From Interlaken to Bad Zurzach through swiss Forests & nature reserves

Follow the Aare River from Interlaken to Bad Zurzach through the varied landscapes of Switzerland. From the Aare Valley and the UNESCO-listed city of Bern to the floodplain forests of Seeland, the Häftli nature reserve and the historic towns of Solothurn and Aarau, this cycling holiday reveals a quieter side of Switzerland shaped by rivers, forests, wetlands and countryside.

A Flexible Way to Discover Switzerland by Bike

This self-guided bike tour combines daily cycling stages with the freedom to explore Switzerland at your own pace. The route is prepared for you, while luggage transfer, digital travel documents, GPS data and a service hotline make it easy to focus on the journey and the landscapes along the Aare.

ROUTE

The route follows the Aare from Interlaken towards Bad Zurzach, crossing a changing landscape of wide river valleys, open fields, floodplain forests and nature reserves. Along the way, it connects the UNESCO-listed old town of Bern with Biel, the baroque city of Solothurn and Aarau, while the Seeland region, Lake Wohlen, the Häftli nature reserve and the Grenchner Witi add a strong natural dimension to the journey.

The self-guided format lets you discover this changing landscape independently. From the peaceful floodplain forests and nature reserves to the historic towns along the Aare, each stage brings a different side of Switzerland into the cycling experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: Interlaken – Thun – Bern

36 km | 145 m ascent | 160 m descent

After arriving in Interlaken and dropping off your luggage, take the boat to Thun with your bicycle. From Thun, cycle through the wide Aare Valley, passing large villages, open fields and lush water meadows along the river. The route then continues towards Bern, where the UNESCO-listed old town marks the end of the stage.

Day 2: Bern – Biel

49 km | 380 m ascent | 485 m descent

Leave Bern’s UNESCO-listed old town and cycle towards Lake Wohlen before following the Aare into the Seeland region. The route passes the Hagneck Canal and continues through reed beds and floodplain forests, with views towards Lake Biel. The stage ends in Biel, a bilingual city known for its watchmaking tradition.

Day 3: Biel – Solothurn

31 km | 15 m ascent | 20 m descent

From Biel, follow the Nidau-Büren Canal towards the Häftli nature reserve and its Aare backwater loop. The route continues across the flat Grenchner Witi, a landscape rich in birdlife and home to the Altreu stork colony. Following the meandering Aare, you reach Solothurn, where the St. Ursen Tower rises above the baroque city.

Day 4: Solothurn – Aarau

60 km | 340 m ascent | 390 m descent

Follow the Aare from Solothurn towards Aarau through a landscape where riverside settlements, cities, factories and industrial areas meet the foothills of the Jura Mountains. Along the way, the built-up sections alternate with the peaceful landscapes of the Swiss Plateau and nearby nature.

Day 5: Aarau – Bad Zurzach

51 km | 165 m ascent | 195 m descent

Cycle along the Aare through floodplain landscapes that provide a habitat for birds, irises and beavers. The route passes reservoirs before reaching the area where the Reuss, Limmat and Aare converge. Continue towards Bad Zurzach, where the cycling tour ends and you can depart or extend your stay.

Day 6: End of your trip or extension

Additional nights can be organized on request.

Route map Aare River Cycle Route Through Swiss

Getting to Interlaken(Departure Point)

By Train: Interlaken is the starting point of the cycling tour and can be reached by public transport. A CHF 10 SBB train voucher is provided per participant towards the train ticket.

Return journey: The tour ends in Bad Zurzach. you can depart by public transport. A return transfer from Bad Zurzach to Interlaken is also available at an additional cost, with a maximum of 7 people per transfer.

Arrival Recommendation
We recommend arriving one day early for a relaxed start. An additional night can be requested.

How to book this tour

We require a deposit of 25% of the tour price per person upon reservation; final payment 6 weeks before tour departure.

