From Lake Constance to Lago Maggiore: A Swiss Cycling Journey Across the Alps bicycling north to south

Ride from the shores of Lake Constance towards southern Switzerland, following the Rhine Valley through the vineyards of Graubünden and into the dramatic landscapes of the Rhine Gorge. The journey continues through the Romansh-speaking Surselva region and the monastery village of Disentis before crossing the Lukmanier Pass into Ticino. From the mountain valleys, the route gradually opens towards Bellinzona, the Magadino plain and the shores of Lago Maggiore in Locarno.

A Self-Guided Cycling Holiday with Freedom and Support

This self-guided cycling tour is supported by detailed route materials, maps, and GPS navigation, allowing you to travel independently while enjoying the most scenic and cultural highlights of western Switzerland at your own pace. This cycling tour leads from Lake Constance to Lago Maggiore through diverse Swiss landscapes. The route follows the Rhine Valley through Chur and Disentis, crossing the Lukmanier Pass into Ticino. Highlights include the Rhine Gorge, Bellinzona’s three castles, and charming lakeside towns.

ROUTE

The route connects two very different sides of Switzerland in a single north-to-south cycling journey. Starting in Kreuzlingen, it follows Lake Constance towards the Rhine Valley and continues through Buchs and the Bündner Herrschaft to Chur. Beyond Chur, the character of the landscape changes as the route enters the Rhine Gorge and the Surselva, leading to Disentis and then towards the Lukmanier Pass. The descent into Ticino brings a new setting, with the Valle di Blenio, Biasca and Bellinzona leading eventually to the Magadino plain and Lago Maggiore.

Medium difficulty with daily distances of 37-70 km. Daily luggage transfers and digital navigation included. The cycling experience changes with the geography: the opening sections around Lake Constance and through the Rhine Valley are flat and easy-going, while the route becomes steadily more demanding after Chur. Rougher roads in the Rhine Gorge and the ascent to Lukmanier provide the main challenge, with the Lukmanier section optionally shortened by bus. In Ticino, the route continues mainly along quieter side roads, with some traffic around Bellinzona.

Itinerary

Day 1: Individual arrival in Kreuzlingen (Switzerland)

Individual arrival in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland

Day 2: Kreuzlingen – Rorschach/Surroundings

38 km/24 miles up 80 m down 80 m

You follow the railway line past the lively lakeside town of Romanshorn to Arbon. A charming old town and a large castle are among the landmarks of this small town on Lake Constance. Continue along the lakeshore to today’s accommodation in the Rorschach area.

Day 3: – Rorschach /Surroundings – Buchs AG

70 km/44 miles up 150 m down 110 m

St. Galler Rheintal is an area often cosseted by the warm wind called “Föhn”. Much land has been won by the correction of the Alpenrhein waters in the Rhine-Valley. You spend the night in Buchs – an important border station and the gate to the principality of Liechtenstein.

Day 4: Buchs SG – Chur

47 km/29 miles up 260 m down 140 m

The „Bündner Herrschaft“, Grisons fertile garden and winery, lies on a mound of slate detritus. This is also the home of Heidi, Peter and Alpöhi from the world-famous children’s tale. Chur is the oldest town north of the Alps and entices with numerous restaurants.

Day 5: Chur– Disentis

68 km/42.5 miles up 990 m down 420 m

The Rhine Gorge – Switzerland’s Grand Canyon is an impressive first part of this tour. Afterward, you reach “Surselva”, Grisons’ largest Romansch-speaking region. Today’s tour leads you to the monastery of Disentis.

Day 6: Disentis – Biasca

59 km/37 miles up 860 m down 1700

Through the gorge „Höllenschlucht“ and Val Medel up to the rugged pass head of Lukmanier, boundary between the cantons Ticino and Grisons. In the sunny Valle di Blenio the route descends through centuries-old cultivated landscape, scented flower-filled meadows and terraced walls towards Biasca.

Day 7: Biasca – Locarno (canton Ticino, Switzerland)

46.5 km/29 miles up 80 m down 170 m

The castles and the city wall of Bellinzona lure from afar while you head towards the plain of Magadino with its small villages. You pass the Ticino Delta and roll along a nice promenade towards Lago Maggiore. After arrival in Locarno.

Day 8: Locarno – Departure or extension

Individual departure or extension.

Map cycle itinerary from Lake Constance to Lake Maggiore

Getting to Kreuzlingen (Departure Point)

By Train: You can reach Kreuzlingen easily by train from Zürich-Kloten airport. (1H) Swiss Railways SBB

Arrival/Departure:Departure by public transport from Locarno.
Arrival by public transport to Kreuzlingen.

How to book this tour

We require a 25% deposit per person for the trip upon reservation. Final payment 6 weeks before tour departure.

ASK FOR AN OFFER

Included

Accommodation in a charming hotel, including breakfast
Daily luggage transfer
Costs for luggage pick-up at the station (for direct arrival and departure)
Subsidy for arrival by train
10 CHF Swiss Federal Railways voucher per participant
Ticino Ticket with numerous inclusive services and discounts
(from day 5, on request at the hotel)
Carefully prepared route description
Digital travel documents and navigation app and GPS data
One-year SwitzerlandMobility-Plus subscription
Service hotline

Not Included

Individual travel to departure point.
Bicycle or E-bike rental
Local tourist tax (where applicable)
Meals and drinks not mentioned as included
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
Departures: Daily from 12 June to 26 September

Season 1

Sep 11 – Sep 26

From

1405 CHF

Options & Supplements

✓

1780 CHF Single Room

Season 2

Jun 12 – Sept 10

From

1455 CHF

Options & Supplements

✓

1830 CHF Single Room

Reservation fee: 20 CHF per adult

Accommodation

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

Your Accommodation

selected middle-class hotels

Stay in selected middle-class hotels along the route, with breakfast included. Your accommodation changes as you cycle south from Lake Constance through the Rhine Valley and Graubünden towards Ticino and Lago Maggiore.

Additional nights

Prices per person, including breakfast

Kreuzlingen

Double Room 119 CHF
Single room +50 CHF

Locarno

Double Room 119 CHF
Single room +85 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.

Optional bus transfer from Disentis to Lukmanier Pass, including bicycle transport.
Approx. CHF 25 per person with a Swiss Half Fare Card; not included in the tour price.

Printed route book: CHF 20 per person, available as an optional extra.

Extra nights

You start riding on the first day and finish the tour riding on the sixth day. This is why we recommend you book extra nights, especially if you are flying to Switzerland from a foreign country.

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

Any questions + info

Please get in touch with us – we’ll be happy to help!

BIKES

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

Touring Bike

159 CHF

e-Bike

289 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.

Medium
Relatively flat and easy-going cycling around Lake Constance and through the Rhine Valley. From Chur onwards, the route becomes more demanding, with longer climbs leading towards Disentis and the Lukmanier Pass. The Lukmanier section is the most challenging part of the tour, although it can be shortened by an optional bus transfer that also carries the bicycle. The route also includes some rougher roads in the Rhine Gorge and sections with traffic around Bellinzona.

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.

Lake Constance – Lake Maggiore Cycle Tour