BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

St.Gallen - Geneva (Route H)

Switzerland is unendingly varied. The fascinating landscapes have always held writers, artists, sportsmen and naturalists in thrall. During a cycling trip through Switzerland, you'll experience the glistening glacial worlds of the high Alps, the Mediterranean climate of Wallis and Lake Geneva, tumbling mountain streams and gently rolling meadows. Showcased in this natural splendor are proud castles, venerable churches, quaint farmhouses, painterly villages and particularly lovely city views. Now and then Rotalis uses the train or Swiss postal busses to avoid busy stretches of road or to gain altitude. Some of these rides, such as the grandiose panoramic stretch of the "Glacier-Express," and the "Montreux-Berner-Oberland-Bahn," are exciting travel experiences in and of themselves. During these parts of the tour the bikes are entrusted to the accompanying Rotalis van with its bike trailer.

Tour Details

Day 1: Sunday
St. Gallen - Triesen (29 miles)
To start off, a colorful little railway brings you to Appenzell, the smallest capital city of any of the Swiss cantons. There you'll begin cycling with a ride around the town to admire the wooden architecture and painted gables. From here you'll pass through an alpine meadow landscape, always with the spectacular Alps in view before "gliding" down 1,300 vertical feet into the Rhine Valley. You'll pass through the tiny Rhine town of Werdenberg on your way to the principality of Liechtenstein. In the "capital city" of Vaduz, the excellent hotel “Meierhof” will receive you.

Day 2: Monday
Triesen - Domat/Ems (30 miles)
On quiet, primarily flatland paths you'll ride through picturesque vintner villages with lots of southern charm such as Fläsch, Maienfeld and Malans. In Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, you'll visit the old-town and Cathedral. Another hour's ride brings you to the "Gartenhotel Sternen".

Day 3: Tuesday
Domat/Ems - Andermatt (22 miles)
To facilitate the nearly 5,000 vertical ft. climb from Vorderrheintal to Oberalppass, you'll take advantage of the renowned Glacier Express railway, stretch your legs on a 1-½ hour hike, and cycle for 15 bicycle-friendly miles. The hike through the Rhine Gorge is a fantastic nature experience. In the gorge the Rhine River has worn it's way through the site of Europe's largest landslide, creating impressive cliffs. The cogwheel stretch of the Glacier Express begins in Disentis, where you will also visit an interesting baroque church and Benedictine abbey. A wonderful descent brings you to the door of your hotel, the "Drei Könige & Post" in Andermatt.

Day 4: Wednesday
Andermatt - Unterbäch (38 miles)
Weather permitting, a bus will bring you over the nearly 8,000 ft. Furka Pass, providing a spectacular view of the powerful Rhône Glacier. Otherwise you'll ride the Glacier Express through the "Furkaloch," the world's longest narrow-gauge tunnel. In nice weather you can cycle a fantastic 3,200 vertical foot descent to the alpine valley of Goms. Here you'll ride through a changing landscape of picture-postcard villages to reach Brig and the Rhône Valley, the warmest and driest region of central Europe measuring less annual precipitation than Sicily. From Visp where the vineyards go as high as 4,000 ft., it is only an hour to Raron where a cable car will take you up 2,000 vertical feet to the Augstbord Region and the Hotel "Alpenhof," in sight of the glaciers of the Lötschentaler Alps.

Day 5: Thursday
Unterbäch - Martigny (39 miles)
Today’s cycling begins with a wonderful descent into the Rhône Valley. Then continue through an agricultural region, irrigated by hundreds of small canals called "bisses." Around noon you'll reach Sitten, capital of the canton of Wallis, where you will tour the town and climb the city fortress, the Valère. Then continue on through flatland orchards and vegetable fields with an ever-changing panorama view of vineyard covered mountain flanks rising up to the eternal snows. In case of a common Rhone Valley wind phenomenon you'll finish the day by train. Located vis-à-vis Bourg, the historical part of Martigny, the three-star hotel "Du Forum" awaits you with its comfortable rooms and excellent kitchen (Michelin star).
On tours H2, H3, and H6 you will probably stay at a different hotel. However, dinner will be at the Hotel Du Forum.

Day 6: Friday
Martigny - Lausanne (29 miles)
It takes a solid hour to reach today’s first stop, St.-Maurice, home of the largest church treasure in Switzerland. Not long after reaching Lake Geneva you'll arrive at Chillon Castle, a medieval construction that will enthuse more than just the romantic souls. The following is a particular treat: a boat ride along the Waadtländer Riviera past Montreux and Vevey to Lausanne. Here you'll visit the old-town and cathedral before arriving at the "Hotel Royal-Savoy". (Swimming pool in small hotel park)

Day 7: Saturday
Lausanne - Genf (40 miles)
Although now out of the Alps, today's route is the most "mountainous" of the tour. After riding six miles along the lakeshore you'll arrive at the "Côte" and it's famous vineyards. From here you'll enjoy splendid views over the Lake to the Savoy Alps and sometimes to the Mont Blanc. Then continue on little roads through a wonderful vineyard landscape and forest, arriving between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. at the Geneva airport. In case of extreme heat or rain, the tour will end in Nyon where train connections will bring you to the Geneva airport or train station.

Arrival:
Arrival on Saturday in St. Gallen. Direct train connections from Zurich airport in one hour's time (every 30 minutes). At the end of the tour the nearest airport is Geneva. Your room is reserved at the "Hotel Walhalla" (near St. Gallen central station), one of the best addresses in town (overnight stay and breakfast are included in the package).

At 4:00 p.m. you are invited for a 90-minute sightseeing tour through the historic town center and to the famous Benedictine Abbey.