you along, no set schedule. You set off whenever you like and stop wherever you please. Ideal for couples, solo travelers, and small groups who prefer to go at their own pace.
Tip from Madelon: Can’t decide between a regular touring bike and an e-bike? The route is mostly flat along the lakes, but the sections connecting them can be challenging. If you mainly want to enjoy the scenery (and the cheese), go for the e-bike.
Both Vevey and Lucerne are easily accessible by train , even from the Netherlands. Not only does this save you the hassle of finding parking, but it also aligns with the way we prefer to travel: with as little impact as possible. The organization also gives you an SBB voucher worth CHF 10 per person, which you can use to get a discount on your train ticket within Switzerland. Just drop off your suitcase at the baggage counter at the station; it’ll be waiting for you at the end of the day.
| Route | Lake Route (Seen-Route No. 9), Vevey–Lucerne section |
| Distance | Approx. 227 km, divided into 5 stages |
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
| Level | Moderate. Runs right along the lakes, with some climbs in between (e-bikes are recommended for those who prefer a more leisurely pace) |
| Type | Self-guided (couples, individuals, small groups) |
| Season | Approx. late March–mid-October; best time to visit: May–June and September–October |
| Departure | Vevey (accessible by train) |
| Arrival | Lucerne (return by train) |
| Price | March 26–April 24 and September 26–October 18: CHF 999 per person; April 25–September 25: CHF 1,059, based on double occupancy. Additional nights can be booked upon request. |
| Surcharge for 1 person | CHF 219 |
| Bike Rental | Optional: 27-speed touring bike (CHF 145) or e-bike (CHF 255) |
| What’s included | Breakfast, luggage transport, boat trip from Spiez to Interlaken, and navigation |
When you request a quote, we’ll forward it to our local partner, who will confirm it directly with you if approved. You’ll pay the same price as if you were booking directly. You’ll handle the rest of the booking and payment directly with the local provider (with whom we have a good working relationship and established agreements). We’re always available to answer any questions you may have.
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The route is considered moderate. The terrain is mostly flat along the lakes, but there are shorter and longer climbs between them. If you’d like to take it easy, choose an e-bike; athletic cyclists can ride the stages on a regular touring bike and shorten the route by taking public transportation.
Our local partner provides daily luggage transport: one suitcase per person, up to 20 kg. You drop off your luggage in the morning, and it will be back at your hotel by evening. While on the road, you’ll cycle with just a daypack.
The trip is available from around late March through mid-October. The best times to visit are late spring (May–June), when the meadows are in bloom, and early fall (September–October), when the hillsides turn golden yellow. Plus, the route is quieter then than during the busy summer months.
No. This is a self-guided tour. You cycle at your own pace, set off whenever you like, and there is no guide or group accompanying you. Navigation is handled via an app with GPS tracks, and if you have any questions along the way, there is a service hotline available.
Yes. Both Vevey and Lucerne are easily accessible by train, even from the Netherlands. So you don’t need to bring a car. And the organizers will give you an SBB voucher worth CHF 10 off your train ticket in Switzerland.
The base price starts at CHF 999 per person for 5 days / 4 nights, including accommodation with breakfast, daily luggage transport, the Spiez–Interlaken boat trip, and navigation. Bike rental is optional. The exact price depends on the departure date and availability.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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