Central Switzerland has never been easy to conquer: After a long feud, William Tell killed the Habsburg prince Gessler here, the ancestral cantons joined forces on the Rütli meadow to form the Swiss Confederation, and the Reduit in the Gotthard region was considered an impregnable fortress during the Cold War.
Route 1291 also likes to show its teeth during the ride around Central Switzerland. Starting from Lake Lucerne, you climb the highest passes in Central Switzerland, visit the moorlands of the Entlebuch and wheel through the hilly Emmental. Culinary highlights and vineyards in the Seetal round off the ride around Central Switzerland. Nevertheless, the tour is no walk in the park - but with the right bike, Route 1291 becomes an unforgettable experience.
With our 100% Women offer including tour guide, you will complete the Route 1291 around central Switzerland in groups of max. 12 people.
The group will be looked after by a local tour guide on site and will be guided multilingually if required. Accordingly, the travel documents are available in three languages: German, French and English.
This offer is only bookable for women.
This is the 100 % Women Challenge:
In this campaign, women achieve extraordinary things together. Last year, more than 700 women climbed Switzerland's 48 four-thousand-metre peaks together, but this year the Challenge is being extended to include cycling. With Route 1291, you have a real feat to accomplish. Help us to reach our goals and successfully complete the Challenge. More information about 100 % Women.
The ride around the Küssnacht lake basin is the kick-off to the journey through Central Switzerland. Back on the lakeside, a fantastic mountain panorama and lively lakeside promenades await you. You avoid the Axenstrasse with a boat trip from Brunnen to Flüelen. After that, it's only a stone's throw to the Tell monument in Altdorf. (B + | L + | D +)
While the north-south axis is still the focus in the Reuss Valley, the mountains of Uri come into focus from Amsteg onwards. Viaducts, bridges and retaining walls dominate the picture here, while down in the valley the Reuss rages and roars.
The Schöllenen Gorge tells eerie stories with the Devil's Gorge and the monuments to Admiral Suworow's campaign. A changing landscape awaits you around the mountain village of Andermatt. (B + | L + | D +)
Turn after turn, the road winds its way out of the Urseren Valley. A brisk descent takes you past the Rhone Glacier and leads you straight up to the next pass. On the Grimsel, a veritable water castle awaits you with countless lakes and imposing dam walls. On the descent, the Aare gains power kilometre by kilometre, which you can marvel at in the Aare Gorge. (B + | L - | D -)
Also today, there are two passes on the programme. On the Brünig, wonderful views of Lake Lungern open up, and the view from the Panoramic Road up to the Glaubenbielen Pass is in no way inferior. The village of Sörenberg lies in an idyllic mountain setting at the foot of the Brienzer Rothorn. (B + | L + | D +)
Today's stage leads on somewhat rough paths past the rugged rock faces of the Schrattenfluh and Hohgant massifs to Schangnau. Then you set your eyes on the high church tower of Escholzmatt and wheel in constant ups and downs through the Entlebuch. (B + | L +| D +)
Today's stage is dominated by the Napf. You follow the homonymous heart loop in constant ups and downs to Willisau. Treat yourself to a Willisauer Ringli for refreshment and then continue into the Seetal. The small town of Sursee on the shores of Lake Sempach is today's destination. (B + | L - | D -)
Lake Sempach lies dreamily and picturesquely behind you, the red church tower of the cradle of the village of Beromünster rises into the sky in front of you. The last stage of Route 1291 is also characterised by some rough climbs. From Hohenrain it's all downhill and you roll relaxedly back to Lucerne. (B + | L + | D -)
approx. 59 km
1'135 m
1'200 m
Tour character
Route 1291 shows all sides of Central Switzerland. Alpine passes in the southeast and hilly foothills of the Alps in the northwest. The highlights are the rides over the Furka and Grimsel passes. But the steep climbs and descents in the Emmental also demand a drop or two of sweat from the cyclist.
Single travellers Single travellers joining this group tour will be accommodated in a double room (separate beds) for the duration of the tour with one person. Single rooms are on request. If you do not wish to share the room, please write this in the comments when booking.
Single travellers Single travellers joining this group tour will be accommodated in a double room (separate beds) for the duration of the tour with one person. Single rooms are on request. If you do not wish to share the room, please write this in the comments when booking.
Meals according to the program (7 x Breakfast (B), 5 x packed lunch (L), 5 x diner (D))
Local tour guide (DE, EN, FR)
Guided city tour in Lucerne
Daily luggage transfers
Costs for luggage pick-up at the station (for direct arrival)
Subsidy for arrival by train
Boat ride Brunnen - Flüelen
Carefully elaborated route description
Travel documents (1 x per room) incl. SwitzerlandMobility Plus subscription
Service-Hotline
Please note:
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:
Rail travel to Lucerne
Parking at Lucerne Car park old town, approx. CHF 15 per day
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.