Alpine Crossing: Lake Constance to Lake Maggiore
9 days / 8 nights
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Starting point
Kreuzlingen
Finish point
Locarno
Season
From June to September
Fitness level
3/5
Tour type
Gravel / E-bike
Starting point
Kreuzlingen
Finish point
Locarno
Season
From June to September
Fitness level
3/5
Tour type
Gravel / E-bike
Highlights
- Explore the scenic shores of Lake Constance, one of Europe’s largest lakes
- Ride through Switzerland’s dramatic Grand Canyon of the Rhine River
- Cycle the Lukmanier Pass and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views
- Discover Valley Blenio with its centuries-old vineyards and stone villages
- Explore Bellinzona’s three medieval UNESCO-listed castles
- Wrap up your holiday with a refreshing swim in Lake Maggiore
Itinerary of the trip
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FREE ITINERARY
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What’s included in the price?
Self-guided
NOT INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
The Alpine Crossing from Lake Constance to Lake Maggiore takes you through some of Switzerland’s most diverse and breathtaking landscapes, from the shores of Lake Constance to the sun-drenched beauty of Lake Maggiore, offering a journey through the contrasts, cultures, and natural wonders that define the country.
Along the Rhine Valley, alpine rivers carve through green meadows, and its medieval towns serve as reminders of rich history. The Rhine Gorge, often called Switzerland’s Grand Canyon, showcases towering cliffs and green waters, creating striking natural wonders in the region.
Majestic nature unfolds deeper into the Alps, with sweeping mountain views from the Lukmanier Pass at 1973 meters. Below, the picturesque Valle di Blenio emerges, a valley of ancient terraced vineyards and timeless villages.
The region also boasts historic gems, particularly in Bellinzona, home to three UNESCO-listed castles, some of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval fortresses.
In the final stretch of the tour, the landscape transforms into a mix of promenades and shimmering lake views, concluding it with Locarno, where the charm of Piazza Grande and the deep blue of Lake Maggiore offers you a perfect blend of Swiss precision and Mediterranean ease.
Carefully designed for a hassle-free experience, the tour includes a digital guidebook with recommendations and GPS routes to ensure you never miss a turn. We take care of every logistical detail so you can focus on the adventure ahead.
All your accommodations are pre-booked, while we provide convenient luggage transfers. If you ever need assistance, our round-the-clock support team is just a phone call away.
This journey provides a fantastic opportunity to experience a crossing of the Alps and savor a rewarding finish at the refreshing Lake Maggiore.
Top Places You'll See
From natural wonders to authentic local culture, the route is packed with memorable sights—these are our absolute favorites.
Lake Constance
Shared with Germany and Switzerland, Lake Constance (Bodensee) offers a mix of cross-border culture and sweeping alpine views. The lakeside cycling paths are flat and well-marked, making it one of Europe’s most accessible long-distance rides. Medieval towns, vineyard slopes, and ferry crossings give variety to each stage, while the scenery of the surrounding Alps never leaves your side.
Chur
Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years. Its old town features twisting alleys, painted facades, and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, consecrated in 1272. Surrounded by alpine peaks and vineyards, Chur serves as the historic and cultural hub of the canton of Graubünden.
Rhine Gorge
Known as the “Swiss Grand Canyon,” the Rhine Gorge stretches for 13 kilometers between Ilanz and Reichenau. Its sheer white cliffs rise up to 400 meters, carved by Ice Age glaciers and the mighty Rhine River. Popular with hikers and cyclists, the gorge is one of Switzerland’s most dramatic natural landscapes.
Disentis Abbey
Founded in the 8th century, Disentis Abbey is one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries north of the Alps. The baroque church, rebuilt in the 18th century, houses richly decorated interiors and a significant library. The monastery continues to play a role in local culture, education, and spirituality in the Surselva valley.
Locarno
Located on Lake Maggiore, Locarno enjoys Switzerland’s warmest climate with over 2,300 hours of sunshine per year. Its Piazza Grande hosts the internationally renowned Locarno Film Festival, founded in 1946, which attracts filmmakers and visitors from around the world. Palm trees, lake promenades, and nearby mountains give Locarno a Mediterranean flair in an alpine setting.
Our Bikes
To ensure the best possible experience on your cycling adventure, we offer top-quality bikes for rent. Our fleet features the latest models, meticulously maintained for both performance and comfort.
To match each rider with the right equipment, our team will also assist you in selecting the most suitable bike based on your physical profile, personal preferences, and the technical requirements of the tour.
Trekking Bikes
Best for: Multi-day touring, relaxed pace, and varied surfaces
These high-quality trekking bikes are built for comfort over multiple days. They feature a relaxed riding position, smooth-rolling wheels, and often come with practical additions like an adjustable stem, rear rack, or mudguards. They're not necessarily built for speed, but more for enjoying the ride.
Touring E-Bikes
Best for: Comfortable trekking, touring, longer distances, and hilly routes
These pedal-assist electric bikes are designed to make riding easier and more enjoyable—especially on longer or hillier routes. They come with powerful mid-drive motors, long-lasting batteries, and comfortable riding geometry for smooth support across varied terrain. With intuitive controls and quality components, they’re a great choice for riders who want extra assistance without giving up the feel of a real ride.
