June 1: Schaffhausen to Davos
In the morning we meet in Schaffhausen (details follow later).
Your route today takes you from Schaffhausen along Lake Constance and
up
the Rhein Valley to Landquart. Before you roll over the gentle Wolfgang
Pass
to lively Davos it’s all uphill through the picturesque Prättigau passing
by quaint Klosters. Lodgings: Hotel Lengmatta, Davos Frauenkirch
June 2: Davos to Disentis
First attack Flüela pass, then pedal up the Engadin valley to fancy St. Moritz.
After an espresso and a Bündner nut tart you will fly over the Julier Pass
to see the Rhine River again in Thusis.
Wild and romantic is the road high
above the Rhine Gorge.
We spend the night in Surcuolm, stunningly situated
high
above the Rhine Gorge; naturally one has to earn the splendid views,
fresh
air and beer by climbing an extra 700 m at the end of the day.
Lodgings: Hotel Mundauns, Surcuolm
June 3: Disentis to Sion
Three great passes today; catch a glimpse of the Rhine source while
pedalling across the gentle Oberalp Pass into Andermatt.
Cross the historic Gotthard Pass just for the heck of it; From Airolo, where
one can get a real café, pedal up the lonely Bedretto Valley and up to the
top of Nufenen Pass, at an impressive altitude of 2478 m. It is the highest
pass road within Switzerland and the youngest too, built only 30 years
ago.
In Ulrichen you meet the Rhone River and follow it to Leuk, (situated between Brig and Sion); hopefully with the wind in your back…
Lodgings: Schlosshotel, Leuk
June 4 : Leuk to Lac de Joux
We follow the Rhone to Lake Geneva and start speaking French. In Aigle
you have the choice of adding miles and climbing to the day by tackling Col
des Mosses or Col du Pillon.
Past famous Chateau Chillon and the palm fringed shores of Montreux
the
route leads to Morges. Now it’s time to climb the limestone plateau of
the
Jura region; spectacular views over Lake Geneva reward you. Our
destination
for
the evening is Le Pont, on the romantic Lac de Joux.
Lodgings: Hotel de la Truite, Le Pont
June 5: Lac de Joux to Delemont
Another day full of highlights; the Jura region is known for its vast pasture-
lands where horses are kings and of course for being the birthplace to our
fancy Swiss watches…
We leave the plateau to through lake country; impressive Lake Neuchatel, picturesque Lake Murten and Rousseau’s favourite, Lake Biel.
Small, ancient villages dot the vine covered hills as we meander up into the Bernese Jura. The landscape is dominated by gorges, rivers and farmland.
Delémont, the capital of the Canton of Jura is our base for the night. It
boasts
a charming historic centre with galleries, bars and good food.
Lodgings: Hotel Rôtisserie La Tour Rouge, Delémont
June 6: The Home Stretch
Blooming apple orchards, bright green fields and meadows dotted with
daisies – how romantic – and hilly. In Zurzach we meet the Rhine River
again, which we follow on our home run. Once you hear the thundering
waters of Europe’s largest waterfall, you know you have succeeded;
around Switzerland in six days! Yeah!!
The Pasta buffet party is open…
Transportation Logistics
The following is a list of train schedules for transportation to and from
the tour start and end locations. Train departure times and tracks are
subject to change, so verify before boarding.
Sample Travel Details
Trains from Zurich airport to Schaffhausen (tour start): ~1 hour
Departure Track Arrival
Zürich Airport 09:02 S16 Schaffhausen 10:14 (direct)
Trains from Schaffhausen to Zurich Airport (tour departure): ~1 hour
Departure Track Arrival
Schaffhausen 09:14 S16 Zurich airport 09:59 (direct)
Departing Arriving & Departing your tour:
See web site www.sbb.ch for your train (frequent departures hourly)
