Overview
This 7-day sweet cycling adventure starts and ends in Zürich – recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Your first stop would be the world-famous chocolate factory of Lindt & Sprüngli. Afterwards, you visit the monastery of Einsiedeln and continue your trip with a challenging ascent up on Iberegg Pass, where you will be rewarded with a fantastic downhill towards Lake Lucerne. From there, you will continue to the cherry orchards of Zug, and finally, the sun will shine on your face all the way along the coast of the Lake of Zurich. The tour also includes a visit to Aeschbach Chocolatier.
- Lindt & Sprüngli guided tour
- Prepare your own unique chocolate creations
- Visit the Aeschbach Chocolatier
- The stunning city of Lucerne
- The lakeside city of Zürich
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Zurich
Arrive in the charming city of Zurich. Located in an Alpine setting at the northwestern end of Lake Zürich, this financial, cultural, and industrial centre stretches out between two forested chains of hills, about 60km from the northern foothills of the Alps.
- Accommodation: Hotel Swiss Chocolate by Fassbind in Zürich or similar
Day 2: Zurich – Rapperswil | 45km
You will leave the town and ride through the suburbs of Zurich to Kilchberg which is the hometown of the world-famous Swiss Chocolate brand Lindt & Sprüngli. After a guided tour through the Chocolateria, you will decorate your very own chocolate bar. With this souvenir in your lunch bag, you will continue through the rolling hills of the so-called “Hirzel” from where you will descend back to the shores of Lake Zurich.
- Accommodation: Hotel Speer in Rapperswil or similar
Day 3: Rapperswil – Brunnen | 45km
By train up to Einsiedeln. If you are in the mood for some history, you can visit the famous monastery before starting your cycle tour through the swampy shores of Lake Sihlsee. Todays’ challenge is the ride up to the pass Iberegg from where you will have a fantastic view of the close alpine peaks and Lake Lucerne. Your ride takes you through the small village of Schwyz and ends on the shores of the lake in Brunnen.
- Accommodation: City Hotel in Brunnen or similar
Day 4: Brunnen – Lucerne | 30km
You will take the boat to reach the other side of the lake and start your trip in Beckenried. This part is easy and flat, you will ride past a small airfield and through the village of Stansstad. Now you are back at the lake and a peaceful ride on the shores of the peninsula Kastanienbaum takes you to the city centre of Lucerne. Legend has it that an angel with a light showed the first settlers where to build a chapel in Lucerne, and today it still has amazing grace.
- Accommodation: Drei Könige in Lucerne or similar
Day 5: Lucerne – Zug | 30km
The mostly flat stage connects the cities of Lucerne and Zug. An attractive bike trail leads you along the Reuss towards the Zugerland. On your way, you make a stop in Root to visit the exciting world of Chocolatier Aeschbach. To finish, you visit the beautiful old town of Zug with its neat lakeside promenade.
- Accommodation: Hotel Zugertor in Zug or similar
Day 6: Zug – Zurich | 45km
Today’s tour leads through the natural park Sihlwald. A little paradise right at Zurich’s doorstep. Stroll along the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse before getting on your bike one last time.
- Accommodation: Hotel Swiss Chocolate by Fassbind in Zürich or similar
Day 7: Departure
End of the trip after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 3*** and 4**** hotels in double ensuite rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default accommodations
- Hotel Swiss Chocolate by Fassbind in Zürich
- Speer in Rapperswil
- Drei Könige in Lucerne
- Zugertor in Zug
- City Hotel in Brunnen
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included. When no restaurant is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or you can pre-order packed lunch from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your hotel or from restaurants near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
A route for people who know how to enjoy themselves. Perfectly marked and signed bike trails lead you through the most beautiful sceneries of central Switzerland. The route is almost continuously paved and often leads on tranquil side roads or designated bike paths. For the ride through the hills of Hirzel and going up the Ibereggpass, stamina and good physical condition are required (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available between end-April and mid-October.
The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Zurich.
By train or bus
- The distance from Zurich Airport to the city centre is 12km and the travel time is around 10min by high-speed train. The cheapest way from Zurich airport is by train – approx, €7 and if you go by taxi, it will be around 20min (€70).
- For more information, visit Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) or the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 overnight accommodation with breakfast included
- Daily luggage transfers
- Visit at chocolate world Aeschbacher Chocolatier
- Lindt & Sprüngli guided tour (prepare your own chocolate creation)
- Boat trip Brunnen – Beckenried
- Carefully elaborated route
- Detailed travel documents (1 x per room)
- Access to Navigation App
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinner, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Train ride Rapperswil – Einsiedeln (approx CHF 37.-)
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- Single room supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room – single rooms only available with the upgraded accommodation option
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Extra nights in Zurich
- Bike rental
Bike Rental
Touring bike Tour de Suisse. Panier bag for the carrier is included in the rental. A spare tube per bike, pump and toolset are included, as well as a smartphone holder.
Equipment:
- Front and rear mudguards
- Lights and hub dynamo
- Luggage rack
- Chain guard
- Frame lock
- Side stand
Frame: Aluminium
Derailleur gear: Shimano Alivio 3×9-Gang
Brakes: V-Brake Shimano Alivio
Wheel size: 26″
E-Bike Flyer C-series. Limitation of the speed: 25km/h. Minimum age for this bike is 16 years (or 14 years with a moped license). Panier bag for the carrier is included in the rental. One spare tube per bike, pump and tool kit are included, as well as one smartphone holder.
Equipment:
- Front and rear mudguards
- Lights and hub dynamo
- Luggage rack
- Chain guard
- Frame lock
- Side stand
Frame: Aluminium
Gearshift: Shimano Nexus 8-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: 26″
Total weight: max. 149 kg
Gallery