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E-MTB
*Please note that this is our standard model. If unavailable, a similar bike will be provided.
Best for: Hilly routes, longer rides, or mixed fitness levels
Premium electric mountain bikes equipped with mid-drive motors and powerful batteries designed to handle longer distances and steeper climbs. Our e-bikes provide smooth, natural-feeling pedal assistance, making tough terrain more manageable and rides more enjoyable. With solid components and a comfortable setup, they’re ideal for riders looking for extra support without missing out on the ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings & Reviews
Walking in the Bernese Oberland felt like a dream. The trails were incredibly scenic, with views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and picturesque Swiss villages. The accommodations were comfortable and ideally located, making it easy to explore the surrounding area. Lan was wonderful in helping me plan my days and ensuring I had everything I needed. Switzerland’s natural beauty is unmatched, and this trip was the perfect way to experience it on foot.
Walking Holidays Slovenia is great! They provided all of the information and made the arrangements for our self guided walk in Triglav National Park. We hiked to Vodnikov Dom the first day, then to the Seven Lakes Basin the second day, then back to Ribcev Laz the third day. The trails were well marked, and the GPS app recommended by Walking Holidays Slovenia was very helpful for keeping us on track. The trails were very rocky in places, which was a bit of a challenge for us, but it was so beautiful! Very much recommend this company!
We had an incredible time on the 5 day hut to hut hike in Croatia. The views were perfect, the accommodation much nicer than we imagined and we had a fantastic support guide - Ivan - who was very friendly and made the whole trip possible. We were also able to go to the beach most days after we finished our hiking and everything was very flexible. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
1) Stunningly beautiful places with perfect weather! Good balance of countryside and old city walking. 2) The Trip App was incredible!!! 5 stars! Loved the write ups on each location. The links to all restaurants, hotels, attractions, tickets! The GPS app also worked. 3) PERFECTLY located hotels and rooms with two beds and thoughtful staff! Loved being right in the old towns with amazing views. I did not mind carrying bags up or down in order to have the locations but much appreciated when we did have help with this 4) Breakfast being included with the rooms (even though there was a mix up the first morning). I don't like to have to plan breakfast spots and the buffets were incredible. 5) The kindness and promptness of the drivers, Nice transport vehicles and easy drop off and pick up points. Plus help with our bags. 6) The Walking Holidays Croatia team was helpful and easy to work with. We appreciate all they did to customize out trip.
Walking in the Bernese Oberland felt like a dream. The trails were incredibly scenic, with views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and picturesque Swiss villages. The accommodations were comfortable and ideally located, making it easy to explore the surrounding area. Lan was wonderful in helping me plan my days and ensuring I had everything I needed. Switzerland’s natural beauty is unmatched, and this trip was the perfect way to experience it on foot.
We had an incredible time on the 5 day hut to hut hike in Croatia. The views were perfect, the accommodation much nicer than we imagined and we had a fantastic support guide - Ivan - who was very friendly and made the whole trip possible. We were also able to go to the beach most days after we finished our hiking and everything was very flexible. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
Walking Holidays Slovenia is great! They provided all of the information and made the arrangements for our self guided walk in Triglav National Park. We hiked to Vodnikov Dom the first day, then to the Seven Lakes Basin the second day, then back to Ribcev Laz the third day. The trails were well marked, and the GPS app recommended by Walking Holidays Slovenia was very helpful for keeping us on track. The trails were very rocky in places, which was a bit of a challenge for us, but it was so beautiful! Very much recommend this company!
1) Stunningly beautiful places with perfect weather! Good balance of countryside and old city walking. 2) The Trip App was incredible!!! 5 stars! Loved the write ups on each location. The links to all restaurants, hotels, attractions, tickets! The GPS app also worked. 3) PERFECTLY located hotels and rooms with two beds and thoughtful staff! Loved being right in the old towns with amazing views. I did not mind carrying bags up or down in order to have the locations but much appreciated when we did have help with this 4) Breakfast being included with the rooms (even though there was a mix up the first morning). I don't like to have to plan breakfast spots and the buffets were incredible. 5) The kindness and promptness of the drivers, Nice transport vehicles and easy drop off and pick up points. Plus help with our bags. 6) The Walking Holidays Croatia team was helpful and easy to work with. We appreciate all they did to customize out trip.
All available guidance options
Self-guided
Those who like good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. It offers complete freedom, multiple detour opportunities, and exploration at your own pace without having to adapt to a group.
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HANDPICKED ADVENTURES
Only the best adventures across the world, cherry-picked by our team with an in-depth knowledge of the regions.
SELF-GUIDED TRAVEL
Explore independently and with confidence while we keep everything running from behind the scenes.
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VALUE YOUR TIME
With everything on your plate, let us handle the vacation planning, so your valuable time stays exactly where you need it.
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TRUSTED BY MANY
We are a financially protected company operating since 2014, and with thousands of satisfied customers in the past, we still put you first.
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