Half of Europe is looking for the way towards south over the Gotthard Pass, while the old trade route over the Lukmanier has almost been forgotten. Swiss precision and quietness await you on the shores of Lake Conastance, that will lead you towards the Austrian Border.
From here you cycle on the Rhine route through the vineyards and past the impressive Rhine Gorge towards the Romansch-speaking part of Switzerland. A short break at the monastery of Disentis gives you strength for the drive into the rocky landscape of the Lukmanier pass that is your gateway to the southern part of Switzerland.
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.
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.
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 childrens tale. Chur, is the oldest town north of the alp and entices with numerous restaurants.
The Rhine Gorge – Switzerlands Grand Canyon is an impressive first part of this tour. Afterwards you reach “Surselva”, Grisons largest Romansch-speaking region. Today’s tour leads you to the monastery of Disentis.
Through the gorge „Höllenschlucht“ and Val Medel up to t he 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.
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 Delta of Ticino and roll on a nice promenade towards Lago Maggiore.
approx. 45 km
190 m
290 m
Day
8
Departure or extension
Tour character
Flat and easy going on Lake Constance and in the Rhine valley. From Chur a steady ascend starts. Rough roads in the Rhine Gorge. The most challenging part is the leg over Lukmanierpass – you can shorten this by public transport. Some traffic around Bellinzona, apart from this calm side roads in Ticino.
Ticino Ticket with numerous inclusive services and discounts (from day 5, on request at the hotel)
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed travel documents (1x per room) incl. SwitzerlandMobility Plus subscription
Service-Hotline
Note:
Public bus Disentis – Lukmanier Pass incl. bicycle, per person approx. CHF 25.-.
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
Reservation fee of CHF 15 per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)
Information
Arrival/Parking/Departure:
Parking at the railway station of Kreuzlingen. CHF 7.- per day.
Return travel by train via Bellinzona and Zurich to Kreuzlingen. Duration: approx. 4 to 4.5 hours.
Other important information:
The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.
Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended.
Travel Documents
Travel documents "digital”
In future we will reduce the amount of printed documents. You will receive instructions to help you find your way around using the SwitzerlandMobility app. We will provide you with further information online. In advance you will receive a small package of documents with the following contents:
On the way, you can easily find your way with the SwitzerlandMobility app and other freely accessible aids. Background information and all other documents are delivered electronically and can be downloaded to your mobile phone in advance.
Let us know if you don't want to do without maps. We will send them to you free of charge.