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Explore Switzerland's beautifully
varied landscape. The Aare bike trail gives you an excellent idea of
Switzerland's varied landscape. Start in Meiringen, in the midst of the
highest of the Bernese Alps. As the bike trail winds its way down to
Brugg, you will pass along lanes through woods, meadows, fields
and isolated villages where the charm of the provinces lives on unchanged.
The action of the river over millions of years has flattened the path and you
can follow it quite easily as it flows 155 miles down to Brugg. the attractions along the way
include the lakes formed by the Aare - Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, Lake Avoblen, Lake Bieniie - and
a variety of cities and villages, some with world-famous names, and some with names you will
never have heard of before. The bike trail winds its way pleasantly along lanes through the
woods and meadows, fertile fields and through isolated villages where the charm of the
provinces lives on unchanged. Daily distances 30-35 miles, 4-6 hours.
Self Guided Tour
Includes:
- Meet and greet-either by hotel staff
- Daily accommodations with private facilities
- Daily full breakfasts
- 2nd Class 2 Day Swisspass
- Luggage Transfers
- Bicycle 7 - 21 speed (no helmet, bike bag or toe clips provided)
- Local contact, information booklet, route notes & maps.
Priced from: $1159
Dates: May 17 - September 14, 2003
Difficulty: Moderate -
Moderately hilly terrain with some steeper inclines.
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| Day 1 |
Travel by rail to Meiringen where you will overnight. |
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| Day 2 |
Leave your bags in reception, pick up your bike and off you go! From Meiringen
you may first want to visit the Aare gorge (a little detour) and then continue
on towards the lovely lake of Brienz. The waterfalls at Giessbach are a
highlight, as well as the tiny lakeside resort of Iseltwald. Interlaken needs
no description - this world famous tourist spot in the heart of the Bernese
Oberland. Overnight in Interlaken.
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| Day 3 |
Visit Interlaken by bike. Your ride continues along Lake Thun, climbs up to
Beatenberg, (you may go by bike or take the easy way - cable car), then follows
a breathtaking panorama route, high above the lake. After a downhill ride back
to the lakeside you can catch a steamboat to take you over the lake to the city
of Thun. Overnight in Thun. |
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| Day 4 |
From Thun you leave the high mountain area of Switzerland. The countryside is
now dominated by green, rolling hills and fertile plains. Cycling here is pure
enjoyment as the trail is mostly flat with just a few easy climbs. Do not miss
a visit to the capital of Switzerland Berne, a UNESCO Heritage site, where the
narrow streets in the Old Town are easily accessible by bike. Then follow the
river Aare to the tiny little town of Aarberg. Overnight in Aarberg.
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| Day 5 |
Today the Jura mountains border your trail where the Aare has created a gentle
agricultural paradise, dominated by large vegetable plantations and grain fields
. Even the stork feels at home in this area - you may be lucky enough to see one
fly majestically across the sky. Solothurn - destination for today - will greet
you from afar with the towers of its cathedral. Overnight in Solothurn.
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| Day 6 |
Normal, everyday country life is what you will see today - this makes quite a
unique and surprising impression on a tourist, miles away from the famous and
crowded spots - and it is biker country at its best. Aarau gives testimony to
the significance of the Aare as a waterway in medieval times. Overnight in
Aarau.
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| Day 7 |
From Aarau you continue along the river to Bad Zurzach, the largest thermal
baths in Europe. Bikes are returned today. Overnight, Bad Zurzach.
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| Day 8 |
Tour ends after breakfast with rail travel from Bad Zurzach. |
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