ASK FOR AN OFFER

Included

Accommodation in the selected category, including breakfast
Daily luggage transfer.
Luggage pick-up at the station for direct arrival and departure
Boat ride from Interlaken to Thun, including bicycle
Carefully prepared route description
Digital travel documents and navigation app and GPS data
Subsidy for arrival by train:
10 CHF Swiss Federal Railways voucher per participant
One-year SwitzerlandMobility-Plus subscription
Service hotline

NOT Included

Individual travel to departure point.
Bicycle or E-bike rental
Local tourist tax (where applicable)
Lunches, dinners and drinks
Reservation fee
Travel insurance
Anything not listed as included is not included

Check available options

Departures & Prices

Choose the option that best fits your schedule and start planning your cycling journey.

Prices are per person in a double room in 2027.

Season 1

20 Mar – 23 Apr | 25 Sepr – 17 Oct
Arrival Saturday–Monday

Cat.A

1085 CHF

Cat.B

975 CHF

Options & Supplements

✓Cat.A

+299 CHF Single supplement

✓Cat.B

+275 CHF Single supplement

Season 2

24 Apr – 24 Sep
Arrival daily

Cat.A

1135 CHF

Cat.B

1025 CHF

Options & Supplements

✓Cat.A

+299 CHF Single supplement

✓Cat.B

+275 CHF Single supplement

Reservation fee: 20 CHF per adult

Accommodation

Carefully selected to ensure comfort, quality, and a relaxing and unforgettable journey.

Choose Your Accommodation

Category A

Higher accommodation category with a selection of 4-star and 3-star hotels along the route. It is a great choice for travellers looking for a more premium hotel experience.

Category B

Comfortable 3-star hotel accommodation throughout the tour. It provides a practical option for travellers who want to enjoy the same cycling experience while choosing a more affordable accommodation category.

Additional nights

Prices per person, including breakfast

Interlaken

Double Room 125 CHF
Single room +75 CHF

Bad Zurzach

Double Room 125 CHF
Single room +75 CHF

Things to Know

We require a 25% deposit for the trip upon reservation; final payment is due 6 weeks before tour departure, either by bank transfer (no fees on behalf of Bravo Bike) or by Credit card (Visa/Mastercard), for an additional cost of 0.5%.

Up to 29 days before the start of travel: 20% min. 50€
From 28 to 15 days prior to the start of travel: 50%
From 14 to 08 days prior to the start of travel: 70%
From 07 to 01 days prior to the start of travel: 90%
From 0 days and no-show: 100%

We urge you to consider contracting travel insurance. Before the trip, please also check your medical insurance, as well as luggage insurance or travel liability insurance, if necessary.

Bicycle rental.
Additional night (breakfast included).

Travel light and enjoy the cycling without carrying your main luggage. Your luggage is transferred daily to the next accommodation, where it will be waiting for you on arrival.
1 piece of luggage per person. Maximum 20 kg per piece

BIKES

You can choose to rent a bicycle. Below you’ll find the essential information for rent options.

Touring Bike

149 CHF

e-Bike

265 CHF

Bike Notes

Touring Bike: 27-speed Country Bike, a robust and comfortable touring bike.
Available in S, M and L frame sizes.

Electric bike: ebike Flyer C8.1 features a high level of comfort, easy handling and state-of-the-art technology.
Available in XS, S, M and L.
E-bike age requirement: Minimum age 16, or 14 with a moped licence.

Rental bikes come equipped with panniers or saddlebags, a gel saddle, a service kit, an air pump and a bike lock. Helmets are available on request.

Bike rental is available for the entire duration of the tour.
Additional charges apply for the use of rental bikes during additional nights booked before or after the tour. Please indicate at the time of booking whether the bikes are required for these additional days.

Easy
The Aare River Cycle Route is mostly flat. The route is well signposted and mainly follows field and forest trails away from motorized traffic, with most sections on asphalt. There are some natural sections, and the first stage includes a few steeper passages where you may need to push your bike.

Rental bikes in Switzerland are insured against simple theft and damage resulting from normal use. Damage caused by improper handling or negligence is not covered and may be charged to the customer.

You are welcome to bring your own bike, perfectly suited to your needs and preferences.

Please bring the necessary repair equipment, including tools, a spare tube and a bike lock, and make sure your bicycle is in good working condition before departure.

Aare River Cycle Route Through Swiss Forests & Nature Reserves