Day trips with a motorbike: four Swiss tours by motorcycle
Planning a ride out for the day? There are many beautiful tours in Switzerland. Here are four top motorbike routes shared by Comparis users.
18.09.2024
Adobe Stock/Andreas Haas
1. Trans-Alpine tour from north to south
This motorcycle tour offers a mix of Alpine scenery, picturesque lakes and charming towns. You start at Forggensee in Bavaria and drive through the Austrian Tyrol and the Swiss Alps to Lake Maggiore in Italy.
Duration: approx. 7 hours (without breaks)
Length: approx. 360km
Level: experienced motorcycle riders
Google Earth
What makes the route special?
The route takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of the Alps, with many curves and scenic highlights to delight any motorcycle enthusiast.
The day trip is ideal for motorcyclists who are looking for a combination of adventure, culture and nature and who have a preference for mountain and lake landscapes.
Schedule at least an entire day for the ride. The tour is an insider tip from X user Benjamin Hanimann.
From Forggensee to St. Moritz
Start at Forggensee and head south. The tour takes you through the Allgäu, across the border into Austria and on through Tyrol. You cross the Alps and finally reach St. Moritz in Switzerland. This journey takes about three hours and 21 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the Alpine landscape.
From St. Moritz to Lugano
From St. Moritz, continue your journey south through Switzerland. You’ll cross the Engadine and ride by some impressive lakes. The route takes you to Lugano, a city with a Mediterranean atmosphere. This section takes about two hours and 37 minutes and leads through varied and spectacular landscapes.
Continue your journey to Italy
After Lugano, continue in a southwesterly direction and cross the border into Italy. You’ll pass small towns and ride along scenic stretches until you reach Lavena Ponte Tresa. This short ride will take about 17 minutes.
Arrival at Lake Maggiore
From Lavena Ponte Tresa, continue the tour until you reach Lake Maggiore. You’ll ride through idyllic villages and enjoy the view of the lake until you reach Porto Valtravaglia. This ride will take about 26 minutes.
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and tranquility of the lake.
2. Half-day tour through Jura
On this tour, you’ll experience a section of the Jura mountains in Switzerland. It starts in the charming village of Zwingen, continues via Delémont and ends in the watchmaking town of Biel.
Duration: approx. 2 hours (without breaks)
Length: approx. 90km
Level: experienced motorcycle riders
Google Earth
What makes the route special?
The route includes varied sections with winding pass roads and leads over mountains and through valleys – ideal for a relaxed ride through the Jura region.
The route is suitable for riders who feel comfortable on narrow mountain roads. Make sure that you plan at least half a day for the ride. The tour is a tip from X user Michael S. Vökt.
From Zwingen to the Passwang Pass
Start in Zwingen and ride south on several minor roads. The route takes you through various villages before reaching Passwang Pass. This winding route takes about 23 minutes and is 18.7km long.
From Passwang Pass to Schelten
From Passwang Pass, continue in a southeasterly direction and then turn a sharp right and proceed in the direction of Schelten. This section offers you a quiet ride through picturesque countryside and takes about 17 minutes at a distance of 13.3km.
From Schelten to Delémont
The journey continues through small villages and over hilly roads to Delémont. This route takes about 22 minutes and is 16.6km long.
From Delémont to Biel
From Delémont, continue your journey west and finally follow the main road to Biel. This last stage is 45 minutes long and stretches over 38.8km.
3. Around Lake Zurich
This tour allows you to enjoy Lake Zurich from every angle. The route takes you from Zurich through Meilen to Rapperswil-Jona – and on to Albispass.
Duration: approx. one and a half hours
Length: approx. 67km
Level: all motorcycle riders
Google Earth
What makes the route special?
The tour combines urban flair, lake landscapes and winding roads – ideal for a spontaneous motorcycle ride.
Plan for about half a day for a relaxed ride including several steps. During the week, you should try to avoid evening traffic.
The tour is a tip from Comparis user Susanne Mächler.
From Zurich to Meilen
Start in Zurich and follow the route along Lake Zurich. The journey to Meilen takes about 28 minutes and covers 16.6km. Enjoy a wonderful view of the lake and the surrounding hills.
From Meilen to Rapperswil-Jona
From Meilen, continue your journey along the lakeside Seestrasse, which continues along the shores of Lake Zurich. This section is characterized by gentle curves and beautiful views of the lake. This route takes about 22 minutes and is 16.2km long.
From Rapperswil-Jona to Albispass
Ride through Rapperswil-Jona and head southwest towards Schindellegi. This route takes you through rural areas and hilly landscapes before reaching the winding roads of Albispass. This last stage lasts about 41 minutes and stretches over 34.3km.
4. Around Pilatus: Sarnen–Entlebuch–Malters
On this tour, you’ll experience central Switzerland from a number of angles. The route leads from Sarnen in the direction of Entlebuch and then around Pilatus back to Sarnen.
Duration: approx. one hour and 40 minutes
Length: approx. 77km
Level: experienced motorcycle riders
Google Earth
What makes the route special?
A highlight of the tour is Entlebuch, a UNESCO biosphere reserve that is valued for its pristine nature and diverse flora and fauna.
The tour is suitable for experienced motorcycle enthusiasts who want to enjoy the charm of central Switzerland.
Set aside half a day for the tour.
From Sarnen to Entlebuch
Start in Sarnen and head north. The route takes you along Schwanderstrasse and Glaubenbergstrasse, past dense forests and lush meadows. The route offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. This section is about 30.9km long and takes about 36 minutes.
From Entlebuch to Malters
From Entlebuch, you’ll continue your journey on quieter roads that wind through sleepy villages and over rolling hills. The rural atmosphere and the expansive landscapes make this section particularly attractive. This part of the route is about 12.8km long and takes 17 minutes.
From Malters back to Sarnen
The return trip to Sarnen leads through varied scenery and offers a pleasant mix of rural charm and well-developed roads. This last stage covers about 33km and lasts 48 minutes.
Properly insured on two wheels?
Motorcycle rides always come with risks. Appropriate motorcycle equipment is therefore absolutely necessary.
What’s more, it’s a good idea to have motorcycle insurance that is tailored to your needs. This is because the premiums and benefits sometimes vary greatly. It’s always worth comparing.
This article was first published on 28.05.2015
