This self-supporting tour will take you through 10-days of riding and sightseeing Northeastern and Central Switzerland. You will ride through scenic valleys, along rivers, creeks and many beautiful lakes. You will visit several old towns nestled in the valleys and along the lakes shores. From the enchanting medieval town of Rapperswil, the cultural center Luzern, to the banking capital of the world and the largest city in Switzerland - Zurich, you will find plenty to see and experience.  More...

This self-supporting tour will take you through 10-days of riding and sightseeing Northeastern and Central Switzerland. You will ride through scenic valleys, along rivers, creeks and many beautiful lakes. You will visit several old towns nestled in the valleys and along the lakes shores. From the enchanting medieval town of Rapperswil, the cultural center Luzern, to the banking capital of the world and the largest city in Switzerland - Zurich, you will find plenty to see and experience.

The total distance of the tour is 340 miles (544 km) and most of it is through flat terrain riding in altitude of 1,000-1,300 feet (300-430 m) above sea level. There is one day of 43 miles (69 km) of riding with total altitude gain of 2,500 feet (844 m) which is the hardest day of the tour. The tour is rated as easy to moderate (see the tour rating guide for details).

The tour begins and ends at Rorschach. It follows several of the nine Swiss national bicycle routes, which are well documented in Veloland Schweiz booklets designed specifically for cyclist. Although the marking of cycling routes throughout Switzerland is impeccable (like the Swiss watch), the Veloland Schweiz booklets are recommended because they contain very useful information such as distances between towns, detailed maps, riding profile of the entire route, total altitude gain/loss profile, recommended sightseeing and points of interest, and most importantly the list of overnight accommodations (and prices) which cater specifically to cyclist's needs (bike storage, showers, baths, etc). Additionally the booklets also list long-term parking places for cars along the route and point out (and on occasion recommend) transfer points for you and your bike via bus, train, ski lift, or ship. The booklets transfer points are coordinated with specially designed train/bus/ship schedules which are available free of charge at any train station.  Less